6402.91.42 - Protective active footwear (except footwear with waterproof molded bottoms, including bottoms comprising an outer sole and all or part of the upper and except footwear with insulation that provides protection against cold weather) whose height from the bottom of the outer sole to the top of the upper does not exceed 15.34 cm

This HTS code covers protective active footwear, excluding certain specialized types. Specifically, it applies to footwear whose outer sole to upper height does not exceed 15.34 cm. The exclusion criteria are important: this classification does not include footwear with waterproof molded bottoms, which encompass situations where the outer sole and all or part of the upper are molded as a single unit. Furthermore, footwear providing protection against cold weather due to insulation is also excluded.

Distinguishing this category from its sibling, 6402.91.40, is key. The sibling category addresses footwear with uppers composed of over 90% rubber or plastics, with specific exceptions for footwear featuring foxing or foxing-like bands, or footwear designed for protection against water, oil, grease, chemicals, or inclement weather. This current node, 6402.91.42, focuses on protective active footwear that *doesn't* meet those specific material composition or protective design criteria of the sibling, but *does* meet the height and waterproofing/insulation exclusions.

The subcategories for 6402.91.42 further refine the classification based on the intended user: "For men" (6402.91.42.30), "For women" (6402.91.42.60), and "Other" (6402.91.42.90) for footwear not specifically designed for men or women. This breakdown allows for more granular tracking and statistical purposes within customs declarations.