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U.S. imports of ballpoint pens (HS 960810) totaled $28.5M in July 2026, traded with 38 countries.
Importers of Ballpoint Pens paid $5.2M in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 22% on $23.5M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Ballpoint Pens imports of $28.5M in July 2026 ran 21% below the year-to-date monthly average of $35.9M.
Last updated: July 2026 dataBallpoint pens — defined by their oil-based ink delivered through a rotating metal ball tip — are classified under a single US tariff line (9608100000) and represent one of the highest-volume writing instrument categories in global trade. China is the dominant supplier by a wide margin, with Japan a significant source of higher-specification and premium product. Importers sourcing from China should account for Section 301 tariff exposure when modeling landed costs. Unit value varies enormously within this heading, from commodity promotional pens to precision-engineered instruments, making accurate valuation documentation important at entry.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
2.6K shipments/mo
The key distinction is ink type and delivery mechanism. A ballpoint pen uses viscous, oil-based ink fed by gravity and capillary action through a tungsten carbide or steel ball. A rollerball pen uses water-based or gel ink with a freer-flowing delivery. Rollerballs are generally classified under the 'other pens' provisions of 9608.30 rather than 9608.10. Importers of combination or hybrid instruments should review the dominant ink and tip characteristics to determine the correct heading.
No — classification under 9608.10 is based on the writing mechanism (oil-based ink, rotating ball tip), not on price point or brand. A luxury branded ballpoint and a commodity promotional pen are classified identically. However, value does affect customs valuation and may trigger additional scrutiny if declared values appear inconsistent with market norms for the product tier.
HSChapter 96
Subheading 2 of 8 in heading 9608
Subheading 960810 · $28.5M of $80.1M
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ImportsExports
Imports
$28.5MYoY · Pro
Exports
$7.5MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9608100000 | Ball Point Pens | $28.5M | 18.13% | 82.53% | $5.2M |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 9608100000 | Ball Point Pens | $7.5M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Imports · July 2026
origin
China and Japan together supply 64% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
18.8% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 18.13%.