Sourcing woven archery gloves from China
Woven archery gloves from China carry 6% UK duty, with a conditional suspension to 0%. Do not assume an archery order qualifies for the suspension. For gloves intended to protect the wearer, confirm with the relevant authority whether personal protective equipment rules apply. Cambridge China Bridge sources woven archery gloves.
6% duty and a conditional zero-rate suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6216 covers gloves, mittens and mitts. Woven textile archery gloves are considered under 6216 00 00 00. The table shows variants within the same commodity line. Knitted gloves fall under 6116 and leather gloves under 4203, so confirm the construction and materials rather than relying on the supplier's product name.
The supplied tariff record gives 6% duty for goods from China, no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing measure, and an autonomous suspension to 0% for textile gloves that are not knitted or crocheted. The published reference guide limits that suspension to COVID-19 critical goods declared with document 9Y11. Budget ordinary archery orders at 6% unless your broker confirms eligibility. Confirm the commodity code; see the woven fencing gloves guide for related gloves within this heading.
The tariff attaches import controls for CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal products, plus export controls for CITES and cat and dog fur. Cat and dog fur products cannot be imported. For CITES-listed materials, confirm the applicable permits before importing from China. For seal products, ask your customs broker to confirm the attached control and required documents. Specify textile reinforcement where possible and identify any animal-derived trim before ordering.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woven cotton archery gloves | 6216 00 00 00 | 6% | None |
Specify finger coverage and bowstring contact
Agree whether the glove is for the drawing hand or bow hand, its finger coverage, left or right hand, and the intended shooting technique. Specify the woven fabric, fibre composition, fingertip reinforcement material and thickness, seam positions, wrist fastening and size chart. Use an approved sample to agree flexibility and the feel of the string-contact surface.
For gloves intended to protect the wearer, confirm with the relevant authority whether personal protective equipment rules apply and what conformity assessment and UKCA or CE marking requirements apply for Great Britain. Agree the intended protection and obtain evidence for the exact design before approving packaging claims. Do not treat a general work-glove report as proof of suitability for archery. Discuss the evidence with testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 1,000 woven textile archery gloves; illustrative order, FOB value and freight under 6216 00 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,800. Duty at 6% is £408. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,208, so it is £1,441.60. Import taxes total £1,849.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £408 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: compare each ordered size with the approved measurements; check finger coverage, wrist adjustment and freedom of movement.
String contact: check reinforcement position, thickness and surface consistency; reject exposed seam ridges or loose threads in the contact area.
Construction: pull-check fingertip and wrist seams, operate the fastening repeatedly, and compare fabric and reinforcement with the approved sample.
Finish and documents: check colour transfer after rubbing and perspiration exposure, size identification, agreed fibre labels and protection evidence. Use the quality inspection guide to set the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A glove can match the appearance of the sample but feel different when drawing and releasing. Reinforcement becomes stiff, seam allowances create pressure points, or fingertip panels shift between sizes. Agree the contact surface and seam placement in the sample approval, then check production gloves against that sample.
Orders also fail when factories substitute leather for textile reinforcement, mix left and right gloves, or print protection claims unsupported by the supplied evidence. Record material substitutions and packaging approval in writing before production.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on woven archery gloves from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 6% duty and a conditional suspension to 0%. Budget at 6% until your broker confirms suspension eligibility; no anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded.
Do archery gloves need UKCA or CE marking?
For gloves intended to protect the wearer, confirm with the relevant authority whether personal protective equipment rules apply in Great Britain and what conformity assessment and UKCA or CE marking evidence is needed for the exact design.
Are leather archery gloves covered by this guide?
This guide covers woven textile gloves. Leather gloves fall under heading 4203; send the full material specification to your broker if the glove combines textile and leather.
What should I check on an archery glove sample?
Check hand orientation, finger coverage, size, reinforcement flexibility, string-contact seams and wrist fastening. Compare production gloves with the approved sample, including colour transfer and material substitutions.