Sourcing unlined rubber diving gloves from China
Unlined rubber diving gloves from China have a 2% base UK duty, potentially reduced to 0.00% by a conditional suspension. For gloves sold as protective equipment in Great Britain, check conformity assessment, marking and supporting documents before sale. Cambridge China Bridge sources unlined rubber diving gloves.
Duty and the rubber-glove suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 4015 covers apparel and clothing accessories of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber. Unlined rubber diving gloves are relevant to the other-gloves line, 4015 19 00 00. The table shows purchasing variants sharing this code, rather than separate tariff lines.
The China base duty is 2%. An autonomous tariff suspension gives 0.00 % for other rubber gloves under this code, subject to its footnotes. It excludes mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. Ask your broker to check the actual construction, including attached cuff components. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no attached import controls for this line.
Confirm the rubber material, absence of lining, cuff construction and intended use through finding your commodity code. For the wider heading, see chemical-resistant rubber gauntlets. A shared commodity code does not establish a glove's protective performance.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlined rubber diving gloves with textured palms | 4015 19 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the rubber and diving cuff connection
Specify the rubber compound, unlined interior, palm and fingertip thickness, finger shape, size dimensions, cuff length and grip texture. State whether the glove is worn directly or used with a separate liner. For a drysuit system, identify the exact cuff or ring interface and approve samples fitted to that equipment. Agree wet handling checks using the buyer's valves, clips and tools. For suit sourcing, see our unlined rubber drysuit guide.
For gloves sold as protective equipment in Great Britain, confirm with the relevant product-safety authority the importer's obligations concerning the manufacturer's conformity assessment, technical documentation, relevant marking, declaration of conformity and identification marks. CE or UKCA marking may be used under the applicable route. Also confirm the requirements for importer identification and clear English instructions and safety information. Arrange testing and certification checks for the exact glove and proposed protective claims.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 pairs of unlined rubber diving gloves; base-duty calculation before any suspension 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
Rubber and interior: check the specified compound and absence of bonded lining; inspect for tackiness, brittle areas, contamination and gloves stuck together.
Leaks and strength: use the agreed test method to check pinholes, finger webs, thin fingertips and cuff tears. Record which production batch was sampled.
Fit and connection: compare dimensions and wet grip with the approved sample. Fit cuffs to the specified system and check retention and leakage using the agreed assembly.
Documents and packs: match model, size, batch identity, protective claims and applicable conformity marking to the supporting documents. Check matching pairs and instructions using the quality inspection guide.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A cuff that resembles the approved sample may slip or leak on the buyer's actual ring system. Thin finger webs can tear during fitting, while stiff fingers make valves and clips difficult to handle. Retain an assembled approval sample and compare production gloves with it before shipment.
A leak check does not establish thermal or chemical protection. Suppliers may offer documents for another glove or describe an unlined rubber shell as providing insulation without supporting tests. Match each claim to the exact construction and tested configuration, including any separate liner. Resolve discrepancies before approving packaging or releasing stock.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on unlined rubber diving gloves from China?
The supplied 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 eligibility for the exact construction.
Do rubber diving gloves need CE or UKCA marking?
For gloves sold as protective equipment in Great Britain, check the applicable CE or UKCA route, conformity assessment, declaration and supporting documents. Match these to the exact glove model.
Will these gloves fit my drysuit rings?
Specify the exact ring system and cuff dimensions. Approve an assembled sample, then check production gloves for fit, retention and leakage on that same system.
Does an unlined rubber glove provide cold-water protection?
Do not assume insulation from the rubber shell alone. Request evidence for the claimed protection and tested configuration, including any separate liner, and confirm that it matches the intended use.