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40151200
4Articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves, mittens and mitts), for all purposes, of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber

Of a kind used for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes

Standard EU duty
2%
VAT
23%
Additional duties / sanctions
0 rules
Docs required
6 docs
N954U045U078U079Y997Y984
Standard rates
Applies toTypeRateConditionsRegulation
ERGA OMNESThird country duty2%R1832/21
Preferences
AD 0%AL 0%BA 0%CA 0%CAMER 0%CARI 0%CH 0%CI 0%CL 0%CM 0%CO 0%DZ 0%EBA 0%EC 0%EEA 0%EG 0%EH 0%ESA 0%EUCA 0%FJ 0%FO 0%GB 0%GE 0%GH 0%GSP 0%GSP+ 0%IL 0%JO 0%JP 0%KE 0%KR 0%LB 0%LOMB 0%MA 0%MD 0%ME 0%MK 0%MX 0%NZ 0%PE 0%PG 0%PS 0%SADC EPA 0%SB 0%SG 0%SM 0%SWITZ 0%SY 0%TN 0%TR 0%UA 0%VN 0%WS 0%XC 0%XK 0%XL 0%XS 0%ZA 0%
Notes
CD303The relief from or reduction of customs duties shall be subject to the specific request expressed by the declarant in box 44 "Additional information/Documents produced/Certificates and authorisations", of the Single Administrative Document (SAD)
TM904Preferences granted under the agreement between the European Union and Morocco in force from 19 July 2019.As of 3 October 2025, products originating in Western Sahara subject to controls by the customs authorities of the Kingdom of Morocco shall benefit from trade preferences under the terms of the new Agreement in the form of exchange of letters between the EU and Morocco, The European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to allow those products to be identified by reference to the region of origin to be included in the proof of origin and as provided for in Protocol 4.In view of the application of these measures, the origin certificates codes U179 and U180 must be declared.The country code to be entered in the origin declaration when these proofs of origin are used is “EH”.
CD727Eligibility to benefit from this preference is subject to the presentation of an origin declaration stating the European Union origin of the goods, in the context of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
CD906The list of non-eligible locations and their postal codes is available at the following address: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/technical-arrangement_postal-codes.pdf
CD500Eligibility to benefit from this preference is subject to the presentation of a proof of origin stating the community origin of the goods, in the context of the agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation.
5

Binding Tariff Information

BTI classification examples

DEgold002/25-1

Medical examination gloves, nitrile rubber, disposable

nitrilkautschuk (NBR)GRI 1GRI 6
DEgold512/25-1

Disposable nitrile rubber gloves for medical use

rubberGRI 1GRI 6
DEgold671/23-1

Surgical nitrile rubber gloves

rubberGRI 1GRI 6
DEgold901/21-2

Disposable latex gloves for medical use

latexGRI 1GRI 6
ESgold5REN1241

Single-use nitrile examination gloves

acrylicGRI 1GRI 6

BTI (Binding Tariff Information) is an official EU customs decision confirming the classification of goods. Valid for 3 years, binding across all EU member states.

What are medical rubber gloves under CN 401512

CN code 401512 covers disposable and reusable gloves made of vulcanised rubber intended for medical and healthcare applications. This classification includes surgical gloves used in operating theatres, diagnostic and examination gloves used during medical examinations, dental gloves protecting dentists and patients, and veterinary gloves used by veterinary practitioners. These products must meet stringent standards concerning leak-tightness, wall thickness and freedom from allergenic chemical substances. They are typically produced from natural latex, nitrile or neoprene. A key requirement is certification as a medical device confirmed by CE marking and compliance with EN 455 for medical gloves or equivalent standards. These gloves are imported mainly from East and South-East Asian countries, including Malaysia, Thailand and China.

Applications and technical requirements for medical gloves

Medical gloves covered by CN code 401512 must guarantee a protective barrier against biological, chemical and infectious agents. In surgery, sterile gloves with enhanced fit precision are used, providing adequate tactile sensitivity. Examination gloves, though not necessarily sterile, must be hole-free and provide leak-tightness confirmed by AQL testing. In dentistry, gloves enabling precise work and resistant to disinfectants are required. In veterinary practice, long protective gloves reaching the elbow have gained popularity. An important aspect when importing is the declaration of conformity, medical device technical documentation and registration in the EUDAMED database. Products marked exclusively for non-medical use are subject to a different tariff classification.

Tariff classification and trade in medical gloves

Medical gloves under CN code 401512 are subject to intensive international trade, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased global demand for personal protective equipment. When importing from countries outside the European Union, correctly determining the applicable customs duty rate and any tariff preferences arising from trade agreements is essential. The classification of the product as a medical device can significantly affect the VAT rate applied in the destination country. Attention must be paid to Medical Device Regulation requirements governing the placement of such products on the EU market. Compliance with sanitary requirements, quality certificates and declarations of conformity are indispensable both for importation and distribution within the European Union.

Frequently asked questions

Are nitrile medical gloves classified under CN code 401512?
Yes, nitrile gloves intended for medical purposes, including surgical, diagnostic and dental use, are classified under CN code 401512 provided they meet the definition of a medical device. Nitrile is a synthetic rubber and is subject to the same classification as natural latex. The key criterion is the medical intended purpose of the product confirmed by appropriate certification, rather than the material itself.
What documents are required when importing medical gloves into the EU?
Importing medical gloves into the EU requires an EU declaration of conformity, medical device technical documentation, a notified body certificate for Class II and above, registration in EUDAMED, and CE marking. Test reports confirming compliance with EN 455 or an equivalent standard and manufacturer documentation are also necessary. Absence of these documents may result in the goods being detained at the border by customs authorities or market surveillance bodies.
How are medical gloves distinguished from non-medical gloves for customs purposes?
The main criterion is the intended purpose of the product as confirmed by documentation. Medical gloves carry CE marking as a medical device, a device registration number and a declaration of conformity with the MDR or former MDD. Non-medical gloves such as household or industrial gloves do not carry such certification. Customs authorities may verify the actual intended use based on labels, technical documentation and information provided by the manufacturer or importer.