HS Code for Boxing Gloves
Boxing gloves are not classified with other sports equipment in chapter 95; the HTSUS sends sports gloves to the chapter for their outer material instead. Leather boxing gloves point toward subheading 4203.21 (sports gloves of leather), gloves with a PVC or polyurethane shell toward 3926.20, and woven textile gloves toward heading 6216. General rates for these lines run from 0.8% to 4.9%, so identifying the outer shell material is the first step in exploring the most appropriate code.
HTS Codes for Boxing Gloves
| HTS Code | Description | Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4203.21.80.60 | Sports gloves of leather or composition leather, other (including boxing gloves) Boxing, MMA and bag gloves with an outer shell of genuine or composition leather | 4.9% |
| 3926.20.30.00 | Sports gloves of plastics, other than baseball and softball gloves Boxing and training gloves with a shell of PVC, vinyl or polyurethane (synthetic leather) | 3% |
| 6216.00.46.00 | Sports gloves of man-made fibers, not knitted, not coated Woven synthetic-textile gloves specially designed for sports, such as light training or bag gloves with a textile outer | 2.8% |
| 6216.00.08.00 | Sports gloves of textile fabric impregnated, coated or covered with plastics or rubber Woven textile sports gloves whose fabric is coated or covered with plastics or rubber | 0.8% |
| 9506.91.00.30 | Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, other Punching bags, speed bags, focus pads and similar boxing training equipment that are not gloves | 4.6% |
| 6506.10.60.45 | Safety headgear for athletic, recreational and sporting use, other than reinforced or laminated plastics Padded boxing and sparring headgear (head guards) not made of reinforced or laminated plastics | Free |
| 6506.10.30.45 | Safety headgear for athletic, recreational and sporting use, of reinforced or laminated plastics Sparring headgear and helmets built on a reinforced or laminated plastic shell | Free |
How to Approach Classification for Boxing Gloves
A common assumption is that boxing gloves belong in chapter 95 alongside punching bags and other sports equipment. The HTSUS points the other way: the notes to chapter 95 exclude sports gloves, mittens and mitts, which are classified according to their constituent material. CBP rulings on boxing gloves have followed that approach, which is why the material of the glove, rather than the sport, is the main variable to explore.
For gloves with a genuine leather or composition leather outer, subheading 4203.21 is the starting point. It provides specifically for leather gloves specially designed for use in sports, with breakouts for baseball and softball gloves, ski gloves, ice hockey gloves and golf gloves. Boxing gloves are not named, so they point toward the residual 'other' sports line at 4203.21.80, where CBP has placed cowhide boxing gloves.
Many boxing gloves on the market are made with a synthetic leather shell of PVC, vinyl or polyurethane. Because subheading 4203.21 covers only leather and composition leather, these gloves point toward heading 3926 instead, specifically 3926.20 for articles of apparel and clothing accessories of plastics, including gloves. Within it, the 'specially designed for use in sports' line at 3926.20.30 is the most appropriate code to explore for a synthetic boxing glove, rather than the general plastic gloves line.
Gloves with a textile outer follow the textile chapters. Woven gloves point toward heading 6216, which separates sports gloves (lower rates) from ordinary gloves, and also separates fabric that is coated or covered with plastics or rubber. Knitted textile gloves point toward heading 6116 instead. Where a glove combines several materials, such as a leather palm with a mesh back, the material that gives the glove its essential character usually drives the suggestion, which often comes down to the outer shell.
Related training gear sits elsewhere. Punching bags, speed bags and focus pads point toward heading 9506 (9506.91, general physical exercise equipment), while padded sparring headgear points toward heading 6506 for safety headgear. A practical approach is to confirm the outer material of the glove first, then confirm it is specially designed for sports, and treat bags, pads and headgear as separate lines on the same shipment.
Duty Rate Overview
General rates for boxing gloves are moderate and depend on the outer material. Leather boxing gloves under 4203.21.80 carry a general rate of 4.9%, while synthetic leather (plastic) sports gloves under 3926.20.30 carry 3%. Woven textile sports gloves of man-made fibers under 6216.00.46 carry 2.8%, and woven sports gloves of coated fabric under 6216.00.08 carry 0.8%. Punching bags and other exercise equipment under 9506.91 carry 4.6%, and sports safety headgear under heading 6506 enters at a general rate of Free.
These are general (MFN) rates only. Additional duties such as Section 301 or IEEPA measures can apply on top and vary by country of origin, while free trade agreement preferences may reduce the duty for qualifying goods. These figures are estimates for general planning purposes only.