Heading · Section XX

9608: Ballpoint pens; felt-tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers; fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens; duplicating stylos; propelling or sliding pencils; pen-holders, pencil-holders and similar holders; parts (including caps and clips) of the foregoing articles, other than those of heading 9609

9608
  • 2%UK
  • 2.7%–3.7%EU
  • 60%–75%Türkiye
  • 0%–6.6%USA
  • US$7bnWorld trade in 2024

8 subheadings make up heading 9608 in chapter 96 (miscellaneous manufactured articles).

In the UK Global Tariff, heading 9608 covers 12 tariff lines and the duty is 2%.

The EU Combined Nomenclature divides heading 9608 into 10 tariff lines; the duty is between 2.7% and 3.7% (average 3.4%).

In the Turkish Customs Tariff Schedule, heading 9608 covers 16 tariff lines and the statutory rate is between 60% and 75%.

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States divides heading 9608 into 12 tariff lines; the duty is between 0% and 6.6% (average 1.8%). 4 of them are duty-free. 6 lines have a specific or compound duty.

World trade in heading 9608 goods reached US$7bn in 2024, up 0.5% on 2023.

China was the largest exporter with 37.7% of the total, ahead of Japan.

The United States imported the most (US$1.1bn).

The United Kingdom ranked 20th among 189 exporters with US$43.1m.

The United Kingdom imported US$247.8m.

Duty rates compared

UK 2% Third-country duty 12 tariff lines EU 2.7% – 3.7% Third-country duty 10 tariff lines · average 3.4% Türkiye 60% – 75% Statutory rate (Law 474) 16 tariff lines · average 74.1% USA Free – 6.6% General (MFN) 12 tariff lines · average 1.8% · 6× specific or compound duty

The Turkish schedule prints the statutory rate set under Customs Law 474. The rate applied at import is laid down in the Import Regime Decision and can be lower, or different by country of origin.

Subheadings 8

World trade in 2024

9608 · US$7bn

Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$116.6kUS$116.6k+US$4.4m+US$58.8m+> US$307.3m

Exports: 189
  1. China: US$2.6bn
  2. Japan: US$907.5m
  3. Germany: US$680.6m
  4. France: US$411.3m
  5. Mexico: US$324.3m
  6. United States: US$307.3m
  7. India: US$247.1m
  8. Italy: US$161.1m
  9. Czechia: US$125.5m
  10. Netherlands: US$96.5m
  11. Poland: US$91.8m
  12. Switzerland: US$89.8m
  13. Malaysia: US$88.4m
  14. Tunisia: US$75.9m
  15. Vietnam: US$66.4m
  16. South Korea: US$64.6m
  17. Spain: US$62.3m
  18. Slovakia: US$58.8m
  19. Taiwan: US$55.3m
  20. United Kingdom: US$43.1m
  21. Thailand: US$38.2m
  22. Hong Kong SAR China: US$25.6m
  23. Austria: US$25.1m
  24. Belgium: US$23.3m
  25. South Africa: US$19.1m
  26. Indonesia: US$18.5m
  27. Türkiye: US$16.5m
  28. Peru: US$16.1m
  29. Ireland: US$15.1m
  30. Kenya: US$14.4m
  31. Hungary: US$13.7m
  32. Singapore: US$13.7m
  33. Sweden: US$13.1m
  34. Denmark: US$11.5m
  35. Slovenia: US$9.9m
  36. Brazil: US$9m
  37. Canada: US$7.6m
  38. Romania: US$7.3m
  39. Russia: US$5.7m
  40. Latvia: US$5.5m
  41. Portugal: US$4.7m
  42. Greece: US$4.6m
  43. Dominican Republic: US$4.4m
  44. New Zealand: US$4.4m
  45. Colombia: US$4m
  46. Chile: US$3m
  47. United Arab Emirates: US$2.9m
  48. Israel: US$2.7m
  49. Estonia: US$2.7m
  50. Australia: US$2.6m
  51. Croatia: US$2.2m
  52. Bulgaria: US$2.2m
  53. Serbia: US$2.1m
  54. Lithuania: US$1.7m
  55. Egypt: US$1.6m
  56. Finland: US$1.5m
  57. Guatemala: US$1.5m
  58. Kazakhstan: US$1.4m
  59. Philippines: US$1.1m
  60. Panama: US$1.1m

Top exporters

RankCountryValueShare
1 China US$2.6bn 37.7%
2 Japan US$907.5m 13.1%
3 Germany US$680.6m 9.8%
4 France US$411.3m 5.9%
5 Mexico US$324.3m 4.7%
6 United States US$307.3m 4.4%
7 India US$247.1m 3.6%
8 Italy US$161.1m 2.3%
9 Czechia US$125.5m 1.8%
10 Netherlands US$96.5m 1.4%

Top importers

RankCountryValueShare
1 United States US$1.1bn 16.5%
2 France US$442.2m 6.4%
3 Germany US$414.1m 6%
4 Mexico US$353.5m 5.1%
5 United Kingdom US$247.8m 3.6%
6 China US$217.2m 3.1%
7 Netherlands US$179.7m 2.6%
8 Spain US$179.1m 2.6%
9 Italy US$172.6m 2.5%
10 Canada US$166.4m 2.4%

Products classified here

Questions and answers

What is the HS code for ballpoint pens; felt-tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers; fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens; duplicating stylos; propelling or sliding pencils; pen-holders, pencil-holders and similar holders; parts (including caps and clips) of the foregoing articles, other than those of heading 9609?

Ballpoint pens; felt-tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers; fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens; duplicating stylos; propelling or sliding pencils; pen-holders, pencil-holders and similar holders; parts (including caps and clips) of the foregoing articles, other than those of heading 9609 fall under HS heading 9608, part of chapter 96, in section XX of the Harmonized System.

What is the import duty on ballpoint pens in the UK?

Under the UK Global Tariff, imports under 9608 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 2%. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.

What is the import duty on ballpoint pens in the EU?

Under the EU Combined Nomenclature, imports under 9608 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 2.7% to 3.7%, depending on the line. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.

Which country exports the most ballpoint pens?

China, with US$2.6bn in 2024 (37.7% of world exports).