Ball-Point Pens Tariff Calculator HS 9608.10.00
Ball-Point Pens fall under HS code 9608.10.00 when imported into the US. The subheading covers ball-point pens — the canonical code for ecommerce-sold pens of every cap and barrel design. Common products in this code include retractable ball-point pens, bulk ball-point pen packs, branded promotional pens, multi-color ball-point pens, refillable barrel ball-points. China-origin imports face Section 301 List 4A surcharges; Vietnam and Mexico are typically exempt.
Live duty rate is verifying
Specific (per-unit) duty rate — not expressible as a percentage. The page will refresh automatically on your next visit. In the meantime, the Section 301 and Section 122 rate badges above are authoritative.
What's in the Ball-Point Pens tariff stack?
MFN Duty (Base Rate)
0.8¢ each + 5.4%The standard Most Favored Nation rate from the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Applies to imports from every WTO member country, regardless of origin.
Section 301 (China surcharge)
7.5%HS 9608.10.00 is on Section 301 List 4A. China-origin goods owe this rate ON TOP of the MFN duty. Goods from Vietnam, Mexico, India, etc. are exempt.
Section 122 (10% global surcharge)
10%A flat 10% surcharge applies to all imports regardless of origin under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Statutory 150-day cap means this expires 2026-07-20 unless Congress renews.
MPF + HMF (customs fees)
0.3464% / 0.125%Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464% ad valorem, capped at $651.50 in FY2026) covers CBP entry processing. Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%) applies only to ocean shipments via formal entry.
Frequently asked questions
What's the duty rate for ball-point pens from China?
China-origin ball-point pens face an MFN base rate plus Section 301 at 7.5% and the Section 122 10% global surcharge. The live MFN rate for HS 9608.10.00 is currently being verified — refresh in 5 minutes.
Is HS code 9608.10.00 subject to Section 301 tariffs?
Yes. HS 9608.10.00 falls under Section 301 List 4A, which adds 7.5% on top of the MFN duty for goods of Chinese origin. Section 301 does not apply to imports from other countries — Vietnam, Mexico, and India are exempt.
What's the difference between HS 9608.10.00 and HS 9603.21.00?
HS 9608.10.00 covers ball-point pens, while HS 9603.21.00 covers toothbrushes. The two sit close in the tariff schedule but capture different products. If your shipment could be classified under either, work with a licensed customs broker — misclassification can mean a 5–25 percentage-point rate difference and reclassification penalties at port. The calculator at /tariff/9603-21-00-toothbrushes shows the sibling code's full rate stack.
Can I source ball-point pens from Vietnam to avoid Section 301?
Yes — but only if the product is genuinely manufactured in Vietnam. Section 301 applies to country of ORIGIN, not country of shipment. Routing Chinese-made goods through Vietnam to dodge the surcharge is transshipment fraud, which CBP actively prosecutes with treble damages and criminal exposure. If your supplier sources Chinese components and only finishes in Vietnam, the substantial-transformation test still has to pass — pre-shipment factory audits and country-of-origin certificates protect you.
How is landed cost calculated for ball-point pens?
Landed cost equals product cost plus shipping plus insurance plus every applicable duty (MFN, Section 301, Section 122, Section 232 on metals, AD/CVD where listed) plus customs processing fees (MPF and HMF). All duty rates apply to CIF value (cost + insurance + freight). For HS 9608.10.00, the engine applies 0.8¢ each + 5.4% MFN, 7.5% Section 301 on China origin, 10% Section 122 (until 2026-07-20), then layers MPF (0.3464% capped) and HMF (0.125% ocean-only) on top. Run your own numbers in the free calculator linked above.
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