CLA-2-61:OT:RR:NC:N3:354
Nick Laviola
Tronex International
300 International Drive
Mount Olive, NJ 07828
RE: The tariff classification of a glove and a mitt from Sri Lanka
Dear Mr. Laviola:
In your letter dated July 22, 2025, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The samples were consumed in
laboratory analysis.
Item “Fudo Shield” is a string knit glove stated to be constructed of 44% high performance polyethylene
(HPPE), 34% polyester, 11% steel spandex, and 11% elastane. The work glove features a knit cuff with an
overlock stitch finish. It is stated to be cut resistant and designed for food compatibility handling and other
industries as well.
The glove sample was analyzed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Laboratory. The results
indicate the glove is composed of one, multi-ply yarn. There is an additional yarn inserted in the cuff of the
glove, which was not analyzed. The yarn is composed of five plies, all twisted together; two metal wires,
twisted with two polyester multifilament fiber plies, twisted with a polyethylene multifilament fiber ply. The
overall fiber content of the glove, excluding the cuff, was analyzed to be polyethylene 56.5 %, polyester 35.1
%, and metal 8.4 %. The metal is in the form of a wire, and contains iron, chromium, and nickel elements.
The metal wire is twisted with the polyester and polyethylene fibers in the yarn.
Heading 5605, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), provides for inter alia, yarn
consisting of metal plus any textile material, including strips, obtained by twisting, cabling or gimping,
whatever the proportion of metal present. The Explanatory Notes (ENs) to the HTSUS for heading 5605,
state in pertinent part:
This heading covers:
1) Yarn consisting of any textile material (including monofilament, strip and the like and paper yarn)
combined with metal thread or strip, whether obtained by a process of twisting, cabling or by
gimping, whatever the proportion of metal present.
For the “Fudo Shield” glove, the construction of the yarn is described in EN (1) above. Accordingly, the
yarn used in making the item is a metalized yarn of heading 5605, HTSUS. For tariff purposes metalized
yarn is considered to be “other” textile material, i.e., not man-made fiber. The weight of all fibers present in a
yarn that qualifies under heading 5605, HTSUS, is governed by Section XI, Note 2 (B)(a) at the six- and
eight-digit levels.
However, in determining the classification of these items at the statistical level (10 digits), we must look at
all the components as directed by Statistical Note (2) to Section XI, HTSUS, which states in pertinent part:
(c) The term "subject to man-made fiber restraints" means articles not provided for in (a) or (b) above
and the man-made fiber component, or the man-made fibers and any cotton, wool or fine animal hair
in the aggregate, equals or exceeds 50 percent by weight of all the component fibers thereof.
The applicable subheading for the “Fudo Shield” glove will be 6116.99.9530, HTSUS, which provides for
Gloves, mittens and mitts, knitted or crocheted: Other: Of other textile materials: Other: Subject to man-made
fiber restraints. The general rate of duty will be 3.8 percent ad valorem.
Item “SLV071 Wrist to Elbow Sleeve” is best described as a long sleeve work mitt measuring approximately
18 inches in length. The mitt is knit and stated to be composed of 51.4% HPPE, 30.6% polyester, 9.7% steel,
5.6% elastic and 2.8% spandex. The mitt covers the palm except the fingers, the entire wrist, and the forearm
up just past the elbow. The mitt is fingerless and features a thumbhole, an expandable gusset allowing an
adjustable fit, and an elastic hook and loop closure at the top of the sleeve portion. The mitt is cut resistant
and is designed for use in glass handling, foundry work, and general-purpose work applications.
The mitt sample was analyzed by the CBP Laboratory. The results indicate the sleeve portion of the item is
constructed of three different yarns, not twisted together. There is an additional yarn inserted in the hand
portion of the sleeve, which is also not twisted together with the other yarns. Yarn A is composed of four
plies, twisted together; two metal wires twisted with polyester and polyethylene multifilament fibers. Yarn B
is composed of two plies, an elastomeric monofilament twisted with polyester multifilament fibers. Yarn C is
a single ply, multifilament fiber yarn, composed of polyethylene fibers. Yarn D (additional hand portion
yarn) is composed of two plies, a rubber monofilament wrapped with polyester multifilament fibers. The
metal in Yarn A is in the form of a wire, and contains chromium, iron, and nickel elements. The metal wire is
twisted with the polyester/polyethylene fibers in Yarn A. The metalized yarn is composed of 4 plies, all
twisted together; two metal wires, twisted with a polyester multifilament fiber ply, twisted with a
polyethylene multifilament fiber ply. The overall fiber content of the mitt, except for the hook and loop
closure, was analyzed to be polyethylene 53.5 %, polyester 33.8 %, metal 9.6 %, rubber 1.8% and
elastomeric 1.3 %.
The CBP Laboratory confirmed that although the three yarns for the sleeve portion of the work mitt are knit
together, they are not twisted together and that for the hand portion, the four yarns are knit together but not
twisted together. Thus, all are separate and distinct yarns. Based upon the overall fiber breakdown for the
finished item, the mitt is of chief weight man-made fibers for classification purposes.
The applicable subheading for the “SLV071 Wrist to Elbow Sleeve” mitt is 6116.93.8800, which provides
for Gloves, mittens and mitts, knitted or crocheted: Other: Of synthetic fibers: Other: Other: Without
fourchettes. The general rate of duty will be 18.6%.
The duties cited above are current as of this ruling’s issuance. Duty rates are provided for your convenience
and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided
at https://hts.usitc.gov/.
This ruling does not address the applicability of any additional duties, taxes, fees, exactions and/or other
charges, which may apply to the goods discussed herein. This includes, but is not limited to, tariffs and other
duties as provided for in Subchapter III to Chapter 99, HTSUS. Thus, for example, in addition to the
classification stated above, the merchandise covered by this ruling may also need to be reported with either
the Chapter 99 provision under which an additional tariff applies or one of the Chapter 99 provisions
covering exceptions to such tariffs.
For further information to assist with the importation process, please refer to the frequently updated Cargo
Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) messages at
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/automated/cargo-systems-messaging-service and the Trade Remedies page at
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/trade-remedies.
The holding set forth above applies only to the specific factual situation and merchandise description as
identified in the ruling request. This position is clearly set forth in Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), Section 177.9(b)(1). This section states that a ruling letter is issued on the assumption that all of the
information furnished in the ruling letter, whether directly, by reference, or by implication, is accurate and
complete in every material respect. In the event that the facts are modified in any way, or if the goods do not
conform to these facts at time of importation, you should bring this to the attention of U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) and submit a request for a new ruling in accordance with 19 CFR 177.2.
Additionally, we note that the material facts described in the foregoing ruling may be subject to periodic
verification by CBP.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs and Border Protection
Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).
A copy of the ruling or the control number indicated above should be provided with the entry documents
filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If you have any questions regarding the ruling, please contact
National Import Specialist Karen Sikorski at [email protected].
Sincerely,
(for)
James Forkan
Designated Official Performing the Duties of the Division Director
National Commodity Specialist Division