Loading...
Harmonized System
U.S. imports of ballpoint pen refills (HS 960860) totaled $650K in July 2026, traded with 14 countries.
Importers of Ballpoint Pen Refills paid $99K in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 16% on $614K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: July 2026 dataBallpoint pen refills — defined as the complete ink reservoir and ball-point tip assembly — are traded as a distinct component category under a single tariff line (9608600000), separate from finished pens or loose parts. Japan is the leading US supplier of these refills, reflecting the precision manufacturing standards required for consistent ink flow and tip tolerances. Importers sourcing from India or Germany should confirm that the refill constitutes the complete ball-point-and-reservoir unit, as incomplete assemblies may be reclassified under the parts subheading 9608.99.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
55 shipments/mo
A refill under 9608.60 must comprise both the ball point tip and the ink reservoir as an integrated unit ready for insertion into a pen body. A cartridge that contains only ink without the ball-point mechanism, or a reservoir sold separately, is more likely to fall under the parts provisions of 9608.99 (specifically 9608992000 for refill cartridges).
Classification is based on the physical characteristics of the article — the complete ball-point-and-reservoir assembly — not on the origin of the ink. However, country of origin does affect duty liability, including any applicable Section 301 tariffs for Chinese-origin goods, so origin documentation must accurately reflect where the refill was manufactured or substantially transformed.
HSChapter 96
Subheading 7 of 8 in heading 9608
Subheading 960860 · $650K of $80.1M
Supplier Network
Get discovered by U.S. importers searching for HS 960860 — Ballpoint Pen Refills. Be the first supplier listed.
ImportsExports
Imports
$650KYoY · Pro
Exports
$237KYoY · 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9608600000 | Refils for Ball Pt Pens,Comrising Ball Pt & Ink Rs | $650K | 15.28% | 94.42% | $99K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 9608600000 | Refils for Ball Pt Pens,Comrising Ball Pt & Ink Rs | $237K |
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
Japan and China together supply 66% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
5.6% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 15.28%.