{"id":1283,"date":"2020-03-10T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-10T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/examinechina.com\/blog\/?p=1283"},"modified":"2025-06-16T09:51:42","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T07:51:42","slug":"us-tariffs-on-shoes-from-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/us-tariffs-on-shoes-from-china\/","title":{"rendered":"US tariffs on shoes from China"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Footwear is an indispensable element of our everyday life. What is more, different occasions and circumstances require different kinds of shoes to protect or embellish our feet. After all, we cannot wear trainers for a business meeting or high heels for a mountain hike. That is why the footwear industry is significant and expanding according to consumer needs. Moreover, entrepreneurs are willing to turn to Chinese producers, as they offer goods of increasing quality at reasonable prices. Having considered the needs of those who are planning to import footwear from China, we would like to present a handful of useful information. One of the most crucial is the US tariffs on shoes from China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shoe production areas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>China is the leading footwear producer regarding the number of pairs produced every year (over 12 billion). Most of the factories are based in eastern China, mainly in <a href=\"https:\/\/examinechina.com\/blog\/wenzhou-footwear-production-area-in-china\/\">Wenzhou<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/examinechina.com\/blog\/industries-in-zhejiang-province-china\/\">Zhejiang<\/a> province). There are over 3000 shoe-producing factories in that region, mostly for the domestic market. Among the leaders, there is also Dongguan city (Guangdong province), with around 1500 factories producing 65% of shoes made in China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another major area is Jinjiang city in Fujian province, renowned for advanced production technology, as well as Jiangsu province. It is worth checking manufacturers in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Quanzhou<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Guangzhou<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yangzhou<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fuzhou<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Qingdao<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dongguan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shenzhen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"http:\/\/examinechina.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/importing-shoes-from-china-manufacturers-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Importing shoes from China manufacturers\" class=\"wp-image-2182 lazyload\" style=\"width:700px\"\/><noscript><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/examinechina.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/importing-shoes-from-china-manufacturers-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Importing shoes from China manufacturers\" class=\"wp-image-2182 lazyload\" style=\"width:700px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/importing-shoes-from-china-manufacturers-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/importing-shoes-from-china-manufacturers-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/importing-shoes-from-china-manufacturers-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/importing-shoes-from-china-manufacturers.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How high are US tariffs on shoes from China?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Payment of customs duty is an obligation that concerns every importer buying products from China. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/hts.usitc.gov\" target=\"_blank\">Harmonized Tariff Schedule System<\/a> provided by the United States International Trade Commission can help you find out about the current rates. If you need it, you can use a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usitc.gov\/documents\/hts_external_guide.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">guide<\/a>. Below, we present a list of exemplary products and tariff rates:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>6401.10.0000 \u2013 rain boots\nincorporating a protective metal toe-cap (37.5%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6401.92.3000 \u2013 ski-boots\nand snowboard boots (0%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6401.92.6000 \u2013 waterproof\nfootwear covering the ankle, made of poly(vinyl chloride) (4.6%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6401.92.90 \u2013 other\nwaterproof footwear covering the ankle, but not covering the knee (upper soles\nand uppers of rubber or plastic) (37.5%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6401.99.1000 \u2013 waterproof\nfootwear covering the knee (37.5%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6402.19 \u2013 footwear with\nouter soles and uppers made of rubber or plastics, depending on value\/pair (0%\n&#8211; 76\u00a2\/pr. + 32%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6402.20.0000 \u2013 flip-flops\n(zoris) (0%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6402.91.8005 \u2013 tennis\nshoes, basketball shoes, gym shoes, training shoes made of synthetics (90\u00a2\/pr.\n+ 20%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6402.99.3110 \u2013 house\nslippers made of rubber or plastics (6%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6402.99.4920 \u2013 house\nslippers having outer soles with textile materials (37,5%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6403.20.0000 \u2013 leather\nsandals (0%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6403.51 \u2013 leather shoes\ncovering the ankle, depending on value and materials used (0% &#8211; 10%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6404.11 \u2013 sports footwear\nwith uppers of textile materials, depending on soles materials (7,5% &#8211; 48%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6404.19.15 \u2013 footwear\ncontaining textile materials with uppers made over 50% of leather (10,5%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6405.90.2000 \u2013 disposable\nfootwear (one-time use) (3,8%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6406 \u2013 parts of footwear\n(0% &#8211; 33,6%) <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The\nexamples presented above show that tariffs on shoes are ranging from 0% up to 48%.\nThe tariff depends on the used materials, as well as their value. There are\nnumerous (over 430) categories in the system, and tariffs may vary depending on\na range of criteria. Therefore, we encourage you to search for specific\nfootwear categories in the system.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"http:\/\/examinechina.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shoes-from-China-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Shoes from china\" class=\"wp-image-1286 lazyload\" style=\"width:600px\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/examinechina.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shoes-from-China-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Shoes from china\" class=\"wp-image-1286 lazyload\" style=\"width:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shoes-from-China-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shoes-from-China-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shoes-from-China-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/shoes-from-China.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional obligations and a bit of advice for importers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Footwear\nis one of the product groups that need to be thoroughly checked for compliance\nwith standards and regulations before being introduced to the market.\nOtherwise, your company might be exposed to severe financial losses and be\nobliged to send products back to China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shoes\nimported to the United States must meet the following standards:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ASTM F-2412-2005 Standard Test Methods for Foot Protection (Protective Footwear)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ASTM F-2413-2005 Standard Specification for Performance Requirements (Protective Footwear)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ANSI Z41-1999 American National Standard for Personal Protection (Protective Footwear)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ANSI Z41-1991 American National Standard for Personal Protection (Protective Footwear)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CSPIA requirements for children&#8217;s footwear (ASTM F963 lab testing, Tracking Label, Children\u2019s Product Certificate)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>labeling requirements\n(textile and leather labeling, country of origin).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart\nfrom compliance with the standards mentioned above, it is also worth\nconsidering other aspects such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity; some of the factories might demand a minimum of a few hundred up to 1000 pairs, which makes this factor worth paying close attention to)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>shipping (as shoes packed in boxes take up a lot of space, it might be necessary to ship via sea freight)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>providing a detailed product specification<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certificates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BSCI audit reports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">US tariffs on shoes from China &#8211; footwear fairs in China<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to get familiar with different producers\u2019 offers and establish business relations, visiting a trade fair related to a given field might be the best way. Below we have prepared a list of events that might be of interest to shoe importers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Shoes &amp; Leather Guangzhou<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Location:\nChina Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Official website: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.toprepute.com.hk\/shoes-and-leather-guangzhou\/\" target=\"_blank\">toprepute.com.hk\/shoes-and-leather-guangzhou<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cool Kids Fashion Shanghai<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Location:\nNational Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Official website: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.coolkidsfashion.com\/en\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\">coolkidsfashion.com\/en\/about<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Shanghai International Shoes Expo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Location:\nShanghai World Expo Exhibition &amp; Convention Center, Shanghai<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Official website: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/www.shanghaishoesexpo.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\">shanghaishoesexpo.com\/en<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Canton Fair Phase 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Location:\nChina Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Official website: <a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/cantonfair.org.cn\/en\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">cantonfair.org.cn\/en\/index.aspx<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Footwear is an indispensable element of our everyday life. What is more, different occasions and circumstances require different kinds of shoes to protect or embellish our feet. After all, we cannot wear trainers for a business meeting or high heels &#8230; <a title=\"US tariffs on shoes from China\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/us-tariffs-on-shoes-from-china\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about US tariffs on shoes from China\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1285,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,221],"tags":[176,164,220,100,218],"class_list":["post-1283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-import","category-production-regions","tag-china-products","tag-china-trade-shows","tag-production-region","tag-us-duty-rates","tag-us-tariffs","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1283","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1283"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1283\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9071,"href":"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1283\/revisions\/9071"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1285"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1283"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1283"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.examinechina.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}