Product classification
HS code for Industrial rubber gloves: 4015.19
Rubber, vulcanised (other than hard rubber), gloves, mittens and mitts other than surgical gloves.
Classification of industrial rubber gloves under HS 4015.19
Industrial rubber gloves are classified under HS code 4015.19. This classification is governed by Chapter 40, which covers rubber and articles thereof. Heading 4015 specifically includes articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves, mittens, and mitts) for all purposes, made of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber. The subheading 4015.19 is a residual category for "other" gloves, meaning those that are not specifically designed for surgical use. Industrial gloves are typically thicker and more durable than surgical gloves, designed to protect workers from chemicals, abrasions, or environmental hazards. The classification is determined by the material (vulcanized rubber) and the intended use (general industrial protection vs. medical surgical procedures). The vulcanization process, which involves treating the rubber with sulfur and heat to improve its strength and elasticity, is a prerequisite for classification in this heading. If the gloves were made of "hard rubber" (ebonite), they would fall under heading 4017. The classification also considers the construction of the glove; if the glove is made of textile fabric that has been merely dipped in rubber, it may be classified in Chapter 61 or 62 as a textile article, depending on the thickness and the visibility of the rubber coating to the naked eye.
- Covers
- Chemical-resistant vulcanized rubber gloves
- Heavy-duty industrial work gloves
- Rubber mittens for industrial handling
- Insulated rubber gloves for non-electrical work
- Reusable household-style rubber gloves for industrial cleaning
- Also under 4015.19
Playtex Living Gloves, Ansell HyFlex, Mapa Professional, Kimberly-Clark Kimtech, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Gloves
Codes often confused with 4015.19
Common mistake. Industrial rubber gloves are often confused with HS code 4015.11, which is strictly for surgical gloves. Surgical gloves are usually sterile and have specific thinness requirements that industrial gloves do not meet. Another common misclassification is HS code 3926.20, which covers gloves made of plastics (like PVC or Nitrile if considered plastic). If the glove is made of synthetic rubber, it remains in Chapter 40, but if it is primarily plastic, it moves to Chapter 39. Additionally, textile-supported gloves with a rubber coating may be classified under 6116 or 6216 depending on the predominant material by weight.
Top exporters and importers of HS 401519 (the code used for industrial rubber gloves), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 401519 (the code used for industrial rubber gloves) in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 21% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 401519, not only industrial rubber gloves.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Malaysia $981M 27% of world exports
- 2 China $779M 21% of world exports
- 3 Thailand $556M 15% of world exports
World total: $3.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $920M 21% of world imports
- 2 Japan $369M 8.5% of world imports
- 3 Germany $227M 5.2% of world imports
World total: $4.4B 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 industrial rubber gloves
Brazil classifies industrial rubber gloves under NCM 4015.19.00: HS 4015.19 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
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 industrial rubber gloves
What is the HS code for Industrial rubber gloves?
The HS code for Industrial rubber gloves is 401519 (Rubber; vulcanised (other than hard rubber), gloves, mittens and mitts other than surgical gloves). The HS code for industrial rubber gloves (non-surgical) is 4015.19.
How do I classify Industrial rubber gloves for customs?
Industrial rubber gloves is classified under HS code 401519 — Rubber; vulcanised (other than hard rubber), gloves, mittens and mitts other than surgical gloves. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are nitrile gloves classified under the same code?
Yes, nitrile is considered a synthetic rubber in the HS system, so nitrile industrial gloves are generally classified under 4015.19, provided they are vulcanized.
Which countries are the top exporters of industrial rubber gloves (HS 401519)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 401519 (the code used for industrial rubber gloves) in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($981M, 27% of world exports), China ($779M) and Thailand ($556M). World exports came to about $3.7B, 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 industrial rubber gloves (HS 401519)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 401519 (the code used for industrial rubber gloves) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($920M, 21% of world imports), Japan ($369M) and Germany ($227M). World imports came to about $4.4B, 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.
Is the HS code for Industrial rubber gloves the same in all countries?
The base HS code 401519 for Industrial rubber gloves is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for industrial rubber gloves in Brazil?
In Brazil, industrial rubber gloves (HS 401519) is classified under NCM 4015.19.00.