Sourcing plastic-upper futsal shoes from China
Plastic-upper futsal shoes within heading 6402 carry 16% UK duty from China across the supplied lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Confirm composition-labelling requirements for the upper, lining and sock, and outer sole materials with the relevant authority. Confirm classification from the actual shoe. Cambridge China Bridge sources plastic-upper futsal shoes.
Duty and classification for plastic-upper futsal shoes
Heading 6402 covers other footwear with rubber or plastic outer soles and uppers. For this guide, specify a plastic upper and a rubber or plastic court sole. The table shows non-ankle-covering plastic-upper lines to check against the actual design. These are classification candidates, not an automatic assignment for every futsal shoe.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all supplied lines carried 16% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension recorded. The selected table lines show no attached controls. Elsewhere in the heading, the tariff attaches fluorinated greenhouse gas import controls and cat and dog fur import and export controls. Cat and dog fur products are banned from import; confirm any relevant gas-control requirement with your customs broker.
Send the broker a sample, material breakdown, sole photographs, ankle coverage and insole measurements to confirm the commodity code. HMRC determines the upper by the material covering the greatest external surface area. Ask the broker to assess the sports-footwear branch before using a table code. A sales description such as 'indoor football shoe' does not settle that choice. For ski footwear, see plastic-shell ski boot sourcing.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other plastic-upper footwear, insoles shorter than 24 cm | 6402 99 91 00 | 16% | None |
| Other plastic-upper footwear, insoles 24 cm or more, not identifiable by sex | 6402 99 93 00 | 16% | None |
| Other plastic-upper footwear for men, insoles 24 cm or more | 6402 99 96 00 | 16% | None |
| Other plastic-upper footwear for women, insoles 24 cm or more | 6402 99 98 00 | 16% | None |
Specify the upper, court sole and fit
Agree the plastic upper construction, backing, lining, toe reinforcement and sole compound. Specify a flat court tread, flexibility, cushioning and heel retention. Ask the factory to demonstrate grip and marking behaviour on your intended court surface. Approve fitting samples across the ordered size range and record the quantity required in each size.
Confirm with the relevant authority the composition-labelling requirements for footwear sold in the UK, including how to identify the upper, lining and sock, and outer sole using pictograms or words. Agree the artwork against the actual materials before production. Consumer products sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Arrange product-specific checks through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 80 pairs of men's plastic-upper futsal shoes, illustrative only, subject to classification under 6402 99 96 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £80 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,080. Duty at 16% is £492.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,572.80, so it is £714.56. Import taxes total £1,207.36; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £492.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: compare production pairs with approved fitting samples; check internal length, toe room, heel retention and matching left and right shoes.
Court sole: check tread against the approved sample, flex the forefoot and assess grip and floor marking on the intended surface.
Bonding: inspect the toe and sole edge for gaps and glue marks; run the agreed bond checks on production pairs.
Labels and packing: match composition labels to materials, reconcile box sizes and quantities, and check for damp cartons or mould on arrival. Record findings using the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A sample can fit while production pairs feel narrower or allow heel movement. A changed sole compound can alter grip or mark the court. Toe-edge separation, upper creasing, uneven stitching and mismatched colours should be checked against retained samples before shipment.
A supplier's 'synthetic' description may conceal a different upper construction, affecting classification and composition artwork. Keep material approvals tied to the production style and repeat checks after substitutions. For broader footwear sourcing, see the own-brand footwear guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on plastic-upper futsal shoes from China?
The supplied heading 6402 lines carry 16% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension recorded. Confirm the code against the actual shoe.
Which commodity code should I use for futsal shoes?
Ask your broker to assess the sports-footwear branch and the other-footwear lines using the actual construction, upper and sole materials, ankle coverage and insole length.
What labels do plastic-upper futsal shoes need?
Confirm with the relevant authority how composition labels should identify the upper, lining and sock, and outer sole materials, including the use of pictograms or words. Match the artwork to the production materials.
How do I check futsal shoes before shipment?
Compare fit with approved samples, check court grip and floor marking, inspect toe-edge bonding and stitching, and reconcile sizes, composition labels and carton quantities.