Import specialist Richard Foley addresses the public

The national import specialist’s expertise is in great demand, given that duty rates on footwear can range from free to a whopping 48 percent. Due to the complexity of footwear classification, importers are anxious to seek out the NIS for advice and guidance on the classification of their footwear imports, even before they are designed and manufactured. Component materials, gender designation, weight, value, use and construction are all factors that are considered in the determination of the tariff classification for shoes. Slight modifications in construction can save an importer thousands of dollars in duty, so when Rich gives advice, it is taken very seriously.

In the competitive and trendy footwear industry where orders are often placed six months in advance, Rich's outreach sessions provide importers with timely insight regarding recent Court of International Trade decisions, rulings and decisions from the Harmonized Tariff Committee and their impact on footwear classification. Rich's seminars are such an indispensable tool for importers who are endeavoring to meet CBP's informed compliance requirements that his presentations are attended by all the big players in the footwear industry.

Rich's outreach seminars are highly popular, but they can also be quite contentious! The participants often challenge the NIS with new sample designs and concepts, as they are given the unique opportunity to go one-on-one with CBP's resident expert on HTSUSA Chapter 64 issues. Never daunted, Rich welcomes the challenge and truly enjoys explaining the many intricacies of footwear construction and classification concepts.

And now, for all of you footwear aficionados, Rich has provided responses to the questions at the beginning of the article: For the most part, only sneakers are classified in the provision for athletic footwear. Sports footwear is the kind used in serious sporting activities and would include shoes with cleats or spikes. A foxing-like band is any component applied or molded at the sole that overlaps the upper, and its presence generally results in a higher duty rate. Accessories or reinforcements are materials added to otherwise complete uppers, which may affect the external surface area measurements, and consequently the duty rate.