6404.19.72 - With uppers of vegetable fibers and having outer soles with textile materials having the greatest surface area in contact with the ground, but not taken into account under the terms of additional U.S. note 5 to this chapter

This HTS classification, 6404.19.72, covers footwear characterized by uppers primarily constructed from vegetable fibers. Crucially, these shoes feature outer soles made of textile materials that constitute the greatest surface area in contact with the ground. This designation specifically excludes footwear where the textile outer sole is considered under the terms of additional U.S. note 5 to Chapter 64, implying a specific treatment for certain types of textile soles. The footwear in this category falls under the broader umbrella of footwear with textile uppers and outer soles of rubber or plastics, and specifically within the "other" subcategories for footwear valued between $3 and $6.50 per pair.

Distinguishing this category from its sibling, 6404.19.77, is the material of the upper. While both share textile outer soles, 6404.19.77 applies to footwear with uppers made from textile materials *other than* vegetable fibers. Therefore, the defining characteristic for 6404.19.72 is the use of vegetable fibers in the upper construction. The sibling category 6404.19.79, "Other," would encompass any remaining footwear at this level not specifically defined by the material of the upper or sole as described in the preceding subcategories.

This HTS code is further subdivided to provide more granular classification based on the intended wearer. The subcategories are: 6404.19.72.30 for men's footwear, 6404.19.72.60 for women's footwear, and 6404.19.72.90 for "other" categories, which would typically include children's footwear or unisex styles not falling into the men's or women's specific classifications. These subdivisions allow for precise statistical tracking and potential tariff rate differentiation based on gender-specific footwear.