Chapter 40 covers rubber and articles thereof, including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, reclaimed rubber, and various rubber products. This chapter is divided into three levels: raw materials, semi-finished products, and finished products, from rubber in primary forms to final products such as tires, hoses, and gloves. Nitrile rubber is a synthetic rubber, and its products are classified under different headings according to use and material. This chapter is common and error-prone in customs classification, and attention must be paid to distinguishing it from plastic products. Heading 4015 specifically covers articles of apparel and clothing accessories of rubber, including various gloves, mittens, mitts, etc., for protection, medical, industrial, or household use. Gloves under this heading must be wholly of rubber, or the rubber part must constitute the essential character. According to the type of rubber and use, it is further subdivided into several subheadings, such as surgical gloves, other medical use, industrial use, etc. Code 401512 is a six-digit subheading: 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 of rubber, including gloves); digits 5-6 '12' represent subheading 401512, specifically 'surgical gloves of nitrile rubber'. Among them, the 5th digit '1' indicates subheading 4015.1 (surgical gloves), and the 6th digit '2' further distinguishes the material as nitrile rubber. The overall code precisely points to nitrile rubber gloves used for surgery. The product is surgical gloves of nitrile rubber, made of synthetic rubber (nitrile rubber), used for surgery, conforming to the description of heading 4015. It is not classified under 4015.19 (other surgical gloves of rubber) because the material is specifically nitrile rubber; it is not classified under 4015.90 (other rubber gloves) because the use is specifically surgical. Therefore, 401512 is the most precise classification.
Chapter
Chapter 40 covers rubber and articles thereof, including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, reclaimed rubber, and various rubber products. This chapter is divided into three levels: raw materials, semi-finished products, and finished products, from rubber in primary forms to final products such as tires, hoses, and gloves. Nitrile rubber is a synthetic rubber, and its products are classified under different headings according to use and material. This chapter is common and error-prone in customs classification, and attention must be paid to distinguishing it from plastic products.
Heading
Heading 4015 specifically covers articles of apparel and clothing accessories of rubber, including various gloves, mittens, mitts, etc., for protection, medical, industrial, or household use. Gloves under this heading must be wholly of rubber, or the rubber part must constitute the essential character. According to the type of rubber and use, it is further subdivided into several subheadings, such as surgical gloves, other medical use, industrial use, etc.
Digit Breakdown
Code 401512 is a six-digit subheading: 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 of rubber, including gloves); digits 5-6 '12' represent subheading 401512, specifically 'surgical gloves of nitrile rubber'. Among them, the 5th digit '1' indicates subheading 4015.1 (surgical gloves), and the 6th digit '2' further distinguishes the material as nitrile rubber. The overall code precisely points to nitrile rubber gloves used for surgery.
Classification Basis
The product is surgical gloves of nitrile rubber, made of synthetic rubber (nitrile rubber), used for surgery, conforming to the description of heading 4015. It is not classified under 4015.19 (other surgical gloves of rubber) because the material is specifically nitrile rubber; it is not classified under 4015.90 (other rubber gloves) because the use is specifically surgical. Therefore, 401512 is the most precise classification.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity should be accurately described as 'surgical gloves of nitrile rubber', avoiding colloquial or abbreviated names. Material: Specify the type of rubber of the gloves, such as nitrile rubber, and indicate whether other components are contained (such as coating or powder). Use: Explain the usage scenario of the gloves, such as surgery, examination, protection, etc., and it must be specific to 'surgery'. Brand: Fill in the brand or manufacturer name of the gloves; if no brand, fill in 'no brand'. Model/Specification: Indicate the size (such as 6.5, 7, 7.5), length, thickness, and other specification information of the gloves. Packaging Specification: Explain the quantity per box/carton, such as '100 pieces/box, 10 boxes/carton'. Sterile or Not: Declare whether the gloves have undergone sterilization treatment; surgical gloves are usually sterile. Product Name: Surgical gloves of nitrile rubber; Material: Nitrile rubber (powder-free, sterile); Use: Surgery; Brand: MedGlove; Model/Specification: Size 7.5, length 280mm, thickness 0.12mm; Packaging Specification: 50 pieces/box, 20 boxes/carton; Sterile or Not: Yes. Mistakenly classifying nitrile rubber gloves under 401519 (other surgical gloves of rubber), ignoring material specificity. Failing to distinguish surgical gloves from examination gloves, resulting in classification under 401519 or 401590. Not indicating 'sterile' at declaration, which may affect regulatory conditions and tax rate application.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity should be accurately described as 'surgical gloves of nitrile rubber', avoiding colloquial or abbreviated names.
⚠️ Misreported as 'medical rubber gloves' or 'nitrile gloves', without specifying 'surgical use'.
Material
Specify the type of rubber of the gloves, such as nitrile rubber, and indicate whether other components are contained (such as coating or powder).
⚠️ Only writing 'rubber', without distinguishing nitrile rubber from natural rubber, latex, etc.
Use
Explain the usage scenario of the gloves, such as surgery, examination, protection, etc., and it must be specific to 'surgery'.
⚠️ Generally writing 'medical use', without distinguishing surgical from examination use.
Brand
Fill in the brand or manufacturer name of the gloves; if no brand, fill in 'no brand'.
⚠️ Omitting the brand or filling it in incompletely.
Model/Specification
Indicate the size (such as 6.5, 7, 7.5), length, thickness, and other specification information of the gloves.
⚠️ Not providing specific size, only writing 'one size'.
Packaging Specification
Explain the quantity per box/carton, such as '100 pieces/box, 10 boxes/carton'.
⚠️ Incomplete packaging information, resulting in customs inability to verify the quantity.
Sterile or Not
Declare whether the gloves have undergone sterilization treatment; surgical gloves are usually sterile.
⚠️ Not indicating the sterile status, affecting classification and regulatory conditions.
Mistakenly classifying nitrile rubber gloves under 401519 (other surgical gloves of rubber), ignoring material specificity.
Failing to distinguish surgical gloves from examination gloves, resulting in classification under 401519 or 401590.
Not indicating 'sterile' at declaration, which may affect regulatory conditions and tax rate application.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1) the material is nitrile rubber (synthetic rubber); 2) the use is surgery; 3) it conforms to the definition of heading 4015 'articles of apparel and clothing accessories of rubber'. According to the Import and Export Tariff, subheading 401512 explicitly lists 'surgical gloves of nitrile rubber', so as long as the material and use are satisfied, it should be classified under this code. If the material is other rubber or the use is not surgical, it is classified under adjacent subheadings. 401511 Surgical gloves of natural rubber: The material is natural rubber or latex, not nitrile rubber. When classifying, the type of rubber must be confirmed; natural rubber gloves are classified under 401511. 401519 Other surgical gloves of rubber: The material is rubber other than natural rubber and nitrile rubber (such as neoprene), or synthetic rubber not specifically named. 401590 Other gloves of rubber: The use is not surgical, such as industrial, household, examination, etc., and the material is not limited. It must be distinguished according to use. 392620 Gloves of plastics: The material is plastic (such as PVC, PE), not rubber. Nitrile rubber is a synthetic rubber and should be classified under Chapter 40. Is the material nitrile rubber? Is the use surgery? Is it sterile packaging? Is it mixed with other materials? Is it an article of apparel?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1) the material is nitrile rubber (synthetic rubber); 2) the use is surgery; 3) it conforms to the definition of heading 4015 'articles of apparel and clothing accessories of rubber'. According to the Import and Export Tariff, subheading 401512 explicitly lists 'surgical gloves of nitrile rubber', so as long as the material and use are satisfied, it should be classified under this code. If the material is other rubber or the use is not surgical, it is classified under adjacent subheadings.
Confused Codes：
401511 - Surgical gloves of natural rubber
The material is natural rubber or latex, not nitrile rubber. When classifying, the type of rubber must be confirmed; natural rubber gloves are classified under 401511.
401519 - Other surgical gloves of rubber
The material is rubber other than natural rubber and nitrile rubber (such as neoprene), or synthetic rubber not specifically named.
401590 - Other gloves of rubber
The use is not surgical, such as industrial, household, examination, etc., and the material is not limited. It must be distinguished according to use.
392620 - Gloves of plastics
The material is plastic (such as PVC, PE), not rubber. Nitrile rubber is a synthetic rubber and should be classified under Chapter 40.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material nitrile rubber?
✓ Is the use surgery?
✓ Is it sterile packaging?
✓ Is it mixed with other materials?
✓ Is it an article of apparel?
❓ FAQ
How to inquire about the HS code for nitrile rubber surgical gloves? You can use the official website of the General Administration of Customs, HS code inquiry platforms, or consult a customs broker. Enter the keyword 'nitrile rubber surgical gloves', and the system will recommend 401512. Attention must be paid to confirming the material and use to avoid misclassification under other subheadings. What is the difference between the HS codes for nitrile rubber gloves and latex gloves? If latex gloves are for surgical use, they are classified under 401511; nitrile rubber surgical gloves are classified under 401512. The difference lies in the material: latex is natural rubber, nitrile is synthetic rubber. Material proof must be provided during classification. Can examination gloves be classified under 401512? No. 401512 specifically refers to surgical gloves; examination gloves are usually classified under 401519 or 401590. If examination gloves are made of nitrile rubber but are not for surgical use, they should be classified under 401519 (other surgical gloves of rubber? No, examination gloves are not surgical, so they should be classified under 401590). Is a sterility certificate required at declaration? Yes, if declared as sterile surgical gloves, a sterilization certificate or relevant documents must be provided. Customs may require inspection to ensure that classification and regulatory conditions are consistent. How to inquire about the tax rate for nitrile rubber gloves? The tax rate must be determined according to the current year's Import and Export Tariff, and can be inquired through the tax rate inquiry system of the General Administration of Customs or by consulting a customs broker. Note that tax rates may differ under different trade modes (such as general trade and processing trade). If the gloves contain powder, will it affect classification? Usually it does not affect classification, but 'powdered' or 'powder-free' must be indicated at declaration. The powder composition may affect regulatory conditions, such as certain powders requiring additional testing. How to declare nitrile rubber gloves sold via cross-border e-commerce? Cross-border e-commerce must declare the HS code according to the actual commodity and provide complete declaration elements. The regulatory methods for personal items and commercial parcels are different; it is recommended to consult a professional customs broker. What are the consequences of incorrect classification? It may lead to supplementary taxes, fines, cargo detention, or even administrative penalties. It is recommended to declare truthfully and, if necessary, apply for advance classification to ensure accurate coding.
Q: How to inquire about the HS code for nitrile rubber surgical gloves?
A: You can use the official website of the General Administration of Customs, HS code inquiry platforms, or consult a customs broker. Enter the keyword 'nitrile rubber surgical gloves', and the system will recommend 401512. Attention must be paid to confirming the material and use to avoid misclassification under other subheadings.
Q: What is the difference between the HS codes for nitrile rubber gloves and latex gloves?
A: If latex gloves are for surgical use, they are classified under 401511; nitrile rubber surgical gloves are classified under 401512. The difference lies in the material: latex is natural rubber, nitrile is synthetic rubber. Material proof must be provided during classification.
Q: Can examination gloves be classified under 401512?
A: No. 401512 specifically refers to surgical gloves; examination gloves are usually classified under 401519 or 401590. If examination gloves are made of nitrile rubber but are not for surgical use, they should be classified under 401519 (other surgical gloves of rubber? No, examination gloves are not surgical, so they should be classified under 401590).
Q: Is a sterility certificate required at declaration?
A: Yes, if declared as sterile surgical gloves, a sterilization certificate or relevant documents must be provided. Customs may require inspection to ensure that classification and regulatory conditions are consistent.
Q: How to inquire about the tax rate for nitrile rubber gloves?
A: The tax rate must be determined according to the current year's Import and Export Tariff, and can be inquired through the tax rate inquiry system of the General Administration of Customs or by consulting a customs broker. Note that tax rates may differ under different trade modes (such as general trade and processing trade).
Q: If the gloves contain powder, will it affect classification?
A: Usually it does not affect classification, but 'powdered' or 'powder-free' must be indicated at declaration. The powder composition may affect regulatory conditions, such as certain powders requiring additional testing.
Q: How to declare nitrile rubber gloves sold via cross-border e-commerce?
A: Cross-border e-commerce must declare the HS code according to the actual commodity and provide complete declaration elements. The regulatory methods for personal items and commercial parcels are different; it is recommended to consult a professional customs broker.
Q: What are the consequences of incorrect classification?
A: It may lead to supplementary taxes, fines, cargo detention, or even administrative penalties. It is recommended to declare truthfully and, if necessary, apply for advance classification to ensure accurate coding.
⚠️ 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.