Sourcing knitted cut-resistant sleeves from China
Knitted cut-resistant sleeves from China under heading 6117 carry 8% duty if elasticated or rubberised, otherwise 12%. Sleeves sold as personal protective equipment need the applicable marking, declaration of conformity and English instructions for Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge sources knitted cut-resistant sleeves.
8% or 12% duty on knitted sleeves
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6117 covers other made-up knitted or crocheted clothing accessories and knitted parts of garments or accessories. For Chinese-origin sleeves classified as other accessories, the elasticated or rubberised line carries 8% duty and the other line 12%. The supplied tariff data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
The tariff attaches CITES import and export controls, cat and dog fur import and export controls, and a seal-products import control. Imports and exports of cat and dog fur, including products made from it, are banned. For sleeves from China, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicability and documentary requirements of the CITES and seal controls against the full material specification.
The table shows sleeve variants sharing the relevant accessory codes; thumb openings do not establish a separate tariff line in the supplied data. Confirm the construction and material treatment through finding your commodity code. For the wider heading, see knitted scarves and accessories.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elasticated knitted cut-resistant sleeves | 6117 80 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Other knitted cut-resistant sleeves | 6117 80 80 00 | 12% | None |
Specify protective yarn, coverage and fit
Specify the yarn blend, any glass or steel reinforcement, knitted construction, finished length, relaxed and stretched circumference, cuff design and thumb opening. Describe the intended cutting hazard and the arm area to cover. Agree whether the packing unit is an individual sleeve or a pair, and approve a sample worn with the intended gloves.
For sleeves supplied as personal protective equipment in Great Britain, the applicable CE or UKCA marking, declaration of conformity and English instructions are required. Before ordering, ask a specialist to confirm the conformity assessment route for the intended protection. Request sleeve-specific test reports and compare the model, yarn construction and claimed performance with the sample. Arrange testing and certification checks.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5,000 individual elasticated knitted cut-resistant sleeves under 6117 80 10 00, invoiced at £11,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,900. Duty at 8% is £952. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,852, so it is £2,570.40. Import taxes total £3,522.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £952 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Materials: compare bulk sleeves with the approved yarn specification and sample; examine exposed reinforcement, loose fibres, dropped stitches and uneven knitting.
Coverage and fit: measure length and circumference, check cuff recovery and thumb-opening seams, and try sampled sizes with gloves while bending the arm.
Protection evidence: match the sleeve model and construction to the test reports and declaration; compare the protection claims on labels, packaging and instructions.
Arrival condition: check for dampness, staining, snagging and broken seams; verify sleeve or pair counts, size labels and packing against the order.
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What goes wrong
A report for a glove or a different yarn construction may be offered as evidence for the sleeve. Bulk production can also differ from the approved sample through yarn substitution or looser knitting. Match the evidence to the actual sleeve and arrange testing of production samples where the construction has changed.
Loose cuffs allow sleeves to slide down, short sleeves leave a gap above the glove, and tight thumb openings restrict movement. Washing can change fit. Agree a washing trial and repeat the coverage check afterwards; ask the laboratory how to assess protection after the proposed care process.
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 cut-resistant sleeves from China?
For sleeves classified under heading 6117, duty is 8% on the elasticated or rubberised accessory line and 12% on the other accessory line. The supplied tariff data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Is a CE logo enough to sell cut-resistant sleeves in Great Britain?
No. Sleeves supplied as personal protective equipment also need a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Ask for model-specific protection evidence rather than relying on the printed logo.
Can I use a glove test report for a sleeve?
Ask the laboratory whether the report covers the actual sleeve model and construction. Compare the yarn, reinforcement and knitting with the tested sample before accepting its protection claims.
What should I check when the sleeves arrive?
Check yarn construction, length, cuff recovery, thumb-opening seams and coverage with gloves. Match labels and documents to the sleeve model, and check that carton quantities distinguish individual sleeves from pairs.