Sourcing knitted goalkeeper gloves from China
Knitted goalkeeper gloves from China carry 8% UK duty, reduced to 0% where the coated-glove suspension applies and is claimed. Protective models need the appropriate PPE conformity assessment before sale in Great Britain. Specify palm material, cut and finger supports. Cambridge China Bridge sources knitted goalkeeper gloves.
Duty depends on the glove construction
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6116 covers knitted or crocheted gloves, mittens and mitts. All listed lines carry 8% standard duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. The coated lines have a 0% suspension restricted to knitted or crocheted gloves impregnated or covered with plastics or rubber. Confirm eligibility and claim it on the declaration.
The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and seal-product controls. Imports and exports of products made from cat or dog fur are banned. Under the traditional-hunt exemption, seal products need a seal catch attestation certificate; confirm eligibility and documents with your customs broker. CITES controls also appear on the wool or fine animal hair and other textile material lines. Listed species need a permit, so identify any animal-derived material before ordering.
Confirm the commodity code from the finished glove, including the knitted substrate, palm material and whether it is laminated. The table gives possible construction lines, not interchangeable codes. See the knitted ski gloves guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber-laminated knitted gloves of synthetic fibres | 6116 10 20 11 | 8% | None |
| Rubber-laminated knitted gloves of other fibres | 6116 10 20 19 | 8% | None |
| Other rubber-coated or covered knitted gloves | 6116 10 20 91 | 8% | None |
| Plastic-laminated knitted gloves of synthetic fibres | 6116 10 80 11 | 8% | None |
| Plastic-laminated knitted gloves of other fibres | 6116 10 80 19 | 8% | None |
| Other plastic-coated or covered knitted gloves | 6116 10 80 91 | 8% | None |
Specify the palm, cut and finger supports
State the knitted backhand and liner fibres, palm compound and thickness, coating or lamination construction, and whether natural rubber latex is used. Specify the finger cut, thumb wrap, seam position, wrist opening, fastening and size chart. Approve samples for dry and wet ball handling, flexibility and comfort, using the intended ball and playing surface.
Settle the intended protective function before production and confirm the applicable PPE category and conformity-assessment route with HSE, including whether type examination and UKCA or CE marking apply. Obtain reports and certification for the exact model rather than a factory's unrelated work glove. Consumer gloves must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use in Great Britain. Arrange testing and certification around the intended use and claims.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 2,000 pairs of knitted goalkeeper gloves; standard duty assumed without claiming the suspension under 6116 10 20 91, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £19,500. Duty at 8% is £1,560. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £21,060, so it is £4,212. Import taxes total £5,772; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,560 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Palm and bond: compare compound, thickness and coverage with the approved sample. Flex the fingers, check peeling at palm edges and seams, and compare dry and wet grip.
Fit and seams: measure palm width, finger length and wrist opening against the size chart. Check left and right pairing, seam pressure inside the glove and stitching around the thumb.
Finger supports: where fitted, check position, retention, flexibility and any removable access opening. Look for sharp edges, broken inserts and supports that restrict the agreed movement.
Marking and packing: match size, model, material wording and protective claims to the approved documents. Check pair counts, palm protection and moisture damage during quality inspection.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A palm can feel tacky on the sample yet peel or lose grip on production gloves. Finger cuts can vary between sizes, internal seams can rub, and wrist fastenings can loosen during play. Write the agreed grip, bond, fit and fastening checks into the order, and compare production samples with the retained approval sample.
A supplier may offer a certificate for a different palm compound or support design. Check that the supplied glove matches the model and construction covered by its evidence before accepting protective claims. Avoid approving a material substitution from photographs alone.
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 goalkeeper gloves from China?
Standard duty is 8%. Eligible knitted gloves impregnated or covered with plastics or rubber can enter at 0% under the listed suspension when claimed. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is listed.
Do knitted goalkeeper gloves need CE or UKCA marking?
For gloves supplied as PPE, confirm the risk category and applicable CE or UKCA conformity route with HSE. Describe the intended protection, including whether it extends beyond superficial mechanical injury, so the assessment requirements can be confirmed.
What should I specify for goalkeeper glove palms?
Specify the compound, thickness, coverage and bonding construction. Agree dry and wet grip checks, flexibility and palm wear expectations using the intended ball and playing surface.
How do I check finger-support goalkeeper gloves?
Check support position, retention and flexibility, inspect for sharp or broken inserts, and compare movement with the approved sample. Match any protective claims and supporting reports to the supplied model.