HS Code:
This category includes footwear for persons other than women, with uppers made of leather (excluding pigskin) and outer soles of rubber or plastics. It excludes house slippers, work footwear, specific athletic shoes (tennis, basketball, gym, training), slip-on footwear, and footwear covering the ankle. The footwear must be valued at $18 per pair or higher and designed for protection against water, oil, grease, chemicals, or cold/inclement weather, with water protection provided by laminated textile fabric. Additionally, it excludes women's footwear valued over $27 per pair or, if over $20 per pair, featuring moisture-venting designs. Classified under HS Code 6403.99.90, this category represents a niche segment of protective and durable footwear in global trade, often used in outdoor or industrial settings.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $1.2 billion USD
Data from 2022
Source
International Trade Centre (ITC) Trade Map, UN Comtrade Database
$320 million USD
26.7% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$250 million USD
20.8% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$180 million USD
15.0% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$150 million USD
12.5% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
$100 million USD
8.3% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
9.5% ad valorem
Highest Rate
20% (applied by certain developing countries and regions with protective measures)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Vietnam FTA or USMCA)
Rising demand for sustainable materials
Increased use of eco-friendly leather alternatives and recycled plastics in soles, driven by consumer and regulatory pressure, affecting production costs and market positioning.
2021-2023
Growth in e-commerce sales
Direct-to-consumer sales of protective footwear have surged, benefiting exporters with strong online presence and logistics networks.
2020-2022
Shift in production to Southeast Asia
Lower labor costs and trade agreements have boosted production in Vietnam and India, challenging traditional European exporters like Italy.
2019-2023
The EVFTA, fully implemented in 2022, has reduced tariffs on Vietnamese footwear exports to the EU, boosting Vietnam's market share in this category.
August 2022
Vietnamese exports grew by 15% year-on-year, intensifying competition for European manufacturers.
Ongoing Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods have indirectly benefited other exporters like Vietnam and India as US importers seek alternative sources.
January 2023
Shift in US import patterns, with Vietnam's share increasing by 10% since tariffs were imposed.
The EU introduced stricter regulations on leather sourcing and chemical use in footwear production to promote sustainability.
March 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters, potentially reducing profit margins for non-compliant producers.