Other

CN code 640690 covers parts of footwear made from materials other than wood (640610) and rubber or plastics (640620). A wide range of footwear components are classified under this subheading, including uppers and their parts of natural leather, inner soles (insoles) of leather, prefabricated textile uppers, metal footwear fittings (buckles, clasps, eyelets), wooden heels covered with leather, composite material midsoles, leather or cardboard heel and toe stiffeners, and laces. Classification requires the product to be identifiable as a footwear part based on shape, dimensions or function. Custom-fitted orthopaedic insoles may be classified under heading 9021 as orthopaedic appliances if individually adapted for a patient.

Import of footwear parts under CN code 640690 into the EU is subject to REACH Regulation (EC No 1907/2006). Restrictions depend on the material: for leather components, chromium VI limits (maximum 3 mg/kg), formaldehyde and azo dye restrictions apply; for metal components, nickel restrictions for parts with skin contact apply; for textile components, aromatic azo dye and formaldehyde limits apply. The GPSR (EU) 2023/988 may apply to parts sold directly to consumers, such as replacement insoles, laces or decorative buckles. CE marking is not required for standard footwear parts. Metal footwear components containing nickel are subject to the REACH nickel restriction for articles with prolonged skin contact (maximum 0.5 micrograms Ni/cm2/week). The importer should hold material documentation and REACH test reports.

Classification under CN code 640690 requires confirmation that the product is identifiable as a footwear component. Prefabricated uppers, inner soles and stiffeners must have shapes and dimensions corresponding to footwear use. Unfinished and unprocessed materials are classified under the relevant material chapters (Chapter 41 for leather, Chapter 42 for leather articles, Chapters 50-63 for textiles). Duty rates for code 640690 should be checked in TARIC. Import of footwear parts is often linked to manufacturing activity within the EU, where footwear producers import components for assembly into finished products. The inward processing procedure may allow duty suspension on imported parts if the finished footwear is intended for export outside the EU. The importer should ensure all components comply with REACH requirements before use in production.

Footwear parts of other materials under CN 6406 90 carry a 5% EU duty. This covers orthopedic insoles, pre-made uppers, eyelets, hooks and other footwear components.