Key takeaways
- Chile and Peru buy about 52% of their HS 6404 footwear imports from China; Mexico 39%.
- Mexico raised tariffs on footwear from countries without a trade agreement (including China) from 1 January 2026, up to 35% for some lines.
- Brazil applies an anti-dumping duty per pair on Chinese footwear (NCM 6402–6405), extended in 2022 for five years; China supplies only about 9% of Brazil’s HS 6404 imports.
- Each country searches with a different word: zapatos para agua (Mexico), zapatillas de agua (Chile, Argentina), escarpines / aquashoes (Peru), sapatilha aquática (Brazil).
Latin America is a natural second season for water shoes: Chile, Peru, Argentina and Brazil sell in December–February, when northern markets are quiet. But tariffs and language differ more than many importers expect.
1. Market overview (HS 6404, 2023)
| Country | HS 6404 imports | Change | Share from China | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | US$742 million | −8% | 39% | Mar–Apr, Jul–Aug |
| Chile | US$357 million | −26% | 52% | Dec–Feb |
| Peru | US$269 million | −13% | 52% | Dec–Mar |
| Brazil | US$224 million | +8.8% | 9.46% | Dec–Feb |
HS 6404 covers all footwear with textile uppers, of which water shoes are one part. Source: UN Comtrade via TrendEconomy.
2. Country by country
Mexico
- Main search term: zapatos para agua (Google Trends 48), then zapatos de playa (17), zapatos acuáticos (14) and aquashoes (6).
- From 1 January 2026 Mexico raised tariffs on imports from countries without a trade agreement, including China; some footwear lines go up to 35%. Check the current rate for your exact tariff line before ordering.
- Main channels: Mercado Libre, Amazon MX, Walmart / Bodega Aurrera, Coppel.
Chile
- Main term: zapatillas de agua (30).
- About half of HS 6404 imports come from China; buyers are used to China supply.
- Major retailers sell barefoot-style water shoes in the beach season.
Peru
- Main terms: escarpines (21) and aquashoes (17). Listings often start with “Aquashoes Zapatillas Acuáticas”.
- About 52% of HS 6404 imports from China.
Argentina
- Main term: zapatillas de agua (19). Argentines call a pool “pileta”, so “aquagym pileta” appears in listings.
Brazil
- Main term: sapatilha aquática (20); listings often add “neoprene” and “náutica”.
- Brazil applies an anti-dumping duty, charged per pair, on footwear from China (NCM 6402–6405). It was extended for five years by GECEX Resolution 303 in 2022. As a result China supplies only about 9% of Brazil’s HS 6404 imports.
3. Listing language matters
In Spain, “escarpines” also means baby booties, and “cangrejeras” means jelly sandals — always add “de agua” or “para playa”. See the full list in what water shoes are called in each country.
4. Practical tips for importers
- Confirm the HS / NCM classification and current duty with a local customs broker before you price your range.
- Order for December–February in July–October (see the buying calendar).
- Spanish-language packaging and size labels help with marketplace approval.
General market information, not customs or legal advice. Tariffs change often; check current rules.
We serve Spanish-speaking buyers on our Spanish site. Ask for a quote.
Sources
- TrendEconomy — Chile HS 6404 imports (UN Comtrade 2023)
- TrendEconomy — Peru HS 6404 imports (UN Comtrade 2023)
- TrendEconomy — Mexico HS 6404 imports (UN Comtrade 2023)
- TrendEconomy — Brazil HS 6404 imports (UN Comtrade 2023)
- Hinrich Foundation — Mexico tariffs and affected industries (2026)
- World Footwear — Anti-dumping duty extended in Brazil
- Resolução GECEX nº 303/2022 (Brazil)
- Google Trends — Spanish and Portuguese water shoe terms by country, 5 years