Analysis
HTS 9608.99.60 covers other: other under heading 9608 (ball point pens; felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers; fountain pens…).
Goods from countries without normal trade relations pay the column 2 rate of 45% instead of nothing, so origin decides between free entry and a 45% duty.
Goods classified here enter the United States duty-free at the general (normal trade relations) rate, as do about 25% of the 104 tariff lines in chapter 96. Free here means free of the base duty only: origin-specific Chapter 99 duties such as Section 301 can still be owed.
The other lines in the same group are 9608.99.20 (other: refill cartridges, 0.4¢ each + 2.7%), 9608.99.30 (balls for ball point pens, 20¢/thousand + 3.5%) and 9608.99.40 (parts of articles provided for in subheadings 9608.10 and…, duty-free).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 9608.99.20 | 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 |