How to Import Nitrile Gloves

Many essential medical supplies are in short supply in today’s current environment. One of the ways to limit this shortage is to import surgical gloves. These crucial items are needed to protect medical personnel, patients, and more. When importing surgical gloves, there are important details that need to be considered. This includes government regulations, customs clearance, tariffs, and more. All of these factors show why it’s important to work with a trusted partner to quickly and successfully import surgical gloves. 

USA Customs Clearance, powered by AFC International, offers personal customs consulting services to help you import surgical gloves. We provide you with all of the information you need to successfully import your vital goods. You’ll get the advice you need and we’ll handle the rest. 

What is the Import Duty for Nitrile Gloves?

Nitrile gloves are part of a larger group of medical gloves that includes examination gloves and special chemotherapy gloves designed specifically for handling chemotherapy products. All of these gloves are considered personal protective equipment, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These medical gloves aid healthcare workers and patients by protecting their hands from infectious germs in places and situations when infection is likely. 

There is no import duty on nitrile gloves imported into the U.S. However, using the wrong tariff classification code for your gloves can lead to incorrectly being assesed an import duty. Our team of Licensed Customs Brokers work with you to ensure that products are accurately classified with the correct HTS code. This ensures your gloves are imported duty free.

What About Nitrile Gloves From China?

A large number of surgical and medical gloves are imported from China into the U.S. each year. In 2018, the U.S. government applied additional tariffs on nearly all goods imported from China. These new restrictions significantly impacted trade between the two world powers. 

In early March 2020, the U.S. began granting exemptions for vital medical supplies including gloves imported from China. This action lowered the barrier to bring these important goods into the country. 

Even with no import tariffs, it’s still crucial to work with an experienced partner like USA Customs Clearance. We make the import process easy and smooth with no interruptions to your critical supply chain.

FDA Guidelines When Importing Nitrile Gloves

As noted above, surgical gloves are grouped together with other types of medical gloves according to the FDA. All of these gloves are further classified as personal protective equipment (PPE). This large classification encompasses a variety of products that are meant to prevent the spread of infection, illness, and injury. Examples of PPE include facemasks, helmets, protective clothings, goggles, and more. 

Once your surgical gloves have been approved by the FDA, you can initiate the import process. Many importers choose to speak with an import export consultant at this point. Working with an import consultant reduces the likelihood that major troubles will arise during the import. This includes complete loss of goods due to seizure by CBP, which many importers experienced shortly after the global pandemic hit.

If you're unsure about the import compliance of your shipment, it's always recommended to utilize the services of an experienced customs broker. USA Customs Clearance and our team of licensed brokers are here to help you every step of the way.

Does the FDA Require a 510K For Nitrile Gloves?

Nitrile gloves, including for surgical use, are categorized as class 1 medical devices. This means they’re regulated by the FDA and require a 510(k) premarket notification. The FDA reviews the gloves to insure that they meet specific criteria related to safety and performance. 

It's important to note that many nitrile gloves have already received approval through a 510K. If you're importing nitrile gloves that have already been approved, then you won't need to go through the 510K process. You'll simply need to reference the 510K to show the gloves you're importing have already been approved.

Using Consulting Services When Importing Nitrile Gloves

As noted above, consulting with a customs expert is an advisable part of the importing process. There are many details that can be overlooked which can lead to unwanted fees or delays of your shipment. An experienced customs broker will have the necessary knowledge and experience to ensure this doesn’t happen to your valuable goods.

USA Customs Clearance, powered by AFC International, offers 2 convenient options for customs consulting. You can consult with an Import Expert or a Licensed Customs Broker. Our Import Expert consulting session is recommended for those that have little to no experience in importing. We’ll walk you through the entire process from start to finish, giving you a full understanding of how importing goods works. If you still need more time with our experts, we can craft a custom solution to meet your needs. 

If you have some experience in importing goods, but haven’t dealt with surgical gloves before, meeting with a Licensed Customs Broker might work for you. Our Licensed Customs Broker will give you everything you need to know to successfully import your surgical gloves. We’ll go over how to make sure your shipment complies with FDA standards and more. 

Regardless of which option you choose, at the end of your consulting session you’ll have everything you need to ensure a hassle-free import. 

Do I Need a Customs Bond to Import Nitrile Gloves?

One of the most important aspects of the import process is ensuring you have a customs bond when necessary. A customs bond is required when importing $2,500 or more of commercial goods. This is also required when goods being imported are regulated by government agencies. Therefore, a customs bond is required when importing surgical gloves. 

If you’ve never imported goods before, the purpose of a customs bond may be unclear to you. A Customs bond acts as an insurance policy to ensure that all fees and duties associated with an import shipment are paid. It’s an agreement between the company supplying the bond, the import of record and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). 

USA Customs Clearance offers continuous customs bonds which cover all imports within 1 year of the bond’s issue date. With same day approval for a customs bond, we can get your import moving quickly and into the hands of people that need them.

What Other Documents Are Needed When Importing?

In addition to a customs bond, there are other essential documents needed for the import process. 

Other documents you’ll need when importing include:

1. Packing List: This shows important details about what’s inside of a sealed package including quantity of products, dimensions, weight, and more.
2. Bill of Lading: This document serves as a receipt of shipment for the receiver, shipper, and carrier.
3. Arrival Notice: This document is required to be transmitted electronically to customs officials prior to arrival in the U.S. A paper copy that matches the electronic data should also accompany the shipment.
4. Commercial Invoice: Information including value of the goods, HTSUS number, detailed product descriptions, and more are included on the invoice.

Missing or inaccurate documents can lead to a delayed shipment or unplanned customs fees. USA Customs Clearance will work with you to make sure your import shipment has all of the required documentation. Whether you're importing face masks, surgical gloves, or another critical need product, we'll ensure your goods arrive quickly and without issue.

Schedule a Customs Consulting Session

Trying to import surgical gloves in the current state of the world can be a daunting task. Luckily, USA Customs Clearance is here to help guide you through the process. From gathering and completing all of the required paperwork to clearing your goods at the border, we’ll be with you every step of the way. We’ll make the import process easy and hassle-free to ensure your surgical gloves reach the people in need quickly. 

Schedule your customs consulting session with USA Customs Clearance today. Our knowledgeable and experienced consultants are ready to assist you with your surgical gloves import.