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SITCSection 8
U.S. imports of writing & drawing ink and other non-printing inks (SITC 89591) totaled $5.5M in April 2026, traded with 34 countries.
Importers of Writing & Drawing Ink and Other Non-Printing Inks paid $641K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 12% on $5.3M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataFormulated for pens, technical drawing instruments, and specialty marking applications, writing and drawing inks are classified separately from printing inks — a distinction that hinges on end-use and delivery mechanism rather than chemical composition alone. The heading covers both liquid and solid or concentrated forms, including India ink, calligraphy ink, and fountain-pen ink. Importers should note that ink formulations containing regulated solvents or pigments may require review under EPA or TSCA frameworks depending on chemical content.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
The key factor is the intended application method: writing and drawing inks are designed for manual instruments such as pens, brushes, or technical drawing tools, while printing inks are formulated for mechanical transfer processes (offset, flexographic, gravure, etc.). A product marketed for both uses may require a binding CBP ruling to confirm the correct heading.
Yes, the heading explicitly covers inks 'whether or not concentrated or solid,' so compressed ink sticks used in calligraphy and pre-filled pen cartridges intended for writing or drawing are included, provided they are not printing inks. The physical state at import does not change the classification.
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPAN | $2.6M | $476K | -$2.1M |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $272K | $2.5M | +$2.2M |
| UNITED KINGDOM | $514K | $1.2M | +$736K |
| MEXICO | $5K | $1.6M | +$1.6M |
| BELGIUM | $45K | $1.4M | +$1.3M |
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Monthly import values over time