HS Code:
This category pertains to women's footwear with outer soles and uppers made of rubber or plastics, excluding vulcanized footwear, waterproof molded bottoms, and protective designs incomplete as imported. Specifically, this includes footwear valued over $25 per pair, not covering the ankle, without a protective metal-toe cap, and designed as a protective alternative against water, oil, grease, chemicals, or inclement weather. The protection against water is provided by a coated textile fabric of at least 9 microns in thickness. Classified under HS Code 6402.99.33, this category targets high-value, specialized protective footwear for women used in challenging environments.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $1.2 billion USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database, International Trade Centre (ITC)
$450 million USD
37.5% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$300 million USD
25.0% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$150 million USD
12.5% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$100 million USD
8.3% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$80 million USD
6.7% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
12% ad valorem
Highest Rate
25% (applied by certain developing countries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under specific free trade agreements like EU-Vietnam FTA)
Rising demand for sustainable materials
Increased production of eco-friendly rubber and plastic footwear using recycled materials, driven by consumer and regulatory pressures in markets like the EU and US.
2021-2023
Shift in manufacturing bases
Relocation of production from China to Vietnam and India due to lower labor costs and favorable trade agreements, impacting global supply chains.
2020-2022
Growth in e-commerce sales
Direct-to-consumer sales of specialized footwear have surged, with online platforms facilitating access to niche protective products for women.
2020-2023
The European Union reviewed anti-dumping duties on certain rubber and plastic footwear from China, maintaining tariffs to protect local manufacturers.
March 2023
This sustains higher costs for Chinese exports to the EU, potentially benefiting competitors like Vietnam and India.
Updates to the USMCA agreement have tightened rules of origin for footwear, requiring more regional content for duty-free access to the US market.
January 2023
Manufacturers in Mexico gain a competitive edge over Asian exporters for high-value protective footwear.
The EVFTA has progressively reduced tariffs on Vietnamese footwear exports to the EU, reaching 0% for many categories by 2023.
August 2022
Boosts Vietnamโs market share in the EU for womenโs protective footwear, challenging traditional exporters like China.