How to classify a tennis shoe

Question

rubber sole, synthetic fabric

The Trade Hub · Answer

Customs classification EU CN / TARIC Most probable CN code retained typical “tennis shoe” 6404 11 00 — Footwear with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materials: Sports footwear; tennis shoes, basketball shoes, gym shoes, training shoes and the like. This is the default and most defensible classification if the product is objectively sports footwear marketed/constructed for playing tennis or training grip outsole geometry for court use, support/stability build, performance design, etc.. --- Classification reasoning GRI methodology Step 1 — Chapter / Heading selection GRI 1 - The product is footwear → Chapter 64. - Outer sole: rubber + upper: synthetic fabric textile → heading 6404 footwear with outer soles of rubber/plastics and uppers of textile materials. Operationally, the EU approach is to determine: - Upper = material covering the greatest external area excluding accessories/reinforcements - Outer sole = material with the greatest area in contact with the ground Step 2 — Subheading selection GRI 6 Within 6404, the key split is: - 6404 11 00 = sports footwear including tennis shoes and the like - 6404 19 90 commonly used residual in practice = other footwear of heading 6404 when it is not objectively sports footwear e.g., “sneaker”/casual style, even if it resembles a tennis shoe. --- Critical compliance point why 6404 11 00 can be challenged EU BTI/classification practice regularly rejects 6404 11 00 when the shoe is not designed for sporting activity, even if it looks like a tennis shoe. - A recent EU classification act explicitly notes that classification under 6404 11 00 is excluded for certain footwear based on its objective characteristics. Operational takeaway: do not classify as 6404 11 00 solely because the product is called “tennis shoe” commercially; ensure it meets the objective sports-footwear criteria design/function. --- Definitive decision rule you can apply internally no ambiguity 1. If it is objectively sports footwear performance tennis/training → CN 6404 11 00. 2. If it is a casual sneaker / lifestyle shoe with textile upper and rubber sole even “tennis-inspired” → CN 6404 19 90 other footwear. --- Practical documentation to secure the classification audit-ready For your classification file EU customs audit / broker instructions, retain: - Product technical sheet + marketing description sport vs lifestyle positioning - Photos upper material, outsole contact area, reinforcements - Material breakdown confirming upper = textile and outer sole = rubber/plastic per EU approach - If high volume / sensitive duty rates: obtain a Binding Tariff Information BTI to lock the code EU-wide. --- Sources as provided - Commission Regulation EU No 1209/2014 – CN wording incl. “tennis shoes … and the like”https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32014R1209 - OJ L202400965 – example where 6404 11 00 was excluded based on characteristicshttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L202400965 - European Commission – Access2Markets guidance: how to determine upper/outer sole materialshttps://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/classifying-footwear - Access2Markets result page for 6404.19.90 used as “other footwear” buckethttps://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/results?product=64041990&origin=DE&destination=LU > ⚠️ This analysis is provided for information only and does not constitute legal advice. For operations engaging your liability, consult a customs representative or specialized counsel.

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How to classify a tennis shoe