Chapter 40 covers rubber and articles thereof, including raw materials such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and vulcanized rubber, as well as various finished rubber products. This chapter ranges from rubber in primary forms to final products such as tires, hoses, and gloves. Heading 4015 covers articles of apparel and clothing accessories of vulcanized rubber, including gloves and clothing accessories. This chapter is a core chapter for rubber industry products, involving multiple fields such as medical, industrial, and daily use. Heading 4015 covers articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves), of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber. Specifically included: various gloves (surgical gloves, household gloves, industrial gloves, etc.), other articles of apparel (such as rubber aprons, rubber trousers, etc.) and accessories (such as rubber sleeves, etc.). However, it excludes articles of hard rubber (classified under 4017) and garments made of rubber combined with textile materials (usually classified under Chapter 61 or 62). Code 401511 has 6 digits. The first 2 digits "40" represent Chapter 40: Rubber and articles thereof. Digits 3-4 "15" represent heading 4015: Articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves), of vulcanized rubber. Digits 5-6 "11" represent subheading 401511: Surgical gloves. Among these, subheading 401511 specifically refers to surgical gloves, while 401519 covers other gloves. Therefore, 401511 specifically refers to gloves of vulcanized rubber for surgical use, usually sterile and single-use. The product is surgical gloves of vulcanized rubber, which conforms to the description of heading 4015 "articles of apparel and clothing accessories of vulcanized rubber," and subheading 401511 explicitly lists "surgical gloves." Therefore, it is classified under 401511. If the gloves are for other uses (such as household gloves, industrial gloves), they are classified under 401519; if made of hard rubber, they are classified under 4017; if made of rubber combined with textile materials where the textile material constitutes the essential character, they may be classified under Chapter 61 or 62.
Chapter
Chapter 40 covers rubber and articles thereof, including raw materials such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and vulcanized rubber, as well as various finished rubber products. This chapter ranges from rubber in primary forms to final products such as tires, hoses, and gloves. Heading 4015 covers articles of apparel and clothing accessories of vulcanized rubber, including gloves and clothing accessories. This chapter is a core chapter for rubber industry products, involving multiple fields such as medical, industrial, and daily use.
Heading
Heading 4015 covers articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves), of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber. Specifically included: various gloves (surgical gloves, household gloves, industrial gloves, etc.), other articles of apparel (such as rubber aprons, rubber trousers, etc.) and accessories (such as rubber sleeves, etc.). However, it excludes articles of hard rubber (classified under 4017) and garments made of rubber combined with textile materials (usually classified under Chapter 61 or 62).
Digit Breakdown
Code 401511 has 6 digits. The first 2 digits "40" represent Chapter 40: Rubber and articles thereof. Digits 3-4 "15" represent heading 4015: Articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves), of vulcanized rubber. Digits 5-6 "11" represent subheading 401511: Surgical gloves. Among these, subheading 401511 specifically refers to surgical gloves, while 401519 covers other gloves. Therefore, 401511 specifically refers to gloves of vulcanized rubber for surgical use, usually sterile and single-use.
Classification Basis
The product is surgical gloves of vulcanized rubber, which conforms to the description of heading 4015 "articles of apparel and clothing accessories of vulcanized rubber," and subheading 401511 explicitly lists "surgical gloves." Therefore, it is classified under 401511. If the gloves are for other uses (such as household gloves, industrial gloves), they are classified under 401519; if made of hard rubber, they are classified under 4017; if made of rubber combined with textile materials where the textile material constitutes the essential character, they may be classified under Chapter 61 or 62.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity should be accurately described as "surgical gloves" or "medical surgical gloves," avoiding the vague term "rubber gloves." Material: State the material of the gloves, such as "of vulcanized rubber," and specify whether it is natural rubber or synthetic rubber (such as nitrile rubber, latex, etc.). Use: Clearly state the use of the gloves, such as "for surgical operations," and indicate whether they are sterile and single-use. Brand: Declare the brand of the gloves (fill in "none" if no brand). Brand affects price and intellectual property rights and must be declared truthfully. Model/Specification: Fill in the model, size (such as 6.5, 7, 7.5, etc.) and packaging specifications (such as 50 pairs per box) of the gloves. Sterile or Not: Declare whether the gloves have undergone sterilization treatment. Surgical gloves are usually sterile-packaged. Packaging Type: Describe inner and outer packaging, such as "paper box, 50 pairs per box, 10 boxes per carton." Product Name: Surgical gloves; Material: Of vulcanized natural rubber; Use: For surgical operations, single-use sterile; Brand: None; Model/Specification: Size 7.5, 50 pairs per box; Sterile or Not: Yes; Packaging Type: Paper box, 50 pairs per box, 10 boxes per carton. Incorrectly classifying surgical gloves under 401519 (other gloves), leading to differences in tariffs and regulatory conditions. Incomplete material declaration, failing to specify "vulcanized" and the specific rubber type, which may raise classification doubts. Use description too broad, such as only writing "medical use" without specifying "for surgical operations," affecting subheading determination.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity should be accurately described as "surgical gloves" or "medical surgical gloves," avoiding the vague term "rubber gloves."
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring as "household gloves" or "industrial gloves," leading to classification errors.
Material
State the material of the gloves, such as "of vulcanized rubber," and specify whether it is natural rubber or synthetic rubber (such as nitrile rubber, latex, etc.).
⚠️ Only writing "rubber" without distinguishing between vulcanized and unvulcanized rubber, or incorrectly writing "plastic."
Use
Clearly state the use of the gloves, such as "for surgical operations," and indicate whether they are sterile and single-use.
⚠️ Vague use description, such as "medical use," without specifying surgical operations.
Brand
Declare the brand of the gloves (fill in "none" if no brand). Brand affects price and intellectual property rights and must be declared truthfully.
⚠️ Failing to declare the brand or incorrectly declaring the brand, leading to customs questioning.
Model/Specification
Fill in the model, size (such as 6.5, 7, 7.5, etc.) and packaging specifications (such as 50 pairs per box) of the gloves.
⚠️ Unclear specification description, such as only writing "medium" without providing specific dimensions.
Sterile or Not
Declare whether the gloves have undergone sterilization treatment. Surgical gloves are usually sterile-packaged.
⚠️ Failing to declare sterility status, which may affect inspection and quarantine requirements.
Packaging Type
Describe inner and outer packaging, such as "paper box, 50 pairs per box, 10 boxes per carton."
⚠️ Packaging description too simple, such as "carton," making it impossible to determine the actual packaging situation.
Example： Product Name: Surgical gloves; Material: Of vulcanized natural rubber; Use: For surgical operations, single-use sterile; Brand: None; Model/Specification: Size 7.5, 50 pairs per box; Sterile or Not: Yes; Packaging Type: Paper box, 50 pairs per box, 10 boxes per carton.
Common Mistakes：
Incorrectly classifying surgical gloves under 401519 (other gloves), leading to differences in tariffs and regulatory conditions.
Incomplete material declaration, failing to specify "vulcanized" and the specific rubber type, which may raise classification doubts.
Use description too broad, such as only writing "medical use" without specifying "for surgical operations," affecting subheading determination.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification basis: The product is surgical gloves of vulcanized rubber. According to General Rules of Interpretation 1 and 6, classification is based on heading texts and subheading texts. Heading 4015 explicitly includes gloves of vulcanized rubber; subheading 401511 explicitly lists "surgical gloves." Therefore, as long as it is confirmed that the material is vulcanized rubber and the use is for surgical operations, it is classified under 401511. Note: If the gloves are of hard rubber, they are classified under 4017; if made of rubber combined with textile materials where the textile material constitutes the essential character, they are classified under Chapter 61 or 62; if made of unvulcanized rubber, they are classified under 4005 or otherwise. 401519 Other gloves: 401519 covers other vulcanized rubber gloves besides surgical gloves, such as household gloves, industrial gloves, etc. The difference lies in use: those exclusively for surgical operations are classified under 401511, while those for other uses are classified under 401519. 401590 Other articles of apparel and clothing accessories: 401590 covers other articles of apparel and clothing accessories of vulcanized rubber, such as aprons, sleeves, etc., excluding gloves. Gloves are separately listed under 401511 and 401519. 4017 Articles of hard rubber: 4017 covers hard rubber (such as hard rubber gloves), while 4015 only covers soft vulcanized rubber. Hard rubber gloves are not classified under 4015. 611610 Knitted gloves impregnated with rubber: 611610 covers knitted or crocheted gloves impregnated or coated with rubber. If the textile material constitutes the essential character, they are classified under Chapter 61; if rubber constitutes the essential character, they are classified under 4015. 621600 Non-knitted gloves impregnated with rubber: 621600 covers non-knitted gloves impregnated with rubber. If textile material constitutes the essential character, they are classified under Chapter 62; otherwise, they are classified under 4015. Confirm the gloves are made of vulcanized rubber, not unvulcanized rubber or plastic. Confirm the use is for surgical operations, not other medical or general uses. Confirm the gloves are not made of hard rubber, otherwise they would be classified under 4017. Confirm the gloves are not made of rubber combined with textile materials where textile constitutes the essential character. Confirm whether the gloves are sterile and single-use to assist in determining the use.
Basis
Core classification basis: The product is surgical gloves of vulcanized rubber. According to General Rules of Interpretation 1 and 6, classification is based on heading texts and subheading texts. Heading 4015 explicitly includes gloves of vulcanized rubber; subheading 401511 explicitly lists "surgical gloves." Therefore, as long as it is confirmed that the material is vulcanized rubber and the use is for surgical operations, it is classified under 401511. Note: If the gloves are of hard rubber, they are classified under 4017; if made of rubber combined with textile materials where the textile material constitutes the essential character, they are classified under Chapter 61 or 62; if made of unvulcanized rubber, they are classified under 4005 or otherwise.
Confused Codes：
401519 - Other gloves
401519 covers other vulcanized rubber gloves besides surgical gloves, such as household gloves, industrial gloves, etc. The difference lies in use: those exclusively for surgical operations are classified under 401511, while those for other uses are classified under 401519.
401590 - Other articles of apparel and clothing accessories
401590 covers other articles of apparel and clothing accessories of vulcanized rubber, such as aprons, sleeves, etc., excluding gloves. Gloves are separately listed under 401511 and 401519.
4017 - Articles of hard rubber
4017 covers hard rubber (such as hard rubber gloves), while 4015 only covers soft vulcanized rubber. Hard rubber gloves are not classified under 4015.
611610 - Knitted gloves impregnated with rubber
611610 covers knitted or crocheted gloves impregnated or coated with rubber. If the textile material constitutes the essential character, they are classified under Chapter 61; if rubber constitutes the essential character, they are classified under 4015.
621600 - Non-knitted gloves impregnated with rubber
621600 covers non-knitted gloves impregnated with rubber. If textile material constitutes the essential character, they are classified under Chapter 62; otherwise, they are classified under 4015.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm the gloves are made of vulcanized rubber, not unvulcanized rubber or plastic.
✓ Confirm the use is for surgical operations, not other medical or general uses.
✓ Confirm the gloves are not made of hard rubber, otherwise they would be classified under 4017.
✓ Confirm the gloves are not made of rubber combined with textile materials where textile constitutes the essential character.
✓ Confirm whether the gloves are sterile and single-use to assist in determining the use.
❓ FAQ
How to determine whether surgical gloves should be classified under 401511 or 401519? The key is the use: vulcanized rubber gloves exclusively for surgical operations are classified under 401511; those for other uses (such as examination, household, industrial) are classified under 401519. When declaring, proof of use such as medical device registration certificates must be provided. Are nitrile surgical gloves also classified under 401511? Yes. The subheading text of 401511 is "surgical gloves," which does not limit the type of rubber. As long as the material is vulcanized rubber (including nitrile rubber, natural rubber, etc.) and used for surgical operations, it is classified under 401511. How to check the tariff rate for surgical gloves? It can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China. Tariff rates may vary due to trade agreements, country of origin, and other factors. It is recommended to refer to the latest tariff schedule. When declaring surgical gloves, is a medical device registration certificate required? According to customs regulations, imported medical devices require a medical device registration certificate. Surgical gloves are Class II medical devices and require submission of a registration certificate to customs upon import, and are subject to inspection and quarantine. If surgical gloves are sterile-packaged, are there any special requirements for declaration? It is necessary to indicate "sterile" in the declaration elements and provide the sterilization method (such as ethylene oxide sterilization). Customs may require a sterility test report to ensure compliance with hygiene standards. Is the classification of surgical gloves affected by packaging? Packaging does not affect classification, but the packaging type and specifications must be declared truthfully. Classification depends on the material and use of the gloves themselves, not the packaging form. Are surgical gloves imported through cross-border e-commerce channels also required to be declared under 401511? Yes. Cross-border e-commerce imports are also required to be declared under HS codes and comply with medical device regulatory requirements. Small quantities for personal use may be subject to postal tax, but commercial imports require formal customs declaration. If surgical gloves are combined with textile materials, how is classification determined? According to the General Rules of Interpretation, if textile materials constitute the essential character, they are classified under Chapter 61 or 62; if rubber constitutes the essential character, they are classified under 4015. Typically, surgical gloves are made of pure rubber and rarely combined with textile materials.
Q: How to determine whether surgical gloves should be classified under 401511 or 401519?
A: The key is the use: vulcanized rubber gloves exclusively for surgical operations are classified under 401511; those for other uses (such as examination, household, industrial) are classified under 401519. When declaring, proof of use such as medical device registration certificates must be provided.
Q: Are nitrile surgical gloves also classified under 401511?
A: Yes. The subheading text of 401511 is "surgical gloves," which does not limit the type of rubber. As long as the material is vulcanized rubber (including nitrile rubber, natural rubber, etc.) and used for surgical operations, it is classified under 401511.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for surgical gloves?
A: It can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China. Tariff rates may vary due to trade agreements, country of origin, and other factors. It is recommended to refer to the latest tariff schedule.
Q: When declaring surgical gloves, is a medical device registration certificate required?
A: According to customs regulations, imported medical devices require a medical device registration certificate. Surgical gloves are Class II medical devices and require submission of a registration certificate to customs upon import, and are subject to inspection and quarantine.
Q: If surgical gloves are sterile-packaged, are there any special requirements for declaration?
A: It is necessary to indicate "sterile" in the declaration elements and provide the sterilization method (such as ethylene oxide sterilization). Customs may require a sterility test report to ensure compliance with hygiene standards.
Q: Is the classification of surgical gloves affected by packaging?
A: Packaging does not affect classification, but the packaging type and specifications must be declared truthfully. Classification depends on the material and use of the gloves themselves, not the packaging form.
Q: Are surgical gloves imported through cross-border e-commerce channels also required to be declared under 401511?
A: Yes. Cross-border e-commerce imports are also required to be declared under HS codes and comply with medical device regulatory requirements. Small quantities for personal use may be subject to postal tax, but commercial imports require formal customs declaration.
Q: If surgical gloves are combined with textile materials, how is classification determined?
A: According to the General Rules of Interpretation, if textile materials constitute the essential character, they are classified under Chapter 61 or 62; if rubber constitutes the essential character, they are classified under 4015. Typically, surgical gloves are made of pure rubber and rarely combined with textile materials.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.