Subheading · Chapter 96 · Heading 9608
9608.10: Ballpoint pens: ballpoint pens
Ballpoint pens
Official description Ballpoint pens
9608.10 is the HS subheading for ballpoint pens, under heading 9608 in chapter 96.
What you pay
Importing into UK
Rates by national line · UK Global Tariff
UK lines →- 9608 10 00 00 Ballpoint pens p/st
- 9608 10 10 00 With liquid ink (rolling ball pens) 2%p/st
- Other p/st
- 9608 10 92 00 With replaceable refill 2%p/st
- 9608 10 99 00 Other 2%p/st
Additional duties and import rules
Charges on top of the customs duty, and rules the goods must meet at the border.
Additional duties and charges 1
- Additional dutyAdditional duties 35%
- Applies to goods from
- Belarus, Russia
- Legal act
- 2022 No. 598
- Documents
- 9014
Import requirements 2
- Import controlRestriction on entry into free circulation
- Applies to goods from
- Ukraine
- Legal act
- S.I. 2022/395
- Documents
- 9009
- 9010
- 9017
- Import controlImport control - CITES
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- 2021 No. 54
Preferential rates by country
| Agreement or scheme | Countries | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| standard rate (no agreement) | — | 2% |
| DCTS Comprehensive | Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin and 38 moreAfghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo - Kinshasa, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia | Free |
| European Union (including code " EU") | Free | |
| DCTS Enhanced | Algeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville and 13 moreAlgeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville, Cook Islands, Kyrgyzstan, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu | Free |
| CARIFORUM | Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize and 10 moreAntigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago | Free |
| OCTs (Overseas Countries and Territories) | Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands and 7 moreAnguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands, St Helena, Turks & Caicos Islands | Free |
| Central America | Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama | Free |
| SADC EPA | Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia | Free |
| Eastern and Southern Africa States | Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe | Free |
| CPTPP | Brunei, Malaysia | Free |
| UK–Andorra agreement | Andorra | Free |
| UK–Albania agreement | Albania | Free |
| UK–Australia agreement | Australia | Free |
| UK–Canada agreement | Canada | Free |
| UK–Switzerland agreement | Switzerland | Free |
| UK–Côte d’Ivoire agreement | Côte d’Ivoire | Free |
| UK–Chile agreement | Chile | Free |
| UK–Cameroon agreement | Cameroon | Free |
| UK–Colombia agreement | Colombia | Free |
| UK–Ceuta & Melilla agreement | Ceuta & Melilla | Free |
| UK–Ecuador agreement | Ecuador | Free |
| UK–Egypt agreement | Egypt | Free |
| UK–Fiji agreement | Fiji | Free |
| UK–Faroe Islands agreement | Faroe Islands | Free |
| UK–Georgia agreement | Georgia | Free |
| UK–Ghana agreement | Ghana | Free |
| DCTS Standard | Indonesia | Free |
| UK–Israel agreement | Israel | Free |
| UK–India agreement | India | Free |
| UK–Iceland agreement | Iceland | Free |
| UK–Jordan agreement | Jordan | Free |
| UK–Japan agreement | Japan | Free |
| UK–Kenya agreement | Kenya | Free |
| UK–South Korea agreement | South Korea | Free |
| UK–Lebanon agreement | Lebanon | Free |
| UK–Liechtenstein agreement | Liechtenstein | Free |
| UK–Morocco agreement | Morocco | Free |
| UK–Moldova agreement | Moldova | Free |
| UK–North Macedonia agreement | North Macedonia | Free |
| UK–Mexico agreement | Mexico | Free |
| UK–Norway agreement | Norway | Free |
| UK–New Zealand agreement | New Zealand | Free |
| UK–Peru agreement | Peru | Free |
| UK–Papua New Guinea agreement | Papua New Guinea | Free |
| UK–Palestinian Territories agreement | Palestinian Territories | Free |
| UK–Serbia agreement | Serbia | Free |
| UK–Solomon Islands agreement | Solomon Islands | Free |
| UK–Singapore agreement | Singapore | Free |
| UK–San Marino agreement | San Marino | Free |
| UK–Tunisia agreement | Tunisia | Free |
| UK–Türkiye agreement | Türkiye | Free |
| UK–Ukraine agreement | Ukraine | Free |
| UK–Vietnam agreement | Vietnam | Free |
| UK–Samoa agreement | Samoa | Free |
| UK–Kosovo agreement | Kosovo | Free |
| UK–South Africa agreement | South Africa | Free |
UK: imports by month
Main suppliers, last 12 months
| Country | Value | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
 China | £41.3m | 54.4% | -7.8% |
 France | £10.2m | 13.5% | -13.2% |
 Japan | £7.6m | 10% | -10.6% |
 Germany | £3.9m | 5.2% | -7.9% |
 Mexico | £2.7m | 3.6% | +13.1% |
 India | £2.4m | 3.1% | -10.5% |
 Italy | £2.2m | 2.9% | +83% |
 Switzerland | £1.5m | 1.9% | +8.3% |
Same subheading in other tariffs
EU 3.7% Third-country duty 3 tariff lines 
Türkiye 3.7% Third-country duty 4 tariff lines 
USA specific or compound duty General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Canada 7% Third-country duty 1 tariff line Mexico 15% Third-country duty 2 tariff lines 
Brazil 16.2% Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
Argentina 18% Third-country duty 17 tariff lines 
Peru 6% Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
New Zealand 5% Third-country duty 1 tariff line Japan Free Third-country duty 2 tariff lines · 1× specific or compound duty 
Taiwan 3.4% Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
GCC 5% Third-country duty 1 tariff line Switzerland Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
Norway Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
North Macedonia 12% Third-country duty 3 tariff lines 
Nigeria 20% Third-country duty 1 tariff line World trade in 2024
Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$73kUS$73k+US$3m+US$15m+> US$165m
Exports: 179
- China: US$1bn
- Japan: US$445m
- France: US$228m
- Germany: US$206m
- India: US$165m
- Mexico: US$141m
- Switzerland: US$73m
- United States: US$73m
- Italy: US$62m
- Tunisia: US$57m
- Poland: US$53m
- Czechia: US$47m
- Spain: US$40m
- Netherlands: US$36m
- Slovakia: US$36m
- South Korea: US$28m
- United Kingdom: US$15m
- Kenya: US$14m
- Taiwan: US$13m
- Türkiye: US$13m
- Indonesia: US$11m
- Belgium: US$10m
- Ireland: US$10m
- Malaysia: US$9m
- South Africa: US$9m
- Hungary: US$8m
- Brazil: US$7m
- Vietnam: US$7m
- Sweden: US$6m
- Peru: US$5m
- Slovenia: US$4m
- Singapore: US$4m
- Romania: US$4m
- New Zealand: US$4m
- Hong Kong SAR China: US$4m
- Thailand: US$4m
- Denmark: US$4m
- Austria: US$4m
- Russia: US$3m
- Latvia: US$3m
- Portugal: US$3m
- Chile: US$2m
- Greece: US$2m
- United Arab Emirates: US$1m
- Serbia: US$1m
- Egypt: US$1m
- Canada: US$992k
- Australia: US$934k
- Estonia: US$932k
- Guatemala: US$891k
- Panama: US$850k
- Croatia: US$812k
- Nigeria: US$653k
- Sri Lanka: US$650k
- Bulgaria: US$616k
- Aruba: US$608k
- Saudi Arabia: US$606k
- Israel: US$524k
- Lithuania: US$504k
- Finland: US$480k
Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$2mUS$2m+US$8m+US$38m+> US$93m
Imports: 219
- United States: US$501m
- France: US$193m
- Germany: US$175m
- Mexico: US$124m
- United Kingdom: US$112m
- China: US$96m
- Slovakia: US$93m
- Italy: US$91m
- Spain: US$87m
- Canada: US$80m
- Poland: US$77m
- Netherlands: US$75m
- Russia: US$61m
- South Korea: US$56m
- United Arab Emirates: US$51m
- Czechia: US$50m
- Vietnam: US$47m
- Philippines: US$45m
- Austria: US$41m
- Australia: US$40m
- Japan: US$38m
- Switzerland: US$38m
- Saudi Arabia: US$38m
- Indonesia: US$35m
- India: US$35m
- Belgium: US$32m
- Hong Kong SAR China: US$31m
- Brazil: US$28m
- Thailand: US$27m
- Taiwan: US$24m
- Romania: US$22m
- Singapore: US$21m
- Colombia: US$19m
- Chile: US$18m
- Greece: US$17m
- Sweden: US$17m
- Türkiye: US$15m
- Peru: US$15m
- Denmark: US$15m
- Kyrgyzstan: US$15m
- Malaysia: US$14m
- Israel: US$14m
- Hungary: US$14m
- Iraq: US$14m
- Ireland: US$14m
- South Africa: US$13m
- Algeria: US$13m
- Portugal: US$13m
- Morocco: US$11m
- Kazakhstan: US$11m
- Guatemala: US$11m
- Finland: US$10m
- Argentina: US$9m
- Ukraine: US$8m
- Qatar: US$8m
- New Zealand: US$8m
- Tajikistan: US$8m
- Uganda: US$8m
- Kuwait: US$8m
- Ecuador: US$8m
Top exporters
| Rank | Country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | US$1bn | 38.2% |
| 2 | Japan | US$445m | 14.5% |
| 3 | France | US$228m | 7.4% |
| 4 | Germany | US$206m | 6.7% |
| 5 | India | US$165m | 5.4% |
| 6 | Mexico | US$141m | 4.6% |
| 7 | Switzerland | US$73m | 2.4% |
| 8 | United States | US$73m | 2.4% |
| 9 | Italy | US$62m | 2% |
| 10 |  Tunisia | US$57m | 1.9% |
Top importers
| Rank | Country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | US$501m | 16.4% |
| 2 | France | US$193m | 6.3% |
| 3 | Germany | US$175m | 5.7% |
| 4 | Mexico | US$124m | 4% |
| 5 | United Kingdom | US$112m | 3.6% |
| 6 | China | US$96m | 3.1% |
| 7 |  Slovakia | US$93m | 3% |
| 8 | Italy | US$91m | 3% |
| 9 |  Spain | US$87m | 2.9% |
| 10 | Canada | US$80m | 2.6% |
Import duty on this product around the world 164
The most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty each country applies to goods of this HS subheading: the average over its national tariff lines, with the lowest and highest line where they differ. Goods from countries with a trade agreement often pay less.
- 12%median duty
- 24number of duty-free countries (MFN)
- 60%highest: Uganda, Egypt, Burundi
164
| Importing country | MFN duty | lines from – to | data year |
|---|---|---|---|
 Afghanistan | 2.5% | 2018 · HS 2012 | |
 Albania | 15% | 2023 | |
 Algeria | 30% | 2023 | |
 Angola | 2% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Anguilla | 15% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Antigua & Barbuda | 20% | 2021 · HS 2007 | |
| Argentina | 18% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Armenia | 8% | 2023 | |
 Aruba | 12% | 2021 · HS 2012 | |
 Australia | 5% | 2023 | |
 Azerbaijan | 15% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Bahamas | 0% | 2022 | |
 Bahrain | 5% | 2023 | |
 Bangladesh | 25% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Barbados | 20% | 2022 · HS 2017 | |
 Belarus | 8% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Belize | 20% | 2023 | |
 Benin | 20% | 2023 | |
 Bermuda | 25% | 2023 | |
 Bhutan | 0% | 2022 | |
 Bolivia | 10% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Bosnia & Herzegovina | 10% | 2022 | |
 Botswana | 15% | 2023 | |
| Brazil | 18% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Brunei | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Burkina Faso | 20% | 2023 | |
 Burundi | 35% | 2023 | |
 Cambodia | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Cameroon | 30% | 2023 | |
| Canada | 7% | 2023 | |
 Cape Verde | 5% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Cayman Islands | 22% | 2021 · HS 2002 | |
 Central African Republic | 30% | 2023 | |
 Chad | 30% | 2023 | |
 Chile | 6% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
| China | 8% | 2023 | |
 Colombia | 15% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Comoros | 20% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Congo - Brazzaville | 30% | 2023 | |
 Cook Islands | 0% | 2022 · HS 2017 | |
 Costa Rica | 14% | 2023 | |
 Côte d’Ivoire | 20% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Cuba | 15% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Dominica | 20% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Dominican Republic | 20% | 2023 | |
 Ecuador | 30% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Egypt | 43% | 40% – 50% | 2019 · HS 2017 |
 El Salvador | 15% | 2022 | |
 Equatorial Guinea | 30% | 2023 | |
 Eswatini | 15% | 2023 | |
 Ethiopia | 30% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
| European Union (27 countries) | 3.7% | 2023 | |
 Fiji | 5% | 2023 | |
 Gabon | 30% | 2023 | |
 Gambia | 20% | 2023 | |
 Georgia | 0% | 2022 · HS 2017 | |
 Ghana | 20% | 2023 | |
 Gibraltar | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Grenada | 20% | 2023 · HS 2012 | |
 Guatemala | 15% | 2023 | |
 Guinea | 20% | 2023 | |
 Guinea-Bissau | 20% | 2023 | |
 Guyana | 20% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Haiti | 7.5% | 0% – 15% | 2020 · HS 2017 |
 Honduras | 15% | 2023 | |
 Hong Kong SAR China | 0% | 2023 | |
 Iceland | 0% | 2023 | |
| India | 10% | 2023 | |
 Indonesia | 15% | 10% – 20% | 2023 |
 Iran | 32% | 2020 · HS 2017 | |
 Israel | 0% | 2022 · HS 2017 | |
 Jamaica | 20% | 2023 | |
| Japan | 0% | 2023 | |
 Jordan | 5% | 2023 | |
 Kazakhstan | 8% | 2023 | |
 Kenya | 35% | 2023 | |
 Kiribati | 10% | 2023 · HS 2002 | |
 Kuwait | 5% | 2023 | |
 Kyrgyzstan | 8% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Laos | 5% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Lebanon | 5% | 2020 · HS 2017 | |
 Lesotho | 15% | 2023 | |
 Liberia | 20% | 2023 | |
 Libya | 0% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Liechtenstein | 10%* | 4.4% – 17% | 2021 · HS 2017 |
 Macao SAR China | 0% | 2023 | |
 Madagascar | 10% | 2023 | |
 Malawi | 25% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Malaysia | 13% | 0% – 25% | 2023 |
 Maldives | 0% | 2023 | |
 Mali | 20% | 2023 | |
 Mauritania | 20% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Mauritius | 0% | 2023 | |
| Mexico | 15% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Micronesia | 4% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Moldova | 10% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Mongolia | 5% | 2023 | |
 Montserrat | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Morocco | 21% | 2.5% – 40% | 2023 |
 Mozambique | 20% | 2023 | |
 Myanmar (Burma) | 3% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Namibia | 15% | 2023 | |
 Nauru | 10% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Nepal | 15% | 2023 | |
| New Zealand | 5% | 2023 | |
 Nicaragua | 7.5% | 0% – 15% | 2023 |
 Niger | 20% | 2023 | |
| Nigeria | 20% | 2023 | |
| North Macedonia | 12% | 2023 | |
| Norway | 0% | 2023 | |
 Oman | 5% | 2023 | |
 Pakistan | 20% | 2023 | |
 Palau | 3% | 2023 · HS 2012 | |
 Palestinian Territories | 0% | 2017 · HS 2017 | |
 Panama | 10% | 2023 | |
 Papua New Guinea | 0% | 2023 | |
 Paraguay | 8% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
| Peru | 6% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Philippines | 7% | 2023 | |
 Qatar | 5% | 2023 | |
 Russia | 8% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Rwanda | 35% | 2023 | |
 Samoa | 20% | 2020 · HS 2017 | |
 São Tomé & Príncipe | 5% | 2019 · HS 2017 | |
 Saudi Arabia | 5% | 2023 | |
 Senegal | 20% | 2023 | |
 Seychelles | 0% | 2023 | |
 Sierra Leone | 20% | 2023 | |
 Singapore | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Solomon Islands | 10% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Somalia | 25% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 South Africa | 15% | 2023 | |
 South Korea | 8% | 2023 | |
 Sri Lanka | 20% | 2023 | |
 St Kitts & Nevis | 20% | 2023 | |
 St Lucia | 20% | 2023 · HS 2012 | |
 St Pierre & Miquelon | 8% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 St Vincent & the Grenadines | 20% | 2023 | |
 Sudan | 10% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Suriname | 20% | 2023 · HS 2007 | |
| Switzerland | 9.2%* | 3.9% – 14% | 2023 |
 Syria | 10% | 2020 · HS 2012 | |
 Tajikistan | 15% | 2021 · HS 2012 | |
 Tanzania | 35% | 2023 | |
 Thailand | 5% | 2023 | |
 Togo | 20% | 2023 | |
 Tonga | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Trinidad & Tobago | 20% | 2023 · HS 2012 | |
| Türkiye | 27% | 2023 | |
 Tuvalu | 0% | 2017 · HS 2017 | |
 Uganda | 60% | 2023 | |
 Ukraine | 10% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 United Arab Emirates | 5% | 2023 | |
| United Kingdom | 2% | 2023 | |
| United States | 8.8%* | 2023 | |
 Uruguay | 18% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Uzbekistan | 10% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Vanuatu | 0% | 2023 | |
 Venezuela | 18% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Vietnam | 25% | 2023 | |
 Wallis & Futuna | 6% | 2021 · HS 2012 | |
 Yemen | 5% | 2017 · HS 2017 | |
 Zambia | 15% | 2023 | |
 Zimbabwe | 0.2% | 2023 |
Tariff data years 2017–2023; rates may have changed since. * ad valorem equivalent of specific duties (UNCTAD estimate) · UNCTAD TRAINS, accessed via WITS (World Bank)
Classifications and correspondences
Where this HS subheading sits in the United Nations' statistical classifications, and which codes it had in earlier editions of the Harmonized System.
- SITC Rev. 4
- 89521 Ball-point pens; felt-tipped/other porous-tipped pens & markers; fountain-pens, stylograph pens & other pens; duplicating stylos; propelling/sliding pencils; penholders, pencil-holders & similar holders; parts (including caps & clips) of the
- End use (BEC Rev. 5)
- Consumption goods · BEC 713202
- CPC 2.1 product
- 38911 Pens, duplicating stylos, pencils, pen-holders, pencil-holders and similar holders, and parts thereof; crayons, pencil leads, pastels, drawing charcoals and chalks
- ISIC Rev. 4 activity
- 3290 Other manufacturing n.e.c.
Earlier HS editions
| HS | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 9608.10 | unchanged |
| 2012 | 9608.10 | unchanged |
| 2007 | 9608.10 | unchanged |
| 2002 | 9608.10 | unchanged |
| 1996 | 9608.10 | unchanged |
| 1992 | 9608.10 | unchanged |
Correspondence tables of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)
Binding rulings for similar goods 24
Decisions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CROSS) and HMRC (Advance Tariff Rulings) on goods classified here. A ruling binds only its holder, but shows how the authorities classify similar goods. The descriptions are the authorities’ own, in English.
- N364145 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of a ballpoint pen from China
- N350094 U.S. CBP
The classification of a direct mail package with a multifunctional pen from China
- N347310 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of a ceramic-handled cup, a ballpoint pen, and a miniature plastic ball from China
- N343070 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of gel pens from China
- H337372 U.S. CBP
Request for Further Review of Protest No. 3002-22-104032; Tariff classification of various miniature backpacks, miniature novelty items, and miniature utility items from China.
- N331296 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of a calendar, memo pads, and pen from China
- 600013902 HMRC
Neon pens. A set of 6 assorted neon coloured gel pens. The pens are used for handwriting or colouring by adults or children at school, home or whilst working. The pens consist of a hollow clear plastic shaft with a tube of coloured neon gel ink inside. The ink is dispersed onto paper whilst…
- 600013903 HMRC
Gel pens. A set of 6 assorted coloured gel pens. The pens are used for handwriting or colouring by adults or children at school, home or whilst working. The pens are a hollow clear plastic shaft with a tube of coloured gel ink. The ink is dispersed onto paper whilst writing by a copper rolling…
- 600013904 HMRC
Ballpoint pens. 10 pens in a pack. The body of the pen is made from moulded plastic casing with a colour removable top, denoting the colour of the ink within the pen. The pen has a roller ball at the tip to distribute the ink evenly whilst writing. Three colours in the pack. 3 blue, 3 red, 4 black…
24 rulings in total for this code
Recent rule changes mentioning this code
Acts whose text cites this code or its heading. Check the act itself: a code can be cited for reasons other than a change of its duty.
- Anti-dumping
İthalatta Haksız Rekabetin Önlenmesine İlişkin Tebliğ (No: 2026/26)
RG 04.07.2026 sayı 33300 · Tebliğ 2026/26 · Source: resmigazete.gov.tr
- Anti-dumping
İthalatta Haksız Rekabetin Önlenmesine İlişkin Tebliğ (No: 2026/4)
RG 06.02.2026 sayı 33160 · Tebliğ 2026/4 · Source: resmigazete.gov.tr
The UK Global Tariff divides subheading 9608.10 into 3 tariff lines; the duty is 2%.
In the EU Combined Nomenclature, subheading 9608.10 covers 3 tariff lines and the duty is 3.7%.
174 countries pay no duty in the UK thanks to trade agreements and preference schemes such as DCTS Comprehensive and European Union, against a standard rate of 2%.
In the UK, additional duty of 35% applies on top of the customs duty to goods from Belarus and Russia.
Imports of ballpoint pens into the UK came to £76m between September 2025 and August 2026 (down 6% on the year before); China supplied 54%, followed by France.
In 2024, countries exported ballpoint pens worth US$3bn (−0.3% year on year).
The largest exporter was China (US$1bn), followed by Japan.
Products classified here
Questions and answers
What is the HS code for ballpoint pens: ballpoint pens?
Ballpoint pens: ballpoint pens fall under HS subheading 9608.10, part of heading 9608, in section XX of the Harmonized System.
What is the import duty on ballpoint pens: ballpoint pens in the UK?
Under the UK Global Tariff, imports under 9608.10 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: ballpoint pens in the EU?
Under the EU Combined Nomenclature, imports under 9608.10 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 3.7%. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.
Which country exports the most ballpoint pens: ballpoint pens?
China, with US$1bn in 2024 (38.2% of world exports).
Which countries can export ballpoint pens to the UK duty-free?
174 countries pay no duty under a trade agreement or preference scheme, among them partners under DCTS Comprehensive, European Union, DCTS Enhanced. The goods must meet the agreement’s rules of origin and the importer needs proof of origin; otherwise the standard rate of 2% applies. Pick a country above to see its rate.
Is there anti-dumping duty on ballpoint pens?
The UK charges additional duty of 35% on goods from Belarus and Russia. Lower rates apply to the named exporters listed in the measure.
Where does the UK import ballpoint pens from?
In the 12 months to August 2026, the largest suppliers were China (54%), France (14%) and Japan (10%), out of total imports of £76m.
Typical products
Everyday names, not part of the legal text.