A pencil with a fixed, encased graphite or colored lead — whether wood-cased or paper-wrapped — belongs under 9609. A mechanical pencil advances its lead through a propelling or sliding mechanism and is classified in the heading covering mechanical pencils. The presence or absence of a feed mechanism is the decisive factor.

Colored pencils with encased leads are classified under 960910 regardless of whether they are sold individually or in artist sets. Sets that mix colored pencils with pastels or other media may require splitting the shipment by component type, since pastels fall under 960990 and the pencils under 960910.