HTS 9608.99.30Ball point pens; felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers; fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens; duplicating styli; propelling or sliding pencils (for example, mechanical pencils); pen-holders, pencil-holders and similar holders; parts (including caps and clips) of the foregoing articles, other than those of heading 9609:Other: Other: Balls for ball point pens

What that translates to:Balls for ball point pens

Also written 96089930 or 9608.99.3000. Rates as CBP is collecting them today. Updated Oct 1, 2026.

Country of origin

Balls for ball point pens (HTS 9608.99.30) from China, as of Oct 1, 2026: the regular duty is set by reference to another line, so the total can't be shown as one number.

Total duty rateSee rate

Forced-labor tariffSection 301, since Jul 24, 202612.5%

China tariffSection 301, since Feb 14, 20207.5%

Regular dutyBase rate (MFN) in the tariff scheduleSee below

Total dutySee rate

Rate in the schedule: 20¢/thousand + 3.5%

Court status: Challenged at the U.S. Court of International Trade in In re Section 301 Forced Labor Cases, Court No. 26-03555-3JP, before a three-judge panel. The plaintiffs, Learning Resources and others, have moved for judgment on the agency record, arguing that the action (91 FR 47318) exceeds USTR's statutory authority, is arbitrary and capricious, and is pretextual; 25 states, plaintiffs in Court No. 26-cv-03467-3JP, support them as amici (brief filed Sep 11, 2026). No ruling as of Oct 1, 2026, so the rate is unchanged.

Sources: USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule, Revision 20 (2026); USTR, Notice of Actions in Section 301 Investigations (forced labor), 91 FR 47318, Jul 28, 2026; HTS 9903.05.31; USTR, Notice of Modification of Section 301 Action (List 4A cut to 7.5% from Feb 14, 2020), 85 FR 3741, Jan 22, 2020; HTS 9903.88.15.

Estimate your duty

This code's rate is set by reference to another line, so we can't estimate it here. A licensed customs broker can work it out for your shipment.

Importing under HTS 9608.99.30? Talk to a licensed broker

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Details for customs filings

Official description

Ball point pens; felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers; fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens; duplicating styli; propelling or sliding pencils (for example, mechanical pencils); pen-holders, pencil-holders and similar holders; parts (including caps and clips) of the foregoing articles, other than those of heading 9609: Other: Other: Balls for ball point pens

Legal text from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, Revision 20 (2026), chapter 96: Miscellaneous manufactured articles.

Statistical lines

The 10-digit numbers used on entry paperwork. They share this code's duty rates.

9608.99.3000 (9608993000)Balls for ball point pens · reported in thousands

What changed for this code

Jul 24, 2026Forced-labor tariffs start on imports from 60 economies (Section 301)
Jul 22, 202625% Section 301 tariff on products of Brazil starts
Jan 1, 2026Section 301 tariff on Nicaragua starts at 0%, set to rise to 10% in 2027 and 15% in 2028

Questions about HTS 9608.99.30

What is the duty rate for HTS 9608.99.30?

The regular (column 1 general) rate printed in the tariff schedule is 20¢/thousand + 3.5%. Additional tariffs depend on the country of origin; choose one above to see its full rate.

Is HTS 9608.99.30 subject to Section 301 tariffs?

Yes, for goods from 85 countries and territories as of Oct 1, 2026, including Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria. Choose a country above to see the rate and any exemptions.

Is HTS 9608.99.30 subject to Section 232 tariffs?

No Section 232 tariff applies to HTS 9608.99.30 as of Oct 1, 2026, from any country of origin.

HTSLookup shows the duties CBP collects on this code by country of origin. Antidumping or countervailing duties may also apply to some exporters; they're set per company and aren't shown.