Sourcing knitted anti-vibration gloves from China
Knitted anti-vibration gloves from China carry 8% base UK duty, with qualifying coated lines entering at 0% under a suspension. HSE says gloves must not be provided to reduce vibration risk unless exposure reduction has been demonstrated. Match protection claims to the exact model. Cambridge China Bridge sources knitted anti-vibration gloves.
UK duty on knitted anti-vibration gloves
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6116 covers knitted or crocheted gloves, mittens and mitts. The supplied Chinese-origin lines carry 8% base duty. Coated lines have a conditional 0% suspension for knitted or crocheted gloves impregnated or covered with plastics or rubber. Uncoated lines remain at 8%. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded.
The tariff attaches cat and dog fur import and export controls and seal product import controls. Cat and dog fur products cannot be imported or exported. Seal products for sale in Great Britain must have a seal catch certificate; confirm with the relevant authority whether they qualify for a permitted exemption. Specify the lining and exclude these materials. Other animal-material lines within the heading also attach CITES controls; ask your customs broker to confirm requirements if considering those materials.
Confirm the commodity code from the knit, fibre, rubber or plastics treatment and whether it is laminated. Padding and an anti-vibration sales description do not establish the code. Ask your broker to confirm suspension eligibility before declaring the goods. For the wider heading, see knitted cut-resistant gloves.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knitted gloves impregnated or covered with rubber, other | 6116 10 20 91 | 8% | None |
| Knitted gloves impregnated or covered with plastics, other | 6116 10 80 91 | 8% | None |
| Rubber-laminated knitted gloves of synthetic fibres | 6116 10 20 11 | 8% | None |
| Plastics-laminated knitted gloves of synthetic fibres | 6116 10 80 11 | 8% | None |
Specify the padding, grip and protection claims
State the liner fibre, knit gauge, coating material and coverage, cuff construction and size chart. Specify the cushioning material, thickness, palm and finger coverage, attachment method and flexibility. Approve a physical sample with the intended tool handle, checking trigger access, grip and finger movement.
Agree the PPE risk category and applicable conformity assessment route before production. Confirm the applicable UKCA or CE marking requirements for protective work gloves with the relevant product-safety authority. Request the exact model's declaration, certificate where applicable and test reports. Ask for vibration transmission results and the conditions tested, rather than accepting padding as proof. HSE says vibration exposure reduction must be demonstrated before gloves are provided as a means of reducing vibration risk.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 pairs of rubber-covered knitted anti-vibration gloves; FOB value and freight are illustrative. under 6116 10 20 91, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £700 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,700. Duty at 8% is £616. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,316, so it is £1,663.20. Import taxes total £2,279.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £616 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Padding: compare production and arrival samples with the approved glove; cut samples open to check material, thickness, coverage and attachment, including the fingers.
Fit and grip: measure palm width and glove length against the size chart; check finger movement, cuff recovery and control access using the intended handle.
Coating and assembly: inspect uneven coverage, coating penetration, peeling, loose seams and displaced cushioning; flex samples using the agreed acceptance method.
Identity and documents: match model and batch details with the reports, markings and user information. The importer must indicate its name, registered trade name or trademark and postal address on the PPE; confirm with the relevant product-safety authority whether a packaging exception applies. Plan checks with the inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A padded sample can be followed by production gloves with thinner cushioning, uncovered fingers or a stiffer coating. Padding can shift inside the palm, while bulky fingers make controls difficult to operate. A report for a different liner or cushioning construction does not establish the ordered model's performance.
Keep a sealed approval sample and record the cushioning construction in the order. Investigate substitutions before shipment and repeat physical checks on arrival. Do not present a laboratory result as proof of vibration reduction with every tool; require evidence relevant to the intended use before making that claim.
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 knitted anti-vibration gloves from China?
The supplied lines carry 8% base duty. Qualifying knitted gloves impregnated or covered with plastics or rubber have a conditional 0% suspension. Uncoated lines remain at 8%; no anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded.
Do anti-vibration gloves reduce vibration risk?
Do not assume padding proves protection. HSE says gloves must not be provided as a means of reducing vibration risk unless vibration exposure reduction has been demonstrated.
What documents should I request from the factory?
Request the exact model's declaration, applicable conformity assessment certificate, protection test reports and user information. Match the tested liner, coating and cushioning to the goods ordered.
What should I check when the gloves arrive?
Check cushioning coverage and attachment, coating adhesion, sizes, seams and grip against the approved sample. Match model details and markings to the documents, and investigate material substitutions.