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Importing shoes can be a reliable and lucrative way to make money. Fast fashion is a booming industry and the demand for shoes will never go away. However, you’ll need to follow an array of requirements dictated by different federal agencies to import footwear into the country.
Key takeaways:
Our comprehensive guide below provides you with everything you need to know to import shoes into the U.S.
When importing shoes into the U.S., you’ll need to satisfy the requirements of various federal agencies.
CBP will want you to provide some basic documentation for your goods. They’ll also want you to provide a footwear declaration for your shoes before they enter the country. The FTC enforces strict labeling requirements for most textile and wool products.
If you’re importing children’s footwear, CPSC will want you to prove your products are free of any hazardous substances. Shoes that qualify as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will need to abide by OSHA requirements.
USDA guidelines will need to be followed if your shoes are labeled as made from organic materials. In the following sections, I’ll discuss each agency’s regulations in more detail.
The Interim Footwear Invoice (IFI) is a Footwear Declaration Form that provides specific details on the shoes being imported. CBP requires this document be provided to ensure your shipment meets all customs requirements for importing shoes.
This includes:
Once you have filled in all the information, you will need to sign and date the bottom of the form before sending it to CBP. Each type of shoe being imported must be accompanied by its own separate IFI.
The form itself can be a bit confusing to fill out if you don’t have all the details it requires. If there is a question that you are unsure of, be sure to reach out to the manufacturer to get the correct information. It is never a good idea to simply guess when filling out this document.
In addition to the IFI, you’ll have to provide some other paperwork that’s essential for importing.
Other documents might be required based on the specifics of your import. For example, if you’re trying to get preferential treatment under a free trade agreement (FTA), you’ll need a certificate of origin.
Related: Documents Needed To Import and Export
Generally, shoes aren’t required to adhere by the FTC’s labeling requirements unless they’re made of leather. If your shoes are made of leather or imitation leather, you’ll need to adhere to the FTC’s guides located in Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 24.
The purpose of these guides is to ensure you don’t misrepresent the characteristics of your footwear. I’ve listed the requirements that you’ll be expected to follow.
You should also avoid misusing any of the following terms:
When importing shoes that contain fur, you’ll need to comply with the requirements of the Fur Products Labeling Act (FPLA). The labeling for this kind of footwear should disclose an assortment of information.
This includes:
The information you provide on the label should also appear on the invoice and the advertising used for the footwear. Shoes made with wool must adhere to the Wool Products Labeling Act.
This law will require you to attach a label that discloses the following:
The FPLA and Wool Products Labeling Act will require you to keep records on your shoe imports for a duration of three years.
The CPSC regulates the importation of footwear that’s meant to be worn by children. A children's product is any item that’s intended for kids aged 12 or younger.
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) limits the amount of lead content and phthalates in children’s products. Footwear must not have a lead content over 100 parts per million (PPM) and paint or similar surface coating should not exceed 90 PPM. There are also tracking label requirements you’ll have to follow when importing children’s shoes.
A children’s footwear tracking label should be visible, legible, and located on the shoes and packaging. The CPSIA wants you to obtain a certificate of conformity for children’s footwear as well. It must state your product complies with all applicable standards.
Your certificate of conformity should accompany your cargo and be given to the retailer or distributor. The manufacturer who made your footwear must certify their products comply with the applicable standards by issuing a product certificate. This certificate should be supported by tests from one of the CPCS’s accredited third-party testing laboratories.
You’ll need to be aware of the CPSC’s rules on sharp points and edges on children’s products. These typically don’t apply to footwear. However, if the children’s shoes you’re importing do have sharp points and edges, the CPSC could request a recall from the manufacturer or issue a mandatory recall.
Therefore, you should check if there are any active recalls on the children’s shoes you want to import. The CPSC also regulates the Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles. It offers methods of testing the flammability of clothing products. This standard differentiates fabrics into three classes.
Footwear isn’t subject to these requirements, unless it consists of hosiery in part or whole and aren’t affixed to the shoes or form an integral part of another garment.
Shoes that qualify as personal protective equipment (PPE) will be subject to OSHA’s regulations. PPE refers to any type of clothing or gear that protects from different hazards in a workplace environment. Your footwear will need to comply with one or more standards to satisfy OSHA’s requirements.
These include:
Title 29 part 1910.136 in subpart I of the CFR will provide you with more details on these standards. If you need further assistance, then get into contact with one of our licensed customs brokers.
We work with you every step of the way to ensure a smooth and stress-free customs experience.
As strange as it might seem, your footwear may be subject to USDA regulations. USDA regulates organic agricultural products under the National Organic Program (NOP).
Footwear that’s produced in full compliance with this regulation can be labeled as NOP certified organic and have the USDA organic seal.
When you’re sourcing shoes to import, you need to be very cautious about how you select your product. If your footwear violates U.S. Copyright or Trademark laws, then Customs could seize the shipment—leaving you financially liable for the destruction or re-exportation of the infringing products.
When importing Trademarked goods like shoes, you’ll need to get permission from the holder of the Trademark. This will require you to obtain a licensing agreement that guarantees you and the owner of the trademark will benefit from using it.
Imported goods must abide by Section 304 marking and labeling requirements. Under this guideline, you’ll need to provide a country-of-origin mark that’s legible, conspicuous, and permanent.
The mark must be able to survive importation and distribution to the final purchaser of your footwear. A sticker indicating the country of origin is acceptable if it can last the entire journey of the shipment.
The country of origin marking should appear in one of the following sites on your footwear:
Make sure the mark has the English name of the country of origin. Abbreviations of the country of origin can be used as long as they’re not easily confused with other nations.
Shoes that arrive in the U.S. without this mark will either be destroyed or exported back to where they came from, and an additional ad valorem duty of 10% will be imposed.
When a product is imported into the U.S., it must be classified using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). Every product can be classified using a 10-digit code found in the HTS search directory. This code is used to calculate the import duty owed for a given shipment.
Shoes and other footwear are incredibly diverse. They can be made of canvas, leather, plastic, and many other materials, and they have a wide range of styles and purposes. Because of this, it’s not always easy to determine which HTS code applies to your specific import.
Footwear is in chapter 64 of the HTS, but the specific code for your shoes will vary based on several factors. I’ve listed some common HTS codes for various types of footwear.
Just like when you were filling out the IFI, the details matter. It’s best to professionally confirm the HTS code that applies to your shipment. To get help with this, it is important to reach out to a professional import-export customs clearance services.
If you are importing shoes from a country with which the U.S. has a free trade agreement, then your shipment likely qualifies for duty-free import. However, you will still need to make sure you use the correct HTS code to classify your shipment regardless.
With our HTS Look Up Tool, you'll be able to find the shoes you want to import in no time!
If you’re not sure where to source your footwear from, then it’s a good idea to start looking at the top countries who supply the U.S. with shoes. There are eight nations that are the U.S.’s primary sources for this commodity. I’ve provided data on each one to show how much footwear they provide.
Although China is the top provider of footwear to the U.S., you’ll have to contend with hefty Section 301 tariffs if you import from this country. In the following sections, I outline two countries in particular that are great alternatives to importing from China.
When importing footwear from Mexico, you can enjoy preferential tariff treatment under the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) agreement.
If the shoes you are importing from Mexico were produced, manufactured, or otherwise sourced from Mexico or Canada (or even from U.S. raw materials), then your shipment could qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the USMCA. This will reduce your import costs from Mexico considerably.
In addition to the USMCA, there is another benefit to importing from Mexico instead of anywhere else. The U.S. and Mexico share an almost 2000-mile-long land border containing several commercial crossing points, which makes trade between the two countries much easier than from countries overseas. This not only allows for faster transit times but also awards you more choices when selecting shipping options.
Freight trucks and cargo trains are fantastic middle-of-the-road options for moving your freight over long distances across land. They’re faster than cargo ships and more affordable than freight aircraft, which can save you a lot of time and money in the long run!
Related: The Complete Guide To Importing Products from Mexico
Importing shoes from Vietnam can also be a great option for importers looking to diversify their supply chain and keep manufacturing costs low.
Because of the Section 301 tariffs complicating shipping to and from China, many importers are turning their attention to other Asian countries for manufacturing. Vietnam is a top choice for importers for many reasons, including the country’s economic resilience, its low-cost manufacturing strategies, and its reputation for producing high-quality products.
Although Vietnam exports many kinds of products, textiles and footwear are among its top manufactured exports. In 2022, the value of Vietnam’s shoe exports to the U.S. totaled $11 billion, and that number continues to grow year over year.
Vietnam has a much smaller pool of labor when compared to China, but they aren’t at their production capacity just yet. In fact, the country’s small size can actually end up being a good thing.
Many people importing from China source their products from the same major retailers, and ultimately, the same manufacturers. Not only will you deal with less competition when importing from Vietnam, but you will also end up with a more unique product to sell in the end.
Bringing shoes into the U.S. is a lot easier when you have the expertise of importing professionals at your disposal. At USA Customs Clearance, our licensed customs brokers are ready to lend you their support. They’re up-to-date on the latest regulations to help you get your shoes into the country.
To get their support, access one of our quality services.
If you’re ready to start importing shoes, then use one of our services or contact us through the site for additional support. You can also get in touch with the team by calling us at (855) 912-0406.
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