U.S. imports of Ballpoint Pen Refills (HS 960860) totaled $686K in August 2026, imported from 14 countries.
Importers of Ballpoint Pen Refills paid $106K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 15.48% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 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 import shipments a month
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.
Subheading 7 of 8 in heading 9608
Subheading 960860 · $686K of $80.6M
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 960860 — Ballpoint Pen Refills, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9608600000 | Refils for Ball Pt Pens, Comrising Ball Pt & Ink Rs | $686K | 15.48% | 96.27% | $106K |
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 | $427K |
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.
ImportsExports
Imports
$686KYoY · free account
Exports
$427KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $8.1M of Ballpoint Pen Refills and exported $3.9M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Japan and India together supply 62% of it. India pays 32.0% duty; Germany 6.4%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
3.7% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 15.48% of imports for consumption.