Sourcing work gloves and knitted gloves from China
Knitted gloves, including nitrile, latex and PU coated work gloves, pay 8% UK duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty. Under the retained PPE regulation, gloves against superficial mechanical injury are category I and self-certified, while gloves against greater mechanical or other risks are category II and need an approved body. Cambridge China Bridge sources work gloves.
Knitted and coated work gloves pay 8% UK duty from China. Gloves for more than minimal risks are category II PPE needing an approved body.
Duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, knitted gloves impregnated, coated or covered with rubber or plastics, and knitted gloves of cotton, synthetic fibres, wool or other materials, carried 8% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. Disposable gloves of rubber are a different heading; see the medical and PPE guide.
Confirm the commodity code by coating and fibre, since the tariff splits coated gloves by laminated or not.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knitted gloves coated with rubber (for example nitrile or latex), other | 6116 10 20 91 | 8% | None |
| Knitted gloves coated with plastics (for example PU), other | 6116 10 80 91 | 8% | None |
| Knitted gloves of cotton | 6116 92 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Knitted gloves of synthetic fibres | 6116 93 00 00 | 8% | None |
PPE category
Annex I of Regulation 2016/425, as it applies in Great Britain, puts superficial mechanical injury and contact with cleaning materials of weak action in category I, which the manufacturer can self-certify, and every risk not in categories I or III into category II. Work gloves claiming cut, abrasion or tear protection beyond superficial injury are therefore category II PPE, needing type examination by an approved body before UKCA marking.
Ask for the certificate and test reports for the exact glove, with the performance levels marked on the glove, and check them at inspection; the cycle helmet guide explains PPE routes in more detail.
Specification
Gloves are specified by gauge of the knit, liner fibre, coating material and coverage, sizes and colour. Coating consistency and seam strength are the usual faults; check them with the size markings on samples from each batch.
Winter and fashion knitted gloves need a fibre composition label under Article 14 of Regulation 1007/2011 as it applies in Great Britain.
Minimums and packing
Work gloves are bought in dozens by size, often in retail packs or bulk bags with the brand on the cuff. Cambridge China Bridge sources work gloves and knitted gloves, with the PPE category, certification, marking and packing settled before production. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on work gloves from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, knitted gloves coated with rubber or plastics carried 8% duty from China, as did cotton and synthetic knitted gloves, with no anti-dumping duty.
Are work gloves category II PPE?
Gloves protecting against more than superficial mechanical injury are category II under the retained PPE Regulation, needing an approved body; category I covers minimal risks only.
What should be marked on protective gloves?
The UKCA mark and the performance levels from the test, with the certificate and reports for the exact glove.
Do knitted winter gloves need a fibre label?
Yes. Article 14 of Regulation 1007/2011 as it applies in Great Britain requires fibre composition on the label.