Sourcing nitrile examination gloves from China
Nitrile medical examination gloves from China carry 2% UK duty. The surgical-glove suspension does not cover ordinary examination gloves. Gloves intended to protect patients are medical devices and must be registered with the MHRA before placement on the Great Britain market. Cambridge China Bridge sources nitrile examination gloves.
Duty on nitrile examination gloves
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 4015 covers apparel and clothing accessories of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber. Nitrile gloves of a kind used for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes fall within 4015 12 00 00. The table separates purchasing variants sharing that commodity line.
The duty for goods from China is 2%. The line has a 0.00 % autonomous tariff suspension restricted to surgical rubber gloves; do not apply it to ordinary examination gloves. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no attached import controls for this line.
Confirm the intended use, material and product description with your broker using our commodity code guide. For other glove families, see work gloves and knitted gloves.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-sterile nitrile medical examination gloves | 4015 12 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the glove and its intended use
Specify nitrile composition, powder-free status, sterile or non-sterile supply, size mix, palm width, cuff length, fingertip thickness, texture and colour. Agree pack count, shelf life remaining on arrival, storage conditions and batch test records. Ask for evidence supporting any accelerator-free claim and approve samples for fit, grip and donning.
Gloves intended to protect patients during examination are medical devices. For Great Britain, check the applicable CE or UKCA marking and MHRA registration. A manufacturer based outside the UK must appoint a UK responsible person. Gloves marketed to protect both patient and wearer must meet both medical device and personal protective equipment requirements. Arrange testing and certification checks against the actual intended use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 boxes of non-sterile nitrile examination gloves under 4015 12 00 00, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,000. Duty at 2% is £140. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,140, so it is £1,428. Import taxes total £1,568; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £140 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions and fit: compare palm width, cuff length and fingertip thickness with the approved specification; try samples from different cartons for donning, grip and tearing.
Barrier and strength: commission agreed pinhole, leakage and strength testing on production samples, and match the results to the batch supplied.
Packaging and identity: check size, material, batch identity, expiry information and CE or UKCA marking against the approved artwork and device documents; inspect sterile packs for damaged seals.
Count and condition: check box counts, mixed sizes, stuck gloves, contamination, brittle material and crushed cartons. Record findings using our quality inspection guide.
What goes wrong
A sample may fit well while production gloves have thinner fingertips, weak cuffs or pinholes. Gloves can stick together, tear during donning or arrive with less shelf life than agreed. Compare production samples with the approved glove and keep batch identity visible through inspection and delivery.
Another failure is accepting documents for a different manufacturer or glove model. Match the declaration, test reports, packaging and supplied product before release. MHRA registration is not product approval, so a registration entry does not replace conformity evidence.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on nitrile examination gloves from China?
Medical examination gloves under 4015 12 00 00 carry 2% duty. The surgical rubber glove suspension does not cover ordinary examination gloves.
Do nitrile examination gloves need MHRA registration?
Gloves intended to protect patients during examination are medical devices. They must be registered with the MHRA before being placed on the Great Britain market.
Does medical device compliance cover wearer protection?
Gloves intended to protect both patient and wearer must meet the relevant medical device and personal protective equipment requirements.
What should I check before accepting a shipment?
Check production samples for pinholes, tearing, fit and thickness. Match batch records and device documents to the gloves, then check counts, expiry information and packaging condition.