The tariff classification of a soft textile shoe from China.

NY F84202 March 22, 2000 CLA-2-64:RR:NC:TP:347 F84202 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 6405.20.30 Mr. Vincent Yung International Sales Group 1860 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste 413 Honolulu, Hawaii, USA 96815 RE: The tariff classification of a soft textile shoe from China. Dear Mr. Yung: In your letter dated March 6, 2000, you requested a tariff classification ruling. You have submitted a sample of what you refer to as a “cotton terry slipper” which is a slip-on shoe made up of a cotton upper with a closed toe and an open heel. The sole is made of a soft textile material that is covered with an evenly spaced pattern of what we assume to be protruding rubber/plastic dots. The dots are slightly rounded on the ground contact side and are about 2 mm in diameter. Due to the soft textile outer sole and lack of a semi-rigid midsole, more of the textile material contacts the ground than rubber/plastics. Therefore, the constituent material of the outer sole for this shoe is considered to be textile. The applicable subheading for the textile shoe will be 6405.20.30, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provides for footwear in which the sole’s external surface is predominately other than rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather, in which the upper’s external surface is predominately textile materials, in which there is a line of demarcation between the sole and the upper, and in which the upper, by weight, predominately consists of vegetable fibers such as cotton or flax (lining, accessories and reinforcements not included). The rate of duty will be 7.5% ad valorem. We also note that the submitted sample is not marked with the country of origin. Therefore, if imported as is, the sample submitted will not meet the country of origin marking requirement of 19 U.S.C. 1304. Accordingly, the shoes would be considered not legally marked under the provisions of 19 C.F.R 134.11 which states “every article of foreign origin (or its container) imported into the U.S. shall be marked in a conspicuous place as legibly, indelibly, and permanently as the nature of the article (or container) will permit.” This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177). A copy of the ruling or the control number indicated above should be provided with the entry documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If you have any questions regarding the ruling, contact National Import Specialist Richard Foley at 212-637-7089. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director, National Commodity Specialist Division