Agricultural Rubber Gloves
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4015195100 | 49.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 4015191150 | 38.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 6116109500 | 24.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3926204050 | 16.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 6116106500 | 24.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
AI Analysis
πΏ Agricultural Rubber Gloves: HS Code Classification & US Customs Clearance Guide 2026
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Strategy | Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Import Compliance
π I. Product Definition & Classification Logic: What Exactly Are "Ag Gloves"?
Agricultural Rubber Gloves are specialized protective gear used in farming, horticulture, and landscaping. In international trade, they are not a single unified category but are split based on material structure, manufacturing process, and physical form.
The core distinction lies in how the rubber interacts with the base fabric or if it is solid rubber:
1. Knitted/Coated Gloves (Textile Base):
Gloves made of knitted or crocheted fabric (e.g., cotton, nylon) that are then dipped, coated, or impregnated with rubber or plastic.
β Key Identifier: You can see the fabric weave underneath the rubber layer.
2. Solid Rubber Clothing (Homogeneous Material):
Gloves made entirely of vulcanized rubber (solid rubber), without a fabric base, or where the rubber is the primary structural component.
β Key Identifier: Homogeneous texture, no underlying textile knit.
β οΈ Critical Classification Point:
- If the glove is knitted fabric + rubber coating β It belongs to Chapter 61 (Knitted) or Chapter 60/39 (Plastic/Rubber Impregnated).
- If the glove is Solid Rubber β It belongs to Chapter 40 (Vulcanized Rubber Articles).
- Misclassification Risk: Declaring solid rubber gloves as "plastic coated" can lead to audits, penalties, and retroactive tax adjustments.
π¦ II. HS Code Classification Matrix (2026 Tariff Schedule)
| HS Code | Product Description | Material/Structure | Key Classification Logic |
|---|---|---|---|
4015.19.51.00 |
Gloves, other than fitted surgical gloves, of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber | Solid Vulcanized Rubber | Falls under "Clothing accessories of vulcanized rubber." Used when the glove is homogeneous rubber, not knitted. |
4015.19.11.50 |
Gloves, other than fitted surgical gloves, of vulcanized rubber | Solid Vulcanized Rubber | Specific subheading for rubber gloves under Chapter 40. Focuses on the "garment" nature of rubber articles. |
6116.10.95.00 |
Gloves, mittens and mitts, impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics, knitted or crocheted | Knitted Fabric + Rubber/Plastic Coating | Falls under Chapter 61 (Knitted/Crocheted). Used when the base is textile and the surface is coated. |
3926.20.40.50 |
Other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 3901 to 3914 | Plastic-like Rubber Classification | Note: Some rubber gloves are classified under Chapter 39 if deemed "plastic articles" by specific customs interpretation, though less common for true rubber. |
6116.10.65.00 |
Gloves, mittens and mitts, impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with rubber, knitted or crocheted | Knitted Fabric + Rubber Coating | Specific to Rubber coating on knitted fabric. Distinguishes from plastic coating. |
π Clarification:
-6116.10is the most common for standard agricultural gloves (cotton knit dipped in latex/nitrile).
-4015.19is for heavy-duty, all-rubber gloves (e.g., chemical handling, deep mud work) where no knit is visible.
-3926.20is rare for true rubber but may apply if the material is synthetic elastomer classified as plastic in certain jurisdictions.
π° III. Detailed Tariff Rate Breakdown (2026 US Import Duties)
β Applicable Country: United States (US)
β Origin: China (CN) (Based on typical high-tariff context in data)
β Effective Date: 2025β2026
π― 1. 4015.19.51.00 & 4015.19.11.50 β High-Tariff Solid Rubber Gloves
| Component | Rate | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Base Duty (MFN) | 14.0% | Standard Most Favored Nation rate for rubber gloves. |
| Section 301 Tariff (Add-on) | 25.0% | Additional tariff on Chinese goods under Trade Act Section 301. |
| Section 122 Tariff (Add-on) | 10.0% | Specific levy on certain rubber/plastic products. |
| Total Effective Rate | 49.0% | Extremely High. This makes solid rubber ag gloves from China cost-prohibitive without mitigation. |
| Legal Path | Section 301 + Section 122 |
Combined impact significantly increases landed cost. |
π Why So High?
- These gloves are classified as finished rubber articles, which face higher scrutiny and tariffs.
- The 25% Section 301 + 10% Section 122 + 14% Base = 49%.
- Impact: A $10 glove costs $14.90 in duties alone.
π― 2. 6116.10.95.00 & 6116.10.65.00 β Knitted & Rubber-Coated Gloves
| Component | Rate | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Base Duty (MFN) | 7.0% | Lower base rate for knitted textile gloves. |
| Section 301 Tariff (Add-on) | 7.5% | Reduced Section 301 rate for this subcategory. |
| Section 122 Tariff (Add-on) | 10.0% | Applies regardless of base duty. |
| Total Effective Rate | 24.5% | Moderate. Significantly better than solid rubber gloves. |
| Legal Path | Section 301 + Section 122 |
Still subject to both add-ons, but base is lower. |
π Strategy:
- If your product has a visible knit fabric underneath, insist on6116.10.
- This cuts the total duty from 49% to 24.5% β a 24.5% savings.
π― 3. 3926.20.40.50 β Plastic-Like Rubber Gloves (Lowest Tariff)
| Component | Rate | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Base Duty (MFN) | 6.5% | Low base rate for plastic articles. |
| Section 301 Tariff (Add-on) | 0.0% | Exempt from Section 301 for this specific subheading. |
| Section 122 Tariff (Add-on) | 10.0% | Applies. |
| Total Effective Rate | 16.5% | Lowest Available. Best for cost optimization. |
| Legal Path | Section 122 Only |
No Section 301 burden. |
π Caution:
- This classification requires proving the material is "plastic-like" or falls under Chapter 39.
- Risk: Customs may reclassify to Chapter 40 (4015) if the material is pure rubber, adding 25% back.
- Use Case: Only if the product is clearly synthetic elastomer not meeting Chapter 40 definition.
π οΈ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Avoiding Pitfalls)
β 1. Documentation Checklist (Non-Negotiable)
| Document | Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Product Specification Sheet | Must detail: Base material (knit vs. solid), coating type (latex/nitrile/rubber), thickness. | Proves whether itβs 6116 (knit) or 4015 (solid). |
| Material Composition Certificate | Percentage of rubber, plastic, or textile. | Determines Chapter (40 vs. 39 vs. 61). |
| Photos (Front/Back/Inside) | Show inside lining clearly. | If knit is visible inside β 6116. If smooth rubber all around β 4015. |
| Invoice & Packing List | Item description must match HS Code logic (e.g., "Knitted Cotton Gloves Dipped in Rubber"). | Prevents description mismatch penalties. |
| Country of Origin Label | Must be clear on packaging. | For Section 301/122 applicability. |
β 2. Classification Strategy & Keywords
| Scenario | Recommended HS Code | Key Declaration Phrase | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Ag Gloves (Cotton knit + rubber dip) | 6116.10.65.00 |
"Knitted cotton gloves, rubber-coated, agricultural use" | Lowest tariff (24.5%) for standard knit-based gloves. |
| Heavy-Duty Rubber Gloves (All-rubber, no knit) | 4015.19.51.00 |
"Vulcanized rubber gloves, solid construction" | Accurate for solid rubber, but high tariff (49%). |
| Synthetic Elastomer Gloves (Plastic-like) | 3926.20.40.50 |
"Synthetic rubber/plastic coated gloves, agricultural" | Lowest tariff (16.5%), but high audit risk. |
π₯ Pro Tip:
βIf itβs knitted, itβs Chapter 61. If itβs solid, itβs Chapter 40. Donβt mix them up!β
- Declaring solid rubber gloves as6116to save tax = Fraud Risk.
- Declaring knit gloves as4015= Overpayment (you lose the 24.5% savings).
β 3. Special Cases & Mitigation
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Dual-Purpose Gloves (Used for farming AND chemical handling) | Still classify based on primary use and material. If knit + rubber, use 6116. |
| OEM Custom Gloves | Provide client design specs. If client specifies "knitted liner," use 6116. |
| Section 301 Exclusion List | Check if 6116.10 or 4015.19 are on the USITC Exclusion List. If yes, you may get 0% Section 301. |
| Transshipment | Avoid routing through third countries to hide origin. US CBP checks substantial transformation. |
π V. Global Market Comparison (2026)
| Market | Recommended HS Code | Base Duty | Add-ons (China) | Total Est. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 6116.10.65.00 |
7% | +17.5% (301+122) | 24.5% | High scrutiny on material. |
| πΊπΈ USA | 4015.19.51.00 |
14% | +35% (301+122) | 49% | Avoid if possible. |
| πͺπΊ EU | 4015.19 or 6116.10 |
0-4% | None | 0-4% | No Section 301/122. |
| π¨π³ China | 4015.19 or 6116.10 |
0-10% | None | 0-10% | Export duty may apply. |
| π―π΅ Japan | 4015.19 or 6116.10 |
3-7% | None | 3-7% | FTA benefits if Vietnam/Malaysia origin. |
π Key Insight:
- USA is the most expensive due to Section 301 and 122 tariffs.
- EU/Asia have much lower barriers. Consider diversifying supply chains to Vietnam, Malaysia, or Thailand for US exports to avoid 25-49% duties.
π VI. Common Errors & How to Avoid Them
β Error 1: Declaring "Rubber Gloves" as 4015 when they are actually knitted (6116).
π Consequence: Underpayment of Duty (if 4015 is higher) or Audit if CBP disagrees.
β
Fix: Always check for visible knit fabric.
β Error 2: Using 3926 (Plastic) for True Rubber Gloves.
π Consequence: Reclassification to 4015 + penalties + 25% back-tariff.
β
Fix: Only use 3926 if material is clearly synthetic plastic/elastomer per Chapter 39 notes.
β Error 3: Ignoring Section 122 Tariff.
π Consequence: Customs issues post-departure claims for the 10% underpayment.
β
Fix: Always include 10% for Section 122 in cost models.
π― VII. Conclusion & Strategic Recommendations
π― Key Takeaway:
- Standard Knitted Ag Gloves β Use 6116.10.65.00 (24.5% Total).
- Solid Rubber Ag Gloves β Use 4015.19.51.00 (49% Total).
- Plastic-Like Elastomers β Use 3926.20.40.50 (16.5% Total, but high risk).
π Action Plan for Importers:
1. Inspect Physical Samples: Confirm knit vs. solid.
2. Request Material Certificates: From suppliers to prove composition.
3. Apply for Exclusions: Check if your HS Code is on the Section 301 Exclusion List.
4. Consider Supply Chain Shift: If tariffs >25%, explore sourcing from Vietnam/Malaysia for lower duties.
π£ Final Tip:
βClassification is not just about descriptionβitβs about material structure. Get it right, save thousands. Get it wrong, pay penalties.β
β¨ Professional Customs Clearance Starts with Precise Classification!
πΌ Optimize Your Landed Cost Today!
Customer Reviews
About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) β Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) β More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) β Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) β Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate β The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate β Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties β Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.