HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4015.12 – Rubber; vulcanised (other than hard rubber), gloves, of a kind used for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes
HS code 4015.12 is the 6-digit subheading for rubber, vulcanised (other than hard rubber), gloves, of a kind used for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes. It is used for surgical gloves, examination gloves, dental gloves, veterinary gloves and sterile medical gloves.
What HS 4015.12 covers
This HS code covers vulcanised rubber gloves specifically designed for medical, surgical, dental, or veterinary applications. These are critical items in healthcare, providing barrier protection against pathogens and contaminants. The global trade in medical gloves is immense, especially amplified by public health crises. Major importers include hospitals, clinics, government health agencies, and pharmaceutical companies worldwide, with demand driven by infection control protocols and healthcare worker safety. Exporters are predominantly countries with large-scale rubber glove manufacturing facilities, particularly in Southeast Asia, which benefit from access to raw materials and efficient production lines. Key factors in this trade include material (latex, nitrile, neoprene), sterility, fit, tactile sensitivity, and compliance with international standards (e.g., ASTM, EN). The EUDR tag highlights the importance of ensuring that the natural rubber used in these gloves is sourced responsibly, without contributing to deforestation, which is a growing concern for ethical procurement in the medical supply chain.
- Covers
- Surgical gloves
- Examination gloves
- Dental gloves
- Veterinary gloves
- Sterile medical gloves
- Non-sterile medical gloves
- Examples
- Ansell Micro-Touch
- Cardinal Health Flexal
- Medline Aloetouch
- Top Glove
- Hartalega
Codes often confused with 4015.12
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 401519 (other rubber gloves) due to its specific medical application. Confusion can arise if non-medical gloves are mistakenly classified here, or if specialized medical devices containing rubber are not correctly separated from simple gloves.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 401512, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 401512 in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 37% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Malaysia $2.4B 42% of world exports
- 2 China $1.3B 22% of world exports
- 3 Thailand $845M 15% of world exports
World total: $5.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $2.0B 37% of world imports
- 2 Germany $492M 9.0% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $178M 3.3% of world imports
World total: $5.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for 4015.12
Brazil does not split HS 4015.12: its NCM code is 4015.12.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 40.15 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
Questions about HS 4015.12
What is HS code 401512?
HS code 401512 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Rubber; vulcanised (other than hard rubber), gloves, of a kind used for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes. This HS code covers vulcanised rubber gloves specifically designed for medical, surgical, dental, or veterinary applications. These are critical items in healthcare, providing barrier protection against pathogens and contaminants. The global trade in medical gloves is immense, especially amplified by public health crises. Major importers include hospitals, clinics, government health agencies, and pharmaceutical companies worldwide, with demand driven by infection control protocols and healthcare worker safety. Exporters are predominantly countries with large-scale rubber glove manufacturing facilities, particularly in Southeast Asia, which benefit from access to raw materials and efficient production lines. Key factors in this trade include material (latex, nitrile, neoprene), sterility, fit, tactile sensitivity, and compliance with international standards (e.g., ASTM, EN). The EUDR tag highlights the importance of ensuring that the natural rubber used in these gloves is sourced responsibly, without contributing to deforestation, which is a growing concern for ethical procurement in the medical supply chain.
What products fall under HS code 401512?
Surgical gloves, examination gloves, dental gloves, veterinary gloves, sterile medical gloves, non-sterile medical gloves
What are common misclassifications for HS code 401512?
This code is distinct from 401519 (other rubber gloves) due to its specific medical application. Confusion can arise if non-medical gloves are mistakenly classified here, or if specialized medical devices containing rubber are not correctly separated from simple gloves.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 401512?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 401512 in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($2.4B, 42% of world exports), China ($1.3B) and Thailand ($845M). World exports came to about $5.7B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 401512?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 401512 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.0B, 37% of world imports), Germany ($492M) and the United Kingdom ($178M). World imports came to about $5.4B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 401512 structured?
HS code 401512 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (40) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (15) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 401512?
In Brazil, HS code 401512 is NCM 4015.12.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.