Analysis
HTS 9608.30.00 covers fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens under heading 9608 (ball point pens; felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers; fountain pens…). US Customs collects import statistics for it under 2 ten-digit suffixes, reported in number of items.
The general rate is 0.4¢ each + 2.7%, 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 0.4¢ each + 2.7%. 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.
For statistics it divides in two: 9608.30.00.31 for india ink drawing pens and 9608.30.00.39 for other. Both pay the same duty; the suffix records which kind was imported.
Statistical suffixes
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0.8¢ each + 5.4% |
| 9608.20.00 | Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers | 4% |
| 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 |