HTS tariff line · chapter 96
9608.10.00
Ball point pens; felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers; fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens; duplicating styli; propelling or sliding pencils (for example, mechanical pencils); pen-holders, pencil-holders and similar holders; parts (including caps and clips) of the foregoing articles, other than those of heading 9609: ball point pens
Analysis
HTS 9608.10.00 covers ball point pens; felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers; fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens; duplicating styli; propelling or sliding… under heading 9608 (ball point pens; felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers; fountain pens…).
The general rate is 0.8¢ each + 5.4%, a specific or compound duty rather than a simple percentage, so the effective burden depends on the unit value of the goods: cheap goods pay proportionally more than expensive ones. Importers usually convert it to an ad valorem equivalent to compare it with other lines.
Goods that qualify under GSP, the Australia FTA, the Bahrain FTA, the Chile FTA, the Colombia TPA, and 12 others can enter duty-free instead of paying 0.8¢ each + 5.4%. It is also eligible under GSP, the developing-country programme, which Congress has to renew; check whether GSP is in force on the entry date.
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 339940 (Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing), an industry of 368 US establishments employing 9,961 people. That is the industry code a US manufacturer of the same product would normally use.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 9608.20.00 | Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers | 4% |
| 9608.30.00 | Fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens | 0.4¢ each + 2.7% |
| 9608.40.40 | With a mechanical action for extending, or for extending and retracting, the lead | 6.6% |
| 9608.40.80 | Propelling or sliding pencils (for example, mechanical pencils): other | Free |
| 9608.50.00 | Sets of articles from two or more of the subheadings 9608.10, 9608.20, 9608.30 or 9608.40 | The rate applicable to each article in the absence of this subheading |
| 9608.60.00 | Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir | 0.4¢ each + 2.7% |
| 9608.91.00 | Pen nibs and nib points | Free |
| 9608.99.20 | Other: refill cartridges | 0.4¢ each + 2.7% |
| 9608.99.30 | Balls for ball point pens | 20¢/thousand + 3.5% |
| 9608.99.40 | Parts of articles provided for in subheadings 9608.10 and 9608.30 (other than balls for ball point pens) | Free |
| 9608.99.60 | Other: other | Free |