Sourcing knitted heat-resistant gloves from China
Knitted heat-resistant gloves from China carry 8% UK duty, with a conditional suspension reducing eligible coated lines to 0%. For protective claims, confirm the applicable conformity assessment and CE or UKCA marking requirements for sale in Great Britain with the relevant authority. Match the documents to the exact glove. Cambridge China Bridge sources knitted heat-resistant gloves.
UK duty on knitted heat-resistant gloves
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6116 covers knitted or crocheted gloves, mittens and mitts. The supplied lines carry 8% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Coated lines have a conditional 0% suspension for knitted or crocheted gloves impregnated or covered with plastics or rubber. Confirm eligibility and claim the suspension with document code 9Y11; uncoated lines remain at 8%.
The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and seal product import controls. Cat and dog fur products cannot be imported. For seal products intended for commercial sale, ask your customs broker to confirm whether an exemption is available and what attestation is needed. CITES controls also appear on wool, fine animal hair and other-textile lines. For animal-derived materials from China, identify the species and ask your customs broker to confirm applicable permits and documents before ordering.
Confirm the commodity code from the fibre composition, coating and laminated construction. A heat-resistant description alone does not determine the code or suspension eligibility. See the wider knitted-glove guide for other products within this heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber-coated knitted gloves, not laminated | 6116 10 20 91 | 8% | None |
| Plastic-coated knitted gloves, not laminated | 6116 10 80 91 | 8% | None |
| Uncoated cotton knitted gloves | 6116 92 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Uncoated synthetic-fibre knitted gloves | 6116 93 00 00 | 8% | None |
Specify the heat exposure and glove construction
Describe the task: handling hot trays, gripping heated components or working near radiant heat. Specify the claimed protection, contact temperature and duration as purchasing requirements supported by the exact model's test report. Distinguish contact heat from flame exposure and molten splashes. A general heat-resistant label does not tell the buyer which exposures were tested.
Specify liner fibre, knit density, insulating layers, palm coating, coating coverage, cuff length, sizes and finished measurements. Approve grip and dexterity using an unheated representative object. Agree washing instructions and any claimed performance after washing. Keep a sealed sample showing the approved yarn, coating and construction.
Settle the applicable protective-equipment assessment route before production. Check the certificate where required, test reports, CE or UKCA marking and performance claims against the exact glove model. CE marking continues to be recognised in Great Britain. Use testing and certification support to review the evidence supporting the intended use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 pairs of uncoated synthetic-fibre knitted heat-resistant gloves; FOB value and freight are illustrative. under 6116 93 00 00, invoiced at £1,500 free on board, with £700 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,200. Duty at 8% is £176. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,376, so it is £475.20. Import taxes total £651.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £176 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Construction: compare yarn, glove weight and insulating layers with the approved sample; inspect dropped stitches, thin areas, seams and cuff attachment.
Coating and grip: check coverage, penetration into the liner, tackiness and peeling during flexing; compare grip using an unheated representative object.
Fit and packing: measure palm width, finger length and cuff length; check paired sizes, left and right gloves where applicable, and carton contents against the packing list.
Claims and documents: match model identification, protective markings and performance claims to the certificate and test reports; compare supplied user information with the approved wording. Plan batch sampling through the inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A supplier's temperature claim may come from a different liner or coating, or omit the contact duration and test conditions. A cut-protection report does not establish heat performance. Inspectors can check construction and document consistency, but handling a hot object by hand is not a substitute for laboratory evidence.
Bulk gloves can arrive with thinner insulation, uneven knitting, peeling palm coatings or cuffs shorter than the approved sample. Washing can change fit and coating behaviour. Resolve material substitutions before shipment, retain batch samples and repeat the agreed construction and measurement checks on arrival.
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 heat-resistant gloves from China?
The supplied tariff lines carry 8%. Eligible gloves impregnated or covered with plastics or rubber can enter at 0% under the suspension when claimed with document code 9Y11. Uncoated lines remain at 8%.
Do knitted heat-resistant gloves need CE or UKCA marking?
For gloves sold as protective equipment, confirm the applicable conformity assessment and CE or UKCA marking requirements for Great Britain with the relevant authority. Check the assessment route against the intended risks and the exact model.
Can I accept the factory's maximum temperature claim?
Ask for the exact model's report, including exposure type, contact duration and test conditions. Agree which claims will appear on the glove and packaging; do not transfer results from another construction.
What should I check when the gloves arrive?
Compare insulation, knit density, coating, dimensions and cuff length with the approved sample. Match model identification and protective claims to the documents, and check pairs and packing against the order.