Waterproof footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber — HTS 6401
Waterproof footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics, the uppers of which are neither fixed to the sole nor assembled by stitching, riveting, nailing, screwing, plugging or similar processes
Chapter 64 › Heading 6401
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 6401 is a four-digit product category for waterproof footwear with outer soles and uppers made of rubber or plastics. The footwear is constructed so the upper is not attached to the sole by stitching, riveting, nailing, screwing, plugging, or a similar process. This category commonly covers molded or vulcanized waterproof shoes, boots, and similar footwear, but the exact product must meet all heading conditions.
To narrow a heading 6401 item to its specific 8-digit HTSUS subheading, first verify the construction and materials, then follow the subheadings for the relevant footwear type and other distinguishing features. Depending on the tariff schedule, those distinctions may include whether the item is a boot or other footwear, its height or intended coverage, the material composition, gender or wearer classification, and other listed characteristics. Use the current HTSUS wording and legal notes, and obtain broker or customs classification advice when the construction is unusual or features overlap.
What to check
- Confirm that the footwear is genuinely waterproof or designed as waterproof footwear, rather than merely water-resistant.
- Verify that both the outer sole and upper are rubber or plastics, and document any textile, leather, foam, or other material components.
- Inspect how the upper is attached to the sole; stitching, riveting, nailing, screwing, plugging, or similar attachment may place the item outside heading 6401.
- Identify the footwear type and every feature stated in the 8-digit subheadings, such as boot height, wearer category, or other listed distinctions.
- Compare the product specifications, photographs, samples, and manufacturing description with the current HTSUS text; ask a customs broker or seek a binding ruling if the classification is uncertain.
HTS heading 6401 summary
Waterproof footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber is a 4-digit product category containing 1 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6401.10.00.00 👉 | Footwear incorporating a protective metal toe-cap | 37.5% | Free | 75% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 6401?
Waterproof footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics, the uppers of which are neither fixed to the sole nor assembled by stitching, riveting, nailing, screwing, plugging or similar processes. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.