Disposable Glove Tariffs: What You Need to Know
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Time to read 1 min
Disposable Glove Tariffs: Rising Costs & Market Shifts
The global disposable glove market is undergoing a seismic shift as the United States implements new tariffs on Chinese imports. Exam-grade disposable gloves will face a 100% tariff, while General-Purpose Grade Gloves are subject to a 27% tariff. These dramatic increases will have a profound impact on the industry, affecting pricing, supply chains, and the competitive landscape.
China’s Response: Relocation, but Not at Scale
In response to these disposable glove tariffs, Chinese manufacturers are looking to shift operations to other countries. To try to bypass these restrictions. However, they will be unable to do so at the same scale they are at now. This means that as old China-produced gloves exit the market, new China gloves will re-enter at significantly higher prices—far above what consumers have grown accustomed to.
The affect? The combination of these disposable glove tariffs and supply chain disruptions will push glove prices higher in 2025. Suppliers and distributors will experience rolling backorders, leading to intermittent shortages. This instability will create challenges for businesses that rely on a steady supply of disposable gloves, making vendor relationships more crucial than ever.
The Resurgence of Malaysia and Thailand
For decades, Malaysia and Thailand have been the premier suppliers of nitrile and latex gloves. China’s aggressive expansion in the sector temporarily shifted business away from them. Now, with China facing insurmountable disposable glove tariffs, the industry is flooding back to these two countries. This shift will redefine the supply chain and reshape the competitive dynamics of the disposable glove market.
Why Sara Glove Will Weather the Storm
Amidst this uncertainty, Sara Glove stands strong. Our extensive network of over 50 vendors and access to thousands of brands gives us a unique advantage in navigating these turbulent times. Unlike competitors who may struggle with supply chain disruptions, our vast vendor exposure ensures consistency in product availability.
Furthermore, our ability to negotiate lower vendor prices and secure large allocation agreements positions us to maintain competitive pricing even as the industry faces increasing costs. Our customers can rest assured that we are prepared to handle these challenges head-on, delivering quality products with reliable service.
