The tariff classification of footwear from China

N197065 January 6, 2012 CLA-2-64:OT:RR:NC:N4:447 Mr. Vahe Karrian Pacific Century Customs Service 2936 Columbia Street Torrance, CA 90503 TARIFF NO.: 6402.99.3165 RE: The tariff classification of footwear from China Dear Mr. Karrian: In your letter dated December 8, 2011 you requested a tariff classification ruling on behalf of your client, Touchsport Footwear USA, Inc. for four styles of women’s footwear. The submitted sample identified as style WIC #426098, is an open toe/heel “unisex slide sandal” with a rubber or plastics outer sole. The upper consists of an approximately 2 ½ inch wide rubber or plastics Velcro® hook and loop closure strap at the vamp of the sandal. The submitted sandal identified as style WIC #426152, is a women’s open toe/heel thong sandal with a rubber or plastics “wedge” mid/outer sole. The “V” shaped upper consists of two 3/16th of an inch wide rubber or plastics braided straps with overlays that are completely covered with plastic glitter. The applicable subheading for both sandals, styles WIC #426098 and WIC #426152 will be 6402.99.3165, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics: other footwear: other: other: having uppers of which over 90 percent of the external surface area (including any accessories or reinforcements) is rubber or plastics (except footwear having a foxing or a foxing-like band applied or molded at the sole and overlapping the upper and except footwear designed to be worn over, or in lieu of, other footwear as a protection against water, oil, grease or chemicals or cold or inclement weather): other: other: other: for women. The rate of duty will be 6 percent ad valorem. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. In reference to style 3608W (option 1, cotton upper and option 2, man-made upper), we are returning your request for a ruling and any related samples, exhibits, etc.  This letter concerns your request for a classification ruling under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) for footwear with an outer sole composed, in part, of textile material.  On October 31, 2011, the President of the United States proclaimed the enactment of the modifications to the HTSUS set forth in Investigation No. 1205-8, which was conducted by the U.S. International Trade Commission pursuant to Section 1205(a) of the Omnibus Competitiveness Act of 1988 (19 U.S.C. §3005(a). These modifications, effective on December 3, 2011 per Federal Register Vol. 26 No. 213, dated November 3, 2011, include the addition of the new Additional U.S. Note 5 to Chapter 64, HTSUS (Note 5), which states, the following: For the purposes of determining the constituent material of the outer sole pursuant to Note 4(b) to this Chapter, no account shall be taken of textile materials which do not possess the characteristics usually required for normal use of an outer sole, including durability and strength. At this time, CBP is considering the interpretation of the note and the best method of communicating its proposed interpretation of the note. Such a determination will be made in the near future. For the present, CBP does not intend to issue prospective rulings on textile-soled footwear for outdoor use. Once that process is concluded, CBP intends to resume issuing prospective rulings. You may, if you wish, resubmit your request for a prospective ruling at that time. In the interim, as with other provisions of the HTSUS, you should use reasonable care to determine whether Note 5 applies to your merchandise. 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 Stacey Kalkines at (646) 733-3042. Sincerely, Thomas J. Russo Director National Commodity Specialist Division