Importing leather work gloves from Sialkot isn’t complicated, but it does reward a bit of planning. In short: pin down your spec, check the manufacturer properly, get a quote and samples, agree terms, inspect before shipping, and sort out freight and customs for your country. Do those in order and most of the usual headaches never show up.
We’ve been making gloves in Sialkot for over 20 years, and the company is 100% export-oriented, so we’ve watched a lot of first-time importers go through this. Some breeze through it. Others get stuck on things that were easy to avoid. This guide is the version we’d give a friend.
Why Buyers Source Work Gloves From Sialkot
Sialkot has been making gloves for a very long time. Pakistan’s trade body, TDAP, describes the city as the centre of the country’s glove manufacturing, covering everything from sports and winter gloves to industrial and labour gloves. That history matters more than it sounds. Leather suppliers, cutters, stitchers, lining and cuff makers and packaging firms are all close by, so a factory can turn a sample around quickly and change details without waiting weeks for parts.
The other reason is range. One supplier can usually make split leather rigger gloves, leather welding gloves and protective clothing under one roof, which keeps your shipments simple.
Step 1: Decide Exactly What You Need
This is the step people rush, and it causes most of the problems later. Before you contact anyone, write down the glove style, the leather (split, grain, cowhide or goatskin), the lining, the cuff type, the size range, the quantity per size, and any branding or packaging.
Not sure about some of it? That’s fine. A photo of a glove you already sell, or a physical sample, says more than a long description. Just be clear about what matters most to you: price, feel, durability, or looks. A good manufacturer will steer you once they know that.
Step 2: Check the Manufacturer Properly
A nice website proves very little. Here’s what we’d look at, honestly, if we were on your side of the table.
Ask about certifications and keep the answers specific. Is the plant ISO certified? Which products carry a CE mark, and can they send the test report for the exact glove you want? Where does the leather come from? Leather Working Group membership is a good sign that the tannery side is being managed responsibly.
Then check how they communicate. Do they answer the actual question, or send a brochure? Do they ask about your market and your customers? You’ll be working with this team for months, so the way they reply in week one tells you a lot.
Finally, ask for samples before anything else. Real gloves in your hands beat any spec sheet.
Step 3: Ask for a Quote
A useful quote request includes the style or a photo, leather and lining, sizes and quantities, branding, packaging, and the destination country. With that in hand, a manufacturer can give you a real price instead of a rough guess. At Saxum Group we send a quote within 24 hours of getting those details.
Compare quotes on the same spec. A cheaper glove with thinner leather or a missing lining isn’t really cheaper once your customers start returning it.
Step 4: Samples and Approval
Expect two rounds. First, a quick prototype made from stock materials, so you can check the pattern, fit and look without paying for the full spec. Then a final sample in the right quality, colour and pattern. That final sample becomes the reference for your bulk order, so keep it safe and compare against it when the goods arrive.
If you’re unsure which glove suits your buyers, our guides on TIG vs MIG vs Stick welding gloves and welding glove length can help you decide before you approve anything.
Step 5: Order, Payment and Production
Once the sample is approved, you confirm the order: quantities per size, final price, packaging, delivery date and payment terms. Payment terms vary by supplier and by order. A deposit up front with the balance before shipment is common in this trade, and letters of credit are used too, especially for larger orders. Agree it in writing before production starts.
During production, ask for photos or updates at key points, such as cutting, stitching and packing. A decent manufacturer won’t mind. Capacity matters here as well. We can produce up to 100,000 pieces a month across our range, which helps keep delivery dates realistic even on bigger orders.
Step 6: Inspect Before Shipping
Never skip this one. Before the goods leave the factory, someone should check a sample of cartons against the approved sample: leather, stitching, sizes, labels, packaging and carton marks. You can do it yourself, ask the factory for a detailed inspection report with photos, or hire an independent inspection company.
Finding a problem at the factory costs a phone call. Finding it in your own warehouse costs a lot more.
Step 7: Shipping, Incoterms and Customs
The Incoterm you agree decides who pays for what and where the risk passes to you. These are the ones you’ll hear most often:
| Incoterm | What the seller covers | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| EXW (Ex Works) | Goods ready at the factory, nothing more | Buyers with their own freight agent in Pakistan |
| FOB (Free on Board) | Delivery to the port and loading onto the ship | Most importers who book their own sea freight |
| CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) | Sea freight and insurance to your port | First-time buyers who want less to organise |
| DAP / DDP | Delivery to your address (DDP also covers duties) | Buyers who want a door-to-door price |
Most bulk orders go by sea. Samples and urgent top-ups usually go by air or courier.
For customs, leather work gloves normally fall under HS heading 4203.29, which covers gloves of leather other than sports gloves. Duty rates differ a lot from country to country, so check your own tariff before you price your range. Your customs broker will usually want a commercial invoice, a packing list, the bill of lading or air waybill, and often a certificate of origin. If you sell in Europe, keep the test reports for any CE marked gloves on file as well.
Mistakes First-Time Importers Make
We see the same few again and again. Ordering without a final sample. Comparing prices on different specs. Leaving packaging details until the last week. Forgetting to check duty rates until the goods are already on the water. And skipping the pre-shipment check because everything “looked fine” in the photos.
None of these are hard to avoid. They just need to be on a list before you start.
How We Handle Export Orders at Saxum Group
Our process follows the steps above. You send a spec or a photo, we reply with a quote within 24 hours, then make a prototype and a final sample for approval before bulk production. Our plant is ISO certified, we have 20+ CE certified products, our leather comes from Leather Working Group gold members, and our woven fabric comes from OEKO-TEX certified mills.
Buyers usually mix products in one shipment, for example welding gloves with leather welding aprons and sleeves, or rigger gloves alongside the rest of our leather work gloves range. You can read how each stage works on our private label manufacturing services page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HS code for leather work gloves?
Leather work gloves normally come under HS 4203.29, gloves of leather other than sports gloves. Your country may add extra digits, so confirm the full code with your customs broker.
How long does a first order take?
It depends on the style, the quantity and the time needed to approve samples. Ask for a delivery date in the quote, and plan your sample rounds in early so they don’t hold up production.
Can I import gloves under my own brand?
Yes. Private label is normal in Sialkot. Your logo, colours, labels, header cards and cartons can all be made to your spec.
Should I order samples before a bulk order?
Always. Approve a final sample and keep it as the reference for your bulk order. It is the simplest way to make sure what arrives matches what you agreed.
The Bottom Line
Importing work gloves from Sialkot works well when you take it step by step: a clear spec, a properly checked manufacturer, samples, written terms, an inspection before shipping, and the right Incoterm and HS code for your market.
Planning your first order? Send us your spec with the styles, sizes and quantities, and you’ll get a quote within 24 hours. You can also read more about Saxum Group before you get in touch.