SITCSection 8
U.S. imports of pen nibs & nib points (SITC 89522) totaled $1.9M in April 2026, traded with 10 countries.
Importers of Pen Nibs & Nib Points paid $191K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 10% on $1.9M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Pen Nibs & Nib Points imports of $1.9M in April 2026 ran 29% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.5M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataPen nibs and nib points — the precision-engineered writing tips fitted to fountain pens and dip pens — are a specialized component category where material grade and manufacturing tolerance are the primary commercial differentiators. High-end nibs are typically made from gold alloys (14k or 18k) tipped with iridium or ruthenium, while entry-level nibs use stainless steel; these material distinctions affect both customs value and, potentially, classification at the HTS subheading level. The nib manufacturing industry is concentrated in a small number of countries, with Germany and Japan recognized for premium craftsmanship, making this a category where supplier origin is closely tied to product specification.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Gold-alloy nibs are classified as pen nibs rather than as precious-metal articles, so they are not subject to the admissibility controls that apply to bullion or jewelry. However, their precious-metal content must be accurately described on the commercial invoice, and customs value must reflect the full transaction value including the gold content. Importers should ensure the karat or alloy specification is documented to support both classification and valuation.
Importers assembling finished pens domestically from imported nibs may be eligible for bonded warehouse entry or Foreign Trade Zone processing to defer or reduce duty liability on the component until it enters US commerce as a finished article. The applicability of these procedures depends on the specific HTS classifications of both the nib and the finished pen, and a licensed customs broker can advise on the most cost-effective entry strategy.
Monthly import values over time
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