Sourcing woven beekeeping gloves from China
Woven beekeeping gloves from China carry 6% standard UK duty, with a listed suspension to 0% subject to eligibility. Gloves sold for protection are personal protective equipment and need the appropriate conformity assessment and CE or UKCA marking for Great Britain. Check evidence for the intended protection before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources woven beekeeping gloves.
Buying from China for a business? How our UK China sourcing agent service works · China sourcing agent for small orders and first imports
Standard duty and conditional suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6216 covers gloves, mittens and mitts. Woven textile beekeeping gloves may fall under 6216 00 00 00. The table shows material and cuff variants sharing that commodity line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. Confirm the construction, particularly where the palm is leather or the fabric is knitted, using our commodity code guide.
The supplied tariff record gives 6% standard duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. It also lists an autonomous suspension at 0.00 % for textile gloves that are not knitted or crocheted. Our published woven fabric gloves guide describes a conditional suspension for COVID-19 critical goods. Have your customs broker confirm eligibility before budgeting for suspended duty on beekeeping gloves.
The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. If any animal-derived component is proposed, check the species and applicable CITES permits. Imports of cat and dog fur products are banned. Seal products imported for trade into Great Britain need a seal catch certificate; confirm the applicable exemption with your customs broker. Specify the materials throughout the glove rather than relying on a textile description alone.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woven cotton drill beekeeping gloves | 6216 00 00 00 | 6% | None |
Specify the hand, gauntlet and protective claim
Specify the woven fabric, fibre composition, fabric weight, lining, palm construction and reinforcement. Agree finger length, thumb position, palm width, gauntlet length and cuff opening against an approved sample. Try the glove with the intended suit sleeve and hive tool so that cuff overlap and grip are assessed together.
Ask for evidence covering the exact design and intended protection, including any sting-resistance claim. Request care instructions and agree cleaning trials before production. Use our testing and certification service to define the evidence needed for the proposed claims.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 1,000 pairs of woven beekeeping gloves; illustrative order only 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 and grip: measure the fingers, thumb, palm and gauntlet against the approved size chart. Check that the wearer can hold a hive tool without excessive loose fabric.
Seams and fabric: inspect fingertips, thumb crotch and gauntlet joins for skipped stitches, holes and exposed seam edges. Compare fabric weight and lining with the approved sample.
Cuff and cleaning: check elastic recovery, sleeve overlap and cuff security during hand movement. Repeat the agreed cleaning trial and inspect shrinkage, stiffness and colour transfer.
Claims and documents: compare markings and supplier evidence with the delivered design, materials and intended protection. Follow our quality inspection guide when agreeing the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
An acceptable palm fit can hide short fingers, a tight thumb or a gauntlet that pulls away from the sleeve during work. Weak fingertip seams and loose cuff elastic can undermine the finished design. Compare the complete glove with the approved sample, including its lining and cuff, rather than checking only the outer fabric.
A supplier may offer a general glove report without evidence addressing the proposed sting-resistance claim. Do not treat a fabric description or a marking alone as proof of that claim. Agree the evidence and acceptable product wording before labels are printed, and check that production materials match the tested design.
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 beekeeping gloves from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 6% standard duty and a conditional suspension at 0.00 % for non-knitted textile gloves. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded. Confirm suspension eligibility with your broker.
Do woven beekeeping gloves need CE or UKCA marking?
For gloves sold to protect the wearer, confirm with the relevant authority whether personal protective equipment rules apply and which conformity assessment and CE or UKCA marking requirements apply in Great Britain.
Does a glove test report prove sting resistance?
Check what the report actually tests and which design it covers. Ask for evidence addressing the intended sting-resistance claim, rather than accepting a general glove report.
What should I check when beekeeping gloves arrive?
Check finger and thumb fit, gauntlet overlap with the suit sleeve, cuff recovery, fingertip seams, lining and cleaning performance. Compare delivered materials and documents with the approved sample.