HTS 9608.99.40Ball 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: Other: Parts of articles provided for in subheadings 9608.10 and 9608.30 (other than balls for ball point pens)

What that translates to:Parts of ballpoint and fountain pens (not balls)

Also written 96089940 or 9608.99.4000. Rates as CBP is collecting them today. Updated Oct 1, 2026.

Country of origin

Parts of ballpoint and fountain pens (not balls) (HTS 9608.99.40) from China owe 20% in total duties as of Oct 1, 2026: no regular duty plus a 12.5% forced-labor tariff (Section 301) and a 7.5% China tariff (Section 301).

Total duty rate20%That's $2,000 on a $10,000 shipment.

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

China tariffSection 301, since Feb 14, 20207.5%

Regular dutyBase rate (MFN) in the tariff scheduleFree

Total duty20%

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.

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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: Other: Parts of articles provided for in subheadings 9608.10 and 9608.30 (other than 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.

9608.99.4000 (9608994000)Parts of articles provided for in subheadings 9608.10 and 9608.30 (other than balls for ball point pens) · reported in No.

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 9608.99.40

What is the duty rate for HTS 9608.99.40?

The regular (column 1 general) rate printed in the tariff schedule is Free. Goods from China owe 20% in total as of Oct 1, 2026, including any additional tariffs. Additional tariffs depend on the country of origin; choose one above to see its full rate.

Is HTS 9608.99.40 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 9608.99.40 subject to Section 232 tariffs?

No Section 232 tariff applies to HTS 9608.99.40 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.