Sourcing sterile latex surgical gloves from China

Surgical glove duty and suspension

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 4015 covers rubber apparel and clothing accessories. Sterile latex surgical gloves fall within 4015 12 00 00, covering gloves used for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes. This is the only supplied commodity line relevant to this product family.

The base duty for goods from China is 2%. The supplied tariff record lists an autonomous suspension at 0.00% specifically for surgical rubber gloves, excluding mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing them. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or attached import control is recorded for this line. Ask your broker to confirm eligibility for the suspension.

Confirm the commodity code using the material, surgical intended use and packaging description. For other medical glove products within the heading, see the nitrile examination gloves guide. For finger cot purchases, see our rubber finger cot sourcing guide. For radiation-protection purchases, see our radiation-attenuating rubber glove sourcing guide.

Specify the surgical glove and sterile pack

Specify natural rubber latex, powder status, anatomical shape, size mix, cuff design, grip finish and the agreed dimensions and strength. Approve samples for fit, donning and cuff roll. Request material information and evidence supporting any latex-protein or allergy-related claim.

For Great Britain supply, surgical gloves are usually medical devices requiring certification from a UK Approved Body or EU Notified Body. Check that the certificate and declaration cover the actual manufacturer and glove model. A manufacturer outside the UK must appoint a UK Responsible Person, and the device must be registered with the MHRA before placement on the Great Britain market.

Agree the sterilisation method, validation evidence, batch release records, sterile barrier packaging, expiry information and transport conditions. Ask for test reports tied to the purchased model rather than a generic factory brochure. Use testing and certification support to review the evidence before ordering.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 2,000 pairs of sterile latex surgical gloves under 4015 12 00 00, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,000. Duty at 2% is £80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,080, so it is £816. Import taxes total £896; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Glove condition: check sampled gloves for pinholes, tears, tackiness, discolouration, inconsistent thickness and weak cuffs against the approved sample and agreed test plan.

Fit and pairing: check size markings, left and right pairing, finger shape, cuff length and donning performance across the ordered size mix.

Sterile packaging: check seals, punctures, moisture damage and opening tabs. Match sterilisation and batch release records to the delivered lot; appearance alone cannot establish sterility.

Traceability: reconcile carton and pouch model names, sizes, batch references and expiry information with the purchase order and supporting documents.

What goes wrong

A certificate can cover examination gloves or a different manufacturer's product while the shipment is sold as surgical gloves. Compare the exact model and intended use across certificates, declarations, labels and invoices before accepting the shipment.

Weak pouch seals, crushed cartons and inconsistent glove films can undermine an otherwise acceptable sample. Hold damaged or mismatched stock for investigation, retain unopened samples and ask the supplier for batch-specific evidence before release.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.