HS code for sneakers: candidates and classification factors
Short answer
There is no single sneaker code. A textile-upper athletic shoe with a rubber or plastic sole points to 6404.11, a casual textile sneaker to 6404.19, and leather or synthetic-leather uppers move the shoe to headings 6403 or 6402.
This output is general information at the 6-digit level only. The final classification for any entry must be determined by a licensed customs broker or the importer. This page is not a classification of your product.
Footwear is classified by measurable materials, not by style. Chapter 64 looks at the outer sole and at the material of the upper with the greatest external surface area, ignoring accessories such as eyelet stays, heel tabs or edging. CBP rulings on sneakers spread across several subheadings for exactly that reason.
Six-digit candidates to research
| Subheading | Official text (source) | May fit when | May not fit when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6404.11 | Footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of textile materials: › Footwear with outer soles of rubber or plastics: ›Sports footwear; tennis shoes, basketball shoes, gym shoes, training shoes and the like: | Uppers mainly of textile (knit or mesh) with rubber or plastic outer soles, designed for running, training, court sports or gym use. | The upper is mainly leather or plastic, or the shoe is a casual style without athletic design. Facts needed: Upper material by surface area · Outer sole material · Intended sport or activity |
| 6404.19 | Footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of textile materials: › Footwear with outer soles of rubber or plastics: ›Other: | A casual textile-upper sneaker, such as a canvas lace-up or slip-on, with a rubber or plastic outer sole. | The shoe is designed for a sport, or textile is not the upper material with the greatest surface area. Facts needed: Upper material · Casual or athletic design |
| 6402.99 | Other footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics: › Other footwear: ›Other: | Uppers mainly of rubber or plastics — including many synthetic-leather (PU) sneakers — with rubber or plastic soles, not covering the ankle. | Textile or genuine leather is the main upper material, or the shoe covers the ankle. Facts needed: Whether “synthetic leather” is plastic-coated · Ankle coverage |
| 6403.99 | Footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather: › Other footwear: ›Other: | Uppers mainly of genuine leather, with rubber or plastic outer soles, not covering the ankle. | Leather is only trim, or the shoe covers the ankle (6403.91). Facts needed: Leather surface area · Ankle coverage |
Official text from the U.S. International Trade Commission, 2026 HTS Revision 21, retrieved October 14, 2026. Page last reviewed October 15, 2026.
Facts that change the classification
- Upper material by external surface area
- Measure which material covers the most external area of the upper — textile, rubber or plastics, or leather. Accessories and reinforcements are not counted.
- Outer sole material
- The sole material with the greatest surface in contact with the ground matters. Most sneakers have rubber or plastic outer soles; leather or textile soles change the analysis.
- Athletic design
- Subheading 6404.11 names tennis, basketball, gym and training shoes. Cushioning, support features and the intended activity help show whether a textile shoe is sports footwear or casual footwear.
- Ankle coverage
- For rubber, plastic and leather uppers, whether the shoe covers the ankle can change the subheading.
Common mistakes
- Classifying by the material that feels most premium, such as leather overlays.
Measure the external surface area of each upper material. Overlays that cover less area than the mesh do not control.
- Calling every sneaker “sports footwear.”
Casual lifestyle sneakers often fall outside 6404.11. Describe the intended activity and athletic features.
- Treating “vegan leather” as leather.
Plastic-coated synthetics are usually rubber or plastics for footwear purposes, which points to heading 6402.
Examples
“Running shoe, engineered knit polyester upper with TPU heel counter, EVA midsole, rubber outsole”
- Textile upper by surface area
- Rubber outer sole
- Designed for running
These facts point research toward 6404.11.
“Low-top fashion sneaker, PU synthetic-leather upper, rubber cupsole”
- Plastic-coated upper
- Does not cover the ankle
- Casual design
These facts move research away from heading 6404 and toward 6402.99.
CBP rulings to read
Rulings apply to the specific facts presented to CBP. Read them for the reasoning rather than copying a code.
- 082774 6403.99 · November 29, 1989
Classification of external surface area of sneakers
- H302976 6404.11 · January 11, 2022
Revocation of NY N285583 and NY N299433; The tariff classification of footwear from China.
- N307415 6404.19 · December 3, 2019
The tariff classification of footwear from China
- N358622 6402.99 · February 27, 2026
The tariff classification and status under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), of men’s footwear produced in El Salvador.
Frequently asked questions
What if a sneaker has both mesh and leather on the upper?
Compare the external surface area of each material, ignoring accessories and reinforcements. The material with the greatest area generally decides which heading applies.
Do high-top sneakers use a different code?
They can. For rubber, plastic and leather uppers, footwear covering the ankle has its own subheadings. Textile-upper footwear in heading 6404 is not split that way at the six-digit level.
Is the six-digit candidate enough for a U.S. customs entry?
No. The six-digit HS level is general information and a research starting point. The importer or a licensed customs broker must determine the complete U.S. classification used for any entry.
Related product guides
Research your exact product
Describe your item in plain language. HTS Assist searches the active USITC tariff schedule, legal notes and CBP rulings, ranks six-digit candidates with a confidence score, and asks about the facts that could change the result.
This output is general information at the 6-digit level only. The final classification for any entry must be determined by a licensed customs broker or the importer.