HS Code for Leather Gloves
Leather gloves are classified in heading 4203 of the HTSUS, which covers articles of apparel and clothing accessories of leather or composition leather. Within it, the first split is whether the glove is specially designed for use in sports (4203.21) or is another type, such as work, driving or dress gloves (4203.29). The type of leather, how much of the glove is leather, and construction details such as fourchettes, seaming and lining then point toward specific lines. General rates range from Free for some sports gloves up to 14% for certain work and dress gloves.
HTS Codes for Leather Gloves
| HTS Code | Description | Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4203.29.05.00 | Gloves wholly of horsehide or cowhide leather, with fourchettes or sidewalls Cowhide or horsehide work and driver gloves made wholly of leather, with full fourchettes between the fingers | 12.6% |
| 4203.29.08.00 | Gloves wholly of horsehide or cowhide leather, other Cowhide or horsehide gloves made wholly of leather, without full fourchettes | 14% |
| 4203.29.15.00 | Gloves of horsehide or cowhide leather, not wholly of leather, with fourchettes or sidewalls Cowhide work gloves with a fabric back or cuff, with full fourchettes between the fingers | 14% |
| 4203.29.30.10 | Men's leather gloves, seamed, not lined (other than horsehide or cowhide) Men's unlined dress or fashion gloves of goatskin, sheepskin, deerskin or similar leather | 14% |
| 4203.29.30.20 | Men's leather gloves, seamed, lined (other than horsehide or cowhide) Men's lined winter or dress gloves of leathers other than cowhide or horsehide | 14% |
| 4203.29.40.00 | Leather gloves for other persons, seamed, not lined (other than horsehide or cowhide) Women's and children's unlined fashion gloves of lambskin, goatskin or similar leather | 12.6% |
| 4203.29.50.00 | Leather gloves for other persons, seamed, lined (other than horsehide or cowhide) Women's and children's lined leather gloves of leathers other than cowhide or horsehide | 12.6% |
| 4203.21.40.00 | Baseball and softball gloves and mitts of leather (other than batting gloves) Leather fielding gloves and catcher's or first-base mitts | Free |
| 4203.21.20.00 | Batting gloves of leather Leather baseball and softball batting gloves | 3% |
| 4203.21.60.00 | Ski or snowmobile gloves, mittens and mitts of leather, other than cross-country Leather downhill ski and snowmobile gloves and mittens | 5.5% |
| 4203.21.70.00 | Ice hockey gloves of leather Leather ice hockey gloves | Free |
| 4203.21.80.30 | Golf gloves of leather Leather golf gloves | 4.9% |
How to Approach Classification for Leather Gloves
Leather gloves point toward heading 4203, the provision for articles of apparel and clothing accessories of leather or of composition leather. The heading separates gloves, mittens and mitts into two subheadings: 4203.21 for gloves specially designed for use in sports, and 4203.29 for all other leather gloves, including work, driving, dress and winter gloves.
Within the sports subheading, the HTSUS names several glove types. Baseball and softball gloves and mitts (including batting gloves), ski and snowmobile gloves (with cross-country ski gloves split out), and ice hockey gloves each have their own lines, and other sports gloves, including golf gloves, point toward the residual 4203.21.80. A glove is considered for this subheading when it is specially designed for a sport, not merely suitable for outdoor use.
For non-sports gloves under 4203.29, the type of leather is the next branch. Gloves of horsehide or cowhide leather (except calfskin) are separated from gloves of other leathers such as goatskin, sheepskin, lambskin, deerskin or pigskin. Within the horsehide and cowhide group, the HTSUS asks whether the glove is wholly of leather or combines leather with other materials (for example a fabric back), and whether it has fourchettes or sidewalls that extend from fingertip to fingertip between each of the four fingers.
Gloves of other leathers branch by construction. Gloves that are not seamed have their own line, and seamed gloves split between men's gloves and gloves for other persons, then between lined and unlined. A lined lambskin glove for women and an unlined goatskin glove for men therefore point toward different statistical lines, even though both sit in 4203.29.
A practical approach is to confirm first whether the glove is specially designed for a sport, then identify the leather type, then check construction (wholly of leather or not, fourchettes, seaming, lining) and the intended wearer. Gloves where the leather is only a minor component, such as a knit glove with a leather palm patch, may point toward the textile glove headings instead, so the material that gives the glove its essential character is worth confirming.
Duty Rate Overview
General rates for leather gloves vary widely by type. Several sports lines enter Free, including baseball and softball gloves and mitts (4203.21.40) and ice hockey gloves (4203.21.70), while leather batting gloves carry 3%, downhill ski and snowmobile gloves 5.5%, and golf and other sports gloves 4.9%. Non-sports leather gloves are higher: cowhide or horsehide gloves run from 12.6% (wholly of leather, with fourchettes) to 14%, men's seamed gloves of other leathers carry 14%, and seamed gloves of other leathers for other persons carry 12.6%.
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.