Pens; ball-point, felt tipped, other porous tipped pens; fountain pens, stylograph pens duplicating stylos, propelling or sliding pencils; parts of the foregoing, excluding those of heading no. 9609

HS v2022 Code: 9608

About pens; ball-point, felt tipped, other porous tipped pens; fountain pens, stylograph pens duplicating stylos, propelling or sliding pencils; parts of the foregoing, excluding those of heading no. 9609

HS code 9608 covers a diverse range of writing instruments, including ball-point pens, felt-tipped pens, fountain pens, and mechanical pencils. These products are essential tools for personal, educational, and professional use, making them a vital part of the global stationery and office supplies industry. The production and trade of these items play a significant role in the broader economy, supporting various sectors such as education, office administration, and creative industries.

Production process

The production of the writing instruments covered under HS code 9608 typically involves a combination of automated and manual processes. Manufacturers often utilize injection molding techniques to create the plastic or metal components, such as the barrel and cap of a pen. The assembly of these components, including the insertion of the ink cartridge or mechanical pencil mechanism, is frequently done by hand to ensure quality and precision. Some specialized writing instruments, like fountain pens, may also involve additional steps, such as the crafting of the nib and the filling mechanism.

Production inputs

The main inputs required for the production of HS code 9608 items include a variety of raw materials, such as plastics, metals, and inks. Manufacturers may also rely on specialized machinery and equipment, including injection molding machines, assembly lines, and quality control testing equipment. Additionally, skilled labor, particularly in the assembly and finishing stages, is an essential input for this industry.

Production outputs

The primary outputs of the HS code 9608 industry are the various types of writing instruments, including ball-point pens, felt-tipped pens, fountain pens, and mechanical pencils. These products are then consumed by a wide range of industries and end-users, such as 4802 (Paper and paperboard, not coated, of a kind used for writing, printing or other graphic purposes, and non-perforated punch-cards and punch-tape paper, in rolls or rectangular (including square) sheets, of any size), 4911 Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets, and 8473 (Parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying cases and the like) suitable for use solely or principally with machines of headings 8469 to 8472).

Family tree for pens; ball-point, felt tipped, other porous tipped pens; fountain pens, stylograph pens duplicating stylos, propelling or sliding pencils; parts of the foregoing, excluding those of heading no. 9609

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/96'>96: Miscellaneous manufactured articles</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9608'>9608: Pens; ball-point, felt tipped, other porous tipped pens; fountain pens, stylograph pens duplicating stylos, propelling or sliding pencils; parts of the foregoing, excluding those of heading no. 9609</a>"]

    A --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9601'>9601: Ivory, bone, tortoise-shell, horn, antlers, coral, mother-of-pearl and other animal carving material and articles of these materials; worked, (including articles obtained by moulding)</a>"]
A --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9602'>9602: Vegetable, mineral carving material and articles of these materials, moulded or carved articles of wax, stearin, natural gums, resins or modelling pastes, worked unhardened gelatin (not heading no. 3503)</a>"]
A --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9603'>9603: Brooms, brushes (including parts of machines), hand operated floor sweepers, mops and feather dusters; knots and tufts for broom or brush making; paint pads and rollers; squeegees</a>"]
A --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9604'>9604: Hand sieves and hand riddles</a>"]
A --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9605'>9605: Travel sets; for personal toilet, sewing, shoe or clothes cleaning</a>"]
A --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9606'>9606: Buttons, press-fasteners, snap-fasteners and press-studs, button moulds and other parts of these articles; button blanks</a>"]
A --> I["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9607'>9607: Slide fasteners and parts thereof</a>"]
A --> J["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9609'>9609: Pencils (not of heading no. 9608), crayons, pencil leads, pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks and tailors' chalks</a>"]
A --> K["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9610'>9610: Slates and boards, with writing or drawing surfaces, whether or not framed</a>"]
A --> L["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9611'>9611: Stamps; date, numbering, sealing stamps and the like (including devices for printing or embossing labels), designed for operating by hand; hand operated composing sticks and printing sets</a>"]
A --> M["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9612'>9612: Typewriter, similar ribbons, inked, otherwise prepared for giving impressions, whether or not on spools or in cartridges; ink pads, whether or not inked, with or without boxes</a>"]
A --> N["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9613'>9613: Cigarette lighters and other lighters, whether or not mechanical or electrical and parts thereof other than flints and wicks</a>"]
A --> O["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9614'>9614: Smoking pipes (including pipe bowls) and cigar or cigarette holders, and parts thereof</a>"]
A --> P["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9615'>9615: Combs, hair-slides and similar; hairpins, curling pins, curling grips and hair curlers and the like, other than those of heading no. 8516 and parts thereof</a>"]
A --> Q["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9616'>9616: Scent sprays and similar toilet sprays and mounts and heads therefor; powder-puffs and pads for the application of cosmetics or toilet preparations</a>"]
A --> R["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9617'>9617: Vacuum flasks and other vacuum vessels, complete with cases; parts thereof other than glass inners</a>"]
A --> S["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9618'>9618: Tailors' dummies and other lay figures; automata and other animated displays used for shop window dressing</a>"]
A --> T["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9619'>9619: Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers), napkin liners and similar articles, of any material</a>"]
A --> U["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/9620'>9620: Monopods, bipods, tripods and similar articles</a>"]

    B --> V["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/960810'>960810: Pens; ball point</a>"]
B --> W["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/960820'>960820: Pens; felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers</a>"]
B --> X["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/960830'>960830: Pens; fountain, stylograph and other pens</a>"]
B --> Y["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/960840'>960840: Pencils; propelling or sliding</a>"]
B --> Z["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/960850'>960850: Pen and pencil sets; of articles from two or more of the foregoing sub-headings</a>"]
B --> BA["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/960860'>960860: Pens; ball-point, refills comprising the ball point and ink-reservoir</a>"]
B --> BB["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/960891'>960891: Pens; nibs and nib points</a>"]
B --> BC["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/960899'>960899: Pens and pencils; duplicating stylos, pen-holders, pencil-holders, and similar holders, parts of the articles of heading 9608, including caps and clips</a>"]


    %% Color coordination by level

    classDef level1 color:#000,fill:#a8f9ff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
    classDef level2 color:#000,fill:#e0a458,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level3 color:#000,fill:#419d78,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level4 color:#000,fill:#c04abc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level5 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level6 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef highlight color:#000,fill:#fff,stroke:#000,stroke-width:5px



  %% Apply classes
  class A level2
class B level4
class C level4
class D level4
class E level4
class F level4
class G level4
class H level4
class I level4
class J level4
class K level4
class L level4
class M level4
class N level4
class O level4
class P level4
class Q level4
class R level4
class S level4
class T level4
class U level4
class V level6
class W level6
class X level6
class Y level6
class Z level6
class BA level6
class BB level6
class BC level6

  class B highlight

  %% class A level1
  %% class B,C level2
  %% class D,E,F,G,H,I level2
  %% class J,K,L,M,N,O,P level3
  %% class B highlight