U.S. imports of Pencils and Crayons with Encased Leads (HS 960910) totaled $7.8M in August 2026, imported from 32 countries.
Importers of Pencils and Crayons with Encased Leads paid $1.1M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 13.71% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Pencils and Crayons with Encased Leads imports of $7.8M in August 2026 ran 57% below the year-to-date monthly average of $18.2M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataGraphite and colored-core pencils, as well as wax and oil crayons encased in a rigid sheath (wood, paper, or plastic), are consolidated under a single 10-digit line (9609100000). Brazil is the leading US supplier — a position rooted in its large-scale cedar and basswood pencil manufacturing industry — followed by Mexico and India. Importers should note that the 'rigid sheath' requirement distinguishes these articles from loose leads (9609.20) and from pastel sticks or chalk-type crayons without a sheath (9609.90).
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
523 import shipments a month
Customs authorities generally interpret 'rigid sheath' to include wood, plastic, and similar firm casings. A thin paper wrap alone is typically not considered a rigid sheath, which would place a paper-wrapped wax crayon under 9609.90 rather than 9609.10. Importers uncertain about borderline cases should seek a binding ruling from CBP.
Brazil has long been a leading pencil exporter due to its vertically integrated supply chain — combining domestic timber (particularly Pinus and Lyptus species grown in managed plantations), graphite mining, and large-scale pencil manufacturing facilities. This integration gives Brazilian producers a cost and logistics advantage for the US market.
Subheading 1 of 3 in heading 9609
Subheading 960910 · $7.8M of $13.9M
ImportsExports
Imports
$7.8MYoY · free account
Exports
$1.4MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $189.5M of Pencils and Crayons with Encased Leads and exported $23.5M.
Through August 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 | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9609100000 | Pencils & Crayons, With Leads in A Rigid Sheath | $7.9M | 13.71% | 79.44% | $1.1M |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 9609100000 | Pencils & Crayons, With Leads in A Rigid Sheath | $1.4M |
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 · August 2026
origin
China pays 25.4% duty; Mexico 0.1%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
20.8% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 13.71% of imports for consumption.
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