Analysis
HTS 9609.90.80 covers other: other under heading 9609 (pencils (other than those pencils of heading 9608), crayons, pencil leads, pastels…).
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.
The other lines in the same group are 9609.10.00 (pencils and crayons, with leads encased in a sheath, 14¢/gross + 4.3%), 9609.20.20 (not over 1.5 mm in maximum cross-sectional dimension, duty-free), 9609.20.40 (over 1.5 mm in maximum cross-sectional dimension, duty-free) and 9609.90.40 (other: tailors' chalks, 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, the industry a domestic producer of these goods reports under.
All 4 neighbouring lines carry the same duty-free rate, so a borderline choice between them changes the statistics reported, not the duty paid.
The general rate of Free has not changed in any edition of the schedule since Jan 2023.
Neighbouring lines
| Line | Description | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| 9609.10.00 | Pencils and crayons, with leads encased in a sheath | 14¢/gross + 4.3% |
| 9609.20.20 | Not over 1.5 mm in maximum cross-sectional dimension | Free |
| 9609.20.40 | Over 1.5 mm in maximum cross-sectional dimension | Free |
| 9609.90.40 | Other: tailors' chalks | Free |