HTS Code · Chapter 96 · Updated Nov 9, 2026

9608.99.30.00Balls for ball point pens

Also written 9608993000 and 9608.99.3000

HTS Code 9608.99.30.00 covers any article best defined as Miscellaneous Manufactured ArticlesMiscellaneous manufactured articlesBall 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:Other:Other:Balls for ball point pens in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.

As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from China pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 20% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – China (7.5%) and Section 301 – Forced Labor (12.5%).

Estimated Duty on 9608.99.30.00

$10,000.00 by ocean, entered Nov 9, 2026 · 1,000 units

Country of origin

China

Total duty: 25.5%; $2,550.00 on this shipment
Fees: 0.47%; MPF + HMF · $47.14
Duty + fees: 25.97%; Payable to CBP
Landed cost: $12,597.14; On $10,000.00 customs value

Base duty5.5%
Section 301 – China7.5%
Section 301 – Forced Labor12.5%
Customs fees0.47%

Chapter 99 lines9903.88.15 Section 301 China: List 4A9903.05.31 Section 301 Forced Labor – China

3 exemptions could lower this

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Base Duty Rates for 9608.99.30.00

From the Harmonized Tariff Schedule

General Rate of Duty: 20¢/thousand + 3.5%
Special Rate of Duty: Free; AAUBHCLCODEILJOKRMAOMPPAPESSG
Column 2 (Non-NTR): $2.50/thou- sand + 40%
Units of Quantity: thousands

Total duty by countryAll 20 →

China20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 20%
Mexico20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 10%
Canada20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 10%
Vietnam20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 12.5%
Germany20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 4.5%

Top origins · US imports 2025

Top Origins: Countries the US Imports HTS 9608.99.30.00 From

In 2025 the US imported $23K of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00), down 76% on 2024, mostly from Germany (30%), China (26%) and Italy (26%). Each country's total duty today is shown beside its imports.

Country of origin	US imports, 2025	Share	vs 2024	Total duty today
Germany	$7K	30%	22%	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 4.5%
China	$6K	26%	93%	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 20%
Italy	$6K	26%	100%	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 4.5%
Japan	$4K	17%	33%	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, general imports. Duty on a $10,000 ocean shipment entered today, before customs fees. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Tariffs by country · Nov 9, 2026

US Import Duty on HTS 9608.99.30.00 by Country of Origin

Total duty from China

20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 20%

Base rate plus 2 additional tariffs

Countries with additional tariffs

20 of 20

Section 232, 301 and other Chapter 99 duties

Country of origin	Base rate	Additional tariffs	Total duty
China	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – China7.5%9903.88.15 Section 301 – Forced Labor12.5%9903.05.31	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 20%
Mexico	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor10%9903.05.55	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 10%0% with USMCA
Canada	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor10%9903.05.29	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 10%0% with USMCA
Vietnam	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor12.5%9903.05.84	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 12.5%
Germany	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor4.5%9903.05.39	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 4.5%
Japan	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor7%9903.05.49	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 7%
South Korea	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor7%9903.05.71	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 7%
Taiwan	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor4.5%9903.05.76	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 4.5%
India	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor10%9903.05.44	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 10%
Ireland	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor4.5%9903.05.39	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 4.5%
Italy	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor4.5%9903.05.39	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 4.5%
Switzerland	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor7%9903.05.74	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 7%
Thailand	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor12.5%9903.05.77	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 12.5%
Malaysia	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor10%9903.05.54	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 10%
United Kingdom	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor10%9903.05.81	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 10%
France	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor4.5%9903.05.39	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 4.5%
Indonesia	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor10%9903.05.45	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 10%
Brazil	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Brazil25%9903.05.01 Section 301 – Forced Labor12.5%9903.05.27	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 37.5%
Bangladesh	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor10%9903.05.26	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 10%
Cambodia	20¢/thousand + 3.5%	Section 301 – Forced Labor10%9903.05.28	20¢/thousand + 3.5% + 10%

Duty from each country, in words

As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from China pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 20% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – China (7.5%) and Section 301 – Forced Labor (12.5%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Mexico pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 10% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (10%). With USMCA, qualifying goods pay 0%.
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Canada pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 10% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (10%). With USMCA, qualifying goods pay 0%.
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Vietnam pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 12.5% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (12.5%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Germany pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 4.5% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (4.5%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Japan pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 7% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (7%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from South Korea pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 7% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (7%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Taiwan pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 4.5% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (4.5%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from India pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 10% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (10%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Ireland pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 4.5% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (4.5%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Italy pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 4.5% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (4.5%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Switzerland pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 7% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (7%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Thailand pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 12.5% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (12.5%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Malaysia pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 10% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (10%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from United Kingdom pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 10% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (10%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from France pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 4.5% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (4.5%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Indonesia pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 10% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (10%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Brazil pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 37.5% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Brazil (25%) and Section 301 – Forced Labor (12.5%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Bangladesh pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 10% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (10%).
As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Cambodia pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 10% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (10%).

Duties on goods entered Nov 9, 2026 at the general rate (Column 2 where it applies), with tariff data verified through 2026 HTS Revision 20. Totals are before customs fees (MPF, HMF) and any antidumping or countervailing duties (AD/CVD); with a free account, the calculator checks the AD/CVD cases that may cover your import. Some tariffs and exemptions depend on details such as metal content or end use, which the calculator asks about. See US tariffs for every country.

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Legal notes

Relevant HTS Notes

Official USITC notes that may affect classification under HTS 9608.99.30.00.

Section 20 NotesMiscellaneous Manufactured Articles Chapter 96 NotesMiscellaneous manufactured articles

CBP rulings

Search CROSS Rulings for HTS 9608.99.30.00

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Questions

HTS 9608.99.30.00 FAQ

Something else? Ask us.

What does HTS code 9608.99.30.00 cover?

HTS code 9608.99.30.00 covers balls for ball point pens, classified under Chapter 96 (Miscellaneous manufactured articles) in the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The general duty rate is 20¢/thousand + 3.5%.

What is the duty rate for HTS 9608.99.30.00?

The general (Column 1) rate of duty for HTS 9608.99.30.00 is 20¢/thousand + 3.5%. Goods that qualify for a trade program can enter at the special rate: Free (A,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG). The Column 2 rate, for countries without normal trade relations, is $2.50/thou- sand + 40%. Additional Chapter 99 tariffs, such as Section 301 and Section 232, can apply on top depending on the country of origin.

What is the US tariff on balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from China?

What is the US tariff on balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Vietnam?

As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Vietnam pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 12.5% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (12.5%).

What is the US tariff on balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Mexico?

As of Nov 9, 2026, US imports of balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30.00) from Mexico pay the 20¢/thousand + 3.5% base rate plus 10% in additional tariffs: Section 301 – Forced Labor (10%). Goods that qualify for USMCA pay 0%.

Where does the US import HTS 9608.99.30.00 from?

In 2025 the US imported $23K of balls for ball point pens under HTS 9608.99.30.00, mostly from Germany (30%), China (26%) and Italy (26%), according to U.S. Census Bureau import data.

Sources

Primary Sources

The official documents behind the rates and tariffs on this page. Duties are worked out from them as of Revision 20 (2026); check the legal text before you file.