Analysis
HTS 9608.91.00 covers pen nibs and nib points under heading 9608 (ball point pens; felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers; fountain pens…).
Rates on the nearby lines range from duty-free to 6.6%. The costliest confusion would be with 9608.40.40 (with a mechanical action for extending, or for extending and…) at 6.6%, a difference of 6.6 points on the customs value.
There is no general-rate duty on this line, which puts it with roughly 25% of the 104 tariff lines in chapter 96 that are also free. Free here means free of the base duty only: origin-specific Chapter 99 duties such as Section 301 can still be owed.
Census statistics map these goods to NAICS 339940 (Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing), an industry of 368 US establishments employing 9,961 people, the industry a domestic producer of these goods reports under.
The general rate of Free has not changed in any edition of the schedule since Jan 2023.
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% |
| 9608.30.00 | 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% |
| 9608.99.20 | 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 |