What do PureShield Advanced Nitrile Gloves cost?

A procurement reality check on unit pricing, tariff exposure, and bulk economics in 2026.

Healthcare facilities, dental practices, and clinical labs buying PureShield Advanced Nitrile Gloves should expect to pay $0.10–$0.18 per glove at retail in 2026 , translating to approximately $10–$18 per box of 100 gloves depending on quantity, supplier, and product tier. A case of 10 boxes (1,000 gloves) typically ranges from $100–$160 at retail, or $0.10–$0.16 per unit wholesale. Prices have climbed sharply since 2019—when gloves cost $0.04–$0.08 per unit —driven by tariff escalations and demand pressure. This article compiles publicly available pricing from retailers, distributors, and manufacturer data. MedSource will update pricing as institutional quote data accumulates.

What the typical range is

Retail pricing for PureShield and comparable medical-grade nitrile exam gloves:

• Single box (100 gloves): $11–$18
• Case (10 boxes, 1,000 gloves): $104–$160
• Per-unit cost (bulk cases): $0.10–$0.16

A 1,000-glove case of PureShield in XS was listed at $104.99 from a specialty supplier ; this reflects post-tariff 2026 pricing. Retail bundles on general marketplaces run higher. For context, a standard box of 100 nitrile gloves costs $11–$18 at retail , and that figure aligns with medical-grade products. Industrial-grade PureShield variants (non-medical use) are modestly cheaper but sacrifice ASTM D6319 compliance and FDA clearance.

What pushes price up — features, certifications, support tier

Medical-grade certification: PureShield gloves marketed as exam-grade nitrile products meeting USDA and FFDCA standards for food contact , and by extension ASTM D6319 for medical use, command 15–25% premiums over industrial equivalents. ASTM D6319 covers requirements for nitrile rubber gloves used in medical examinations and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures ; this standard mandates powder-free formulation, sterility testing, and puncture-resistance minimums.

Thickness (mil specification): PureShield offers variants from 4.5 mil finger thickness (3.5 mil palm) up to heavier grades. Thicker formulations (5–6 mil) cost 5–10% more per glove but reduce perforation risk during extended contact with sharp instruments or chemical exposure.

Powder-free formula: The FDA banned powdered exam gloves in 2017 because they present a significant risk to healthcare workers and patients . All medical-grade PureShield are powder-free; this is now a compliance floor, not a premium feature.

Specialty testing (chemotherapy compatibility): Gloves rated for ASTM D6978-05 (chemotherapy drug permeation resistance) and accelerator-free formulation cost 10–15% more. If your facility handles cytotoxic drugs, verify your PureShield SKU is chemo-tested; standard exam gloves do not guarantee adequate permeation resistance.

Packaging format: Standard PureShield exam packs contain 100 gloves per box, 10 boxes per case . Bulk refill cases (5,000 or 10,000 gloves) reduce per-unit cost by 10–20% vs. retail cases. Specialty packaging (individually wrapped, sterile) adds 20–40%.

Color and marking: Standard light blue and dark blue incur no premium. Specialty colors (black, purple, nitrile blends) for color-coding protocols add 5–8%.

What pushes price down — refurbished, older generation, lease, GPO contracts

Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) rates: As tariff rates jumped to 50% in 2025 and now 100% as of 2026, healthcare providers including dentists are seeing notable increases in operating costs . GPO contracts (HPFY, Medline, Premier) negotiate volume discounts that can be 8–18% below retail if your facility qualifies. Request a formal quote; list prices do not reflect GPO leverage.

Non-medical industrial variants: Industrial-grade PureShield nitrile gloves are ideal for medium duty, non-medical related applications only and cost 15–25% less per unit. However, these lack FDA 510(k) clearance and do not meet ASTM D6319. Do not use for patient care or diagnostics.

Older inventory clearance: Liquidation suppliers occasionally offer PureShield overstock at 10–20% discounts. Verify shelf-life compliance— gloves have a 5-year shelf life with a 3-year recommended storage window . Avoid "pre-tariff stock" claims; the tariff applies at time of import, not manufacture date, so even new-old-stock from China in 2024 receives the full 100% tariff upon 2026 entry .

Multi-facility purchasing pools: Buying across affiliated clinics or a hospital network can unlock 5–12% volume discounts when aggregating 10,000+ units per order.

Leasing models: Not applicable to consumable gloves; lease programs are used for durable equipment only.

Hidden costs — install, training, calibration, consumables, service contracts

Nitrile gloves are direct consumables with minimal ancillary costs, but procurement teams must account for:

Inventory carrying costs: At $0.10–$0.18 per glove in 2026 , a 90-day supply for a 5-provider clinic using 20 gloves/provider/day (~3,000 gloves/90 days) costs $300–$540. Factor storage conditions (cool, dry, away from direct sunlight) and shrinkage/waste (typically 2–5% due to defects and donning errors).

Expiration waste: If a facility overbuys and stock expires before use, it becomes a sunk cost. Monitor usage rates quarterly and adjust order size accordingly.

Dispensing hardware (optional): Wall-mounted glove dispensers are inexpensive ($15–$40/unit) but useful for compliance and waste reduction. Not a supplier-dependent cost unless bundled in GPO agreements.

Freight and hazmat fees: Nitrile gloves are not hazardous, but bulk orders (50+ cases) may incur shipping surcharges if ordered via standard parcel carriers. Most distributors include freight on orders >$500.

Training on proper donning/doffing: Not specific to PureShield but essential for infection control. CDC and OSHA guidance is free; no brand-specific training is necessary.

How to negotiate — concrete tactics

1. Request current GSA and GPO pricing sheets: If your facility is federal, state, or a qualifying hospital system, GPO contracts often include pre-negotiated nitrile glove rates. Call your group purchasing director.

2. Solicit formal bids from at least three suppliers: Include Medline, Henry Schein, Staples/Quill, and at least one niche glove distributor. Request pricing at 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 unit volumes; suppliers often grant step discounts at 5K and 10K thresholds.

3. Lock in 6-month pricing: Given the tariff increase from 7.5% to 50% in January 2025 and then to 100% by January 2026, and since China is a dominant global glove supplier, these tariffs will dramatically increase the cost of importing gloves . Negotiate a 6-month fixed-price agreement to avoid mid-contract rate escalations.

4. Specify thickness and test credentials: Do not accept "equivalent nitrile exam gloves" unless your SOPs explicitly allow substitution. PureShield's 5 mil variant is widely available; confirm SKU and lot traceability before signing.

5. Inquire about next-generation sourcing: Manufacturers are shifting focus to alternative production hubs such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, but transitioning manufacturing operations is a lengthy and complex process . Some suppliers may offer early-access pricing on non-China gloves; these can reduce tariff risk in 2027.

6. Benchmark against competitors' actual usage: A family medicine clinic using 500 gloves/week needs a different negotiating position than a 200-bed hospital using 20,000/week. Volume transparency strengthens your bid.

When the price feels off — red flags

• Price below $0.08 per glove (bulk): If a distributor quotes under $0.08/unit in 2026, verify the gloves are not expired, counterfeit, or industrial-grade mislabeled as medical-grade. Real medical-grade nitrile has structural costs; unsustainably low prices signal corner-cutting.

• No ASTM D6319 or FDA 510(k) reference: PureShield medical variants must cite compliance with ASTM D6319-19 (current revision) and FDA 21 CFR Part 177-2600 (food contact) or equivalent medical-device clearance. Absence of certification paperwork is a disqualification.

• "Pre-tariff inventory" claims: The tariff applies at time of import, not manufacture date, and even new-old-stock sitting in a Chinese warehouse since 2024 gets the full 100% tariff when it enters the U.S. in 2026; do not let anyone sell you "pre-tariff inventory" as a loophole .

• Bulk pricing with no volume commitment: Distributors quoting per-unit rates without a minimum order size are likely front-running demand; confirm a purchase order (PO) in writing.

• No shelf-life or lot traceability: Glove manufacturers print lot codes for traceability in case of recalls. If a supplier cannot trace your shipment to a specific manufacturing run, do not accept it.

Sources

Angelina Nail Supply NYC retail listing (accessed May 2026)

MEDLEE Canada retail pricing, PureShield Powder Free Nitrile Medical Gloves (accessed May 2026)

Innovative Bioscience, "Lab Nitrile Gloves 2026: Tariff-Smart Selection" (March 13, 2026)

Eagle Protect and Surgimac tariff impact analysis, Section 301 tariff modifications, 2025–2026

GloveSaver.com, "2026 Nitrile Glove Tariffs: 100% Duties Impact on PPE Prices" (March 19, 2026)

ASTM International, D6319-19: Standard Specification for Nitrile Examination Gloves for Medical Application (2023)

U.S. CDC / CDC PPE-Info: ASTM D6319 Standard Details (accessed May 2026)

Edsstore.com, PureShield™ General Purpose and Medical Exam Glove product specifications (accessed May 2026)

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Status note: This article reflects retail and wholesale pricing observable in May 2026. MedSource does not yet have proprietary aggregate quote data for PureShield Advanced Nitrile Gloves across hospital procurement networks; we will publish updated institutional pricing ($USD per case, volume tiers, GPO discounts) as verified RFQ responses accrue.