Sourcing rubber cleaning gloves from China
Rubber household cleaning gloves from China have a 2% base UK duty, with a conditional 0.00% suspension. Private-use dishwashing gloves protecting against damp and water fall outside the protective-equipment regulation, but consumer products must be safe in Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge sources rubber household cleaning gloves.
Duty and the rubber-glove suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 4015 covers clothing and accessories of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber. Household cleaning gloves fit the other-gloves line, 4015 19 00 00. The table shows product variants under that same code.
The China base duty is 2%, with an autonomous tariff suspension at 0.00 % for other rubber gloves under this code. Its footnote excludes mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. Have your broker check eligibility for the exact construction before costing the order. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no attached import controls for this line.
Confirm the material, lining and intended use through finding your commodity code. Medical gloves and other rubber clothing have separate lines. For the wider glove range, see work gloves and knitted gloves.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural rubber household cleaning gloves | 4015 19 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the rubber, lining and cleaning task
Agree natural rubber or nitrile rubber, lined or unlined construction, palm and finger thickness, cuff length, size dimensions and grip texture. Approve a sample for wet grip, dexterity and ease of removal. State which cleaning liquids the buyer expects to use, and request test evidence for any resistance claim.
The protective-equipment regulation excludes private-use dishwashing gloves intended to protect against damp and water. Do not extend that exclusion to gloves sold for chemical or workplace protection without checking their intended use. For ordinary consumer gloves in Great Britain, the importer must ensure safety and provide information about risks that are not immediately obvious.
Request the compound specification and finished-glove testing. Confirm with HSE whether UK REACH restrictions apply to the rubber articles and their intended skin contact. Ask the laboratory to assess the actual compound, including pigments and additives, rather than relying on a report for an unrelated glove.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 pairs of reusable nitrile rubber household cleaning gloves under 4015 19 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
Leaks and weak spots: check sampled gloves for pinholes, thin fingertips, tears around finger webs and cuff damage using an agreed leak-test method.
Fit and finish: compare dimensions, lining coverage, wet grip and ease of removal with the approved sample; look for loose flock, tackiness and uneven curing.
Material and claims: match the rubber and lining to the specification, and check that resistance claims describe the liquids and conditions actually tested.
Packaging and traceability: check matching pairs, size labels and care information. Where reasonable, consumer-product traceability requires the producer's name and address and a product reference or applicable batch identification on the product or packaging.
What goes wrong
Thin fingertips leak, cuffs tear during removal, and uneven flock lining sheds or makes gloves difficult to put on. Rubber can arrive tacky, brittle or stuck together. Compare arrival samples with the retained approval sample and isolate suspect cartons before distribution.
A general washing-up glove can be advertised with chemical-protection claims that its test evidence does not support. Another costing error is assuming the suspension applies without checking the construction. Resolve both before approving packaging and the customs declaration; use testing and certification support for the proposed claims.
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 rubber cleaning gloves from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 4015 19 00 00 a 2% base duty and a conditional 0.00% suspension for other rubber gloves. Ask your broker to confirm suspension eligibility.
Are household washing-up gloves covered by protective-equipment rules?
Private-use dishwashing gloves protecting against damp and water are excluded. Chemical or workplace protection needs a separate scope assessment. Ordinary consumer gloves must still be safe in Great Britain.
Should I specify latex or nitrile cleaning gloves?
Specify the actual rubber, lining and cleaning liquids. Compare approved samples for fit, wet grip and comfort, and request evidence for the resistance claims you intend to print.
How do I check rubber gloves when they arrive?
Sample across cartons for leaks, thin fingertips, torn cuffs, loose lining, tackiness and mismatched sizes. Compare with the retained sample and check packaging traceability.