Chapter 96 covers miscellaneous articles under the HS Code, including carving and molding materials, brooms, brushes, sieves, hand sieves, buttons, zippers, pens, pencils, crayons, chalk, blackboards, date stamps, typewriter ribbons, etc. These goods usually have multiple uses and diverse materials, and are not classified under other more specific chapters. This chapter is intended to provide a classification basis for those miscellaneous manufactured articles that cannot be classified under other chapters. Heading 9608 covers various pens, including ballpoint pens, felt-tip pens, fiber-tip pens, markers, fountain pens, styluses, pencils, crayons, chalk, etc., as well as their parts and accessories. This heading mainly targets pen products used for writing, drawing, and marking, regardless of their material or operating principle, as long as they meet the basic characteristics of a pen, they are classified under this heading. The first 2 digits 96 indicate Chapter 96 (miscellaneous articles); digits 3-4, 08, indicate heading 9608 (pens); digits 5-6, 20, indicate subheading 960820, specifically referring to felt-tip pens and other porous-tip pens. The subheading further distinguishes felt-tip pens from other pens, such as ballpoint pens (960810), fountain pens (960830), etc. Therefore, 960820 specifically refers to pens using a felt tip or porous material as the nib, usually used for writing, drawing, or marking. Felt-tip pens are classified under 960820 because their nib is made of porous materials such as felt and delivers ink through capillary action. It is different from the rolling ball structure of ballpoint pens (960810) and also different from the metal nib of fountain pens (960830). In addition, felt-tip pens are usually not classified under 9609 as pencils or crayons, because their writing mechanism and material characteristics are more consistent with the description of 9608.
Chapter
Chapter 96 covers miscellaneous articles under the HS Code, including carving and molding materials, brooms, brushes, sieves, hand sieves, buttons, zippers, pens, pencils, crayons, chalk, blackboards, date stamps, typewriter ribbons, etc. These goods usually have multiple uses and diverse materials, and are not classified under other more specific chapters. This chapter is intended to provide a classification basis for those miscellaneous manufactured articles that cannot be classified under other chapters.
Heading
Heading 9608 covers various pens, including ballpoint pens, felt-tip pens, fiber-tip pens, markers, fountain pens, styluses, pencils, crayons, chalk, etc., as well as their parts and accessories. This heading mainly targets pen products used for writing, drawing, and marking, regardless of their material or operating principle, as long as they meet the basic characteristics of a pen, they are classified under this heading.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 96 indicate Chapter 96 (miscellaneous articles); digits 3-4, 08, indicate heading 9608 (pens); digits 5-6, 20, indicate subheading 960820, specifically referring to felt-tip pens and other porous-tip pens. The subheading further distinguishes felt-tip pens from other pens, such as ballpoint pens (960810), fountain pens (960830), etc. Therefore, 960820 specifically refers to pens using a felt tip or porous material as the nib, usually used for writing, drawing, or marking.
Classification Basis
Felt-tip pens are classified under 960820 because their nib is made of porous materials such as felt and delivers ink through capillary action. It is different from the rolling ball structure of ballpoint pens (960810) and also different from the metal nib of fountain pens (960830). In addition, felt-tip pens are usually not classified under 9609 as pencils or crayons, because their writing mechanism and material characteristics are more consistent with the description of 9608.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as felt-tip pen, marker, etc., must be consistent with the actual item. Brand: Fill in the brand name of the commodity; if there is no brand, fill in 'None'. Model: The model or specifications of the commodity, such as nib thickness, color, etc. Nib material: Clearly state whether the nib is a felt tip or porous material, such as fiber, nylon, etc. Use: Explain the use of the pen, such as writing, drawing, marking, etc. Packaging specifications: Fill in the number of pieces per box or per pack, such as 12 pieces/box. Whether erasable: Indicate whether the ink is erasable, which affects subheading determination. Product name: felt-tip pen; Brand: ABC; Model: F-100; Nib material: fiber; Use: writing; Packaging specifications: 12 pieces/box; Whether erasable: No. Misclassifying felt-tip pens under 960810 (ballpoint pens), due to different nib structures. Ignoring the declaration of nib material, causing customs to question the classification. Failure to indicate whether erasable, which may affect subheading subdivision.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as felt-tip pen, marker, etc., must be consistent with the actual item.
⚠️ Misreporting as a ballpoint pen or fountain pen, resulting in incorrect classification.
Brand
Fill in the brand name of the commodity; if there is no brand, fill in 'None'.
⚠️ The brand does not match the actual item, or brand information is omitted.
Model
The model or specifications of the commodity, such as nib thickness, color, etc.
⚠️ Incomplete model filling, causing customs to be unable to identify it.
Nib material
Clearly state whether the nib is a felt tip or porous material, such as fiber, nylon, etc.
⚠️ Misreporting a felt tip as a plastic tip or metal tip.
Use
Explain the use of the pen, such as writing, drawing, marking, etc.
⚠️ The use description is too general, such as 'office use'.
Packaging specifications
Fill in the number of pieces per box or per pack, such as 12 pieces/box.
⚠️ The packaging specifications do not match the actual item, affecting quantity statistics.
Whether erasable
Indicate whether the ink is erasable, which affects subheading determination.
⚠️ Ignoring the erasable feature, resulting in incorrect classification.
Misclassifying felt-tip pens under 960810 (ballpoint pens), due to different nib structures.
Ignoring the declaration of nib material, causing customs to question the classification.
Failure to indicate whether erasable, which may affect subheading subdivision.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the pen's nib material and operating principle. The nib of a felt-tip pen is made of porous materials such as felt and fiber, and delivers ink through capillary action, which conforms to the description of 960820. If the nib is a rolling ball (ballpoint pen) or metal tip (fountain pen), it is classified under other subheadings. In addition, the pen's use and design need to be considered, but the main determining factor is the nib type. 960810 Ballpoint pen: The nib of a ballpoint pen is a rolling ball, delivering ink by rolling; the nib of a felt-tip pen is a porous material, through capillary action. 960830 Fountain pen: The nib of a fountain pen is metal, usually with a feed and ink reservoir; the nib of a felt-tip pen is felt or fiber. 960840 Mechanical pencil: Mechanical pencils use solid lead, pushed out by a mechanical device; felt-tip pens use liquid ink. 960850 Pen sets: Pen sets contain multiple pens; if they include a felt-tip pen, classification must be determined according to the rules for sets. Is the nib made of felt or porous material? Does it deliver ink through capillary action? Is it confused with a ballpoint pen or fountain pen? Is it erasable? Does it belong to a pen set?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the pen's nib material and operating principle. The nib of a felt-tip pen is made of porous materials such as felt and fiber, and delivers ink through capillary action, which conforms to the description of 960820. If the nib is a rolling ball (ballpoint pen) or metal tip (fountain pen), it is classified under other subheadings. In addition, the pen's use and design need to be considered, but the main determining factor is the nib type.
Confused Codes：
960810 - Ballpoint pen
The nib of a ballpoint pen is a rolling ball, delivering ink by rolling; the nib of a felt-tip pen is a porous material, through capillary action.
960830 - Fountain pen
The nib of a fountain pen is metal, usually with a feed and ink reservoir; the nib of a felt-tip pen is felt or fiber.
960840 - Mechanical pencil
Mechanical pencils use solid lead, pushed out by a mechanical device; felt-tip pens use liquid ink.
960850 - Pen sets
Pen sets contain multiple pens; if they include a felt-tip pen, classification must be determined according to the rules for sets.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the nib made of felt or porous material?
✓ Does it deliver ink through capillary action?
✓ Is it confused with a ballpoint pen or fountain pen?
✓ Is it erasable?
✓ Does it belong to a pen set?
❓ FAQ
How can I look up the HS code for felt-tip pens? You can use the customs tariff or HS code query system, enter the keyword 'felt-tip pen', and find the corresponding code 960820. At the same time, confirm the nib material and use to ensure accurate classification. Are the HS codes for felt-tip pens and markers the same? Markers are usually also classified under 960820 because their nibs are mostly made of felt or fiber materials. However, if the marker has a ballpoint structure, it is classified under 960810. It must be determined based on the nib type. What declaration elements are required when declaring felt-tip pens? Product name, brand, model, nib material, use, packaging specifications, whether erasable, etc. are required. Ensure the information is consistent with the actual item to avoid classification disputes. How can I check the import tariff rate for felt-tip pens? Tariff rates vary by country. You can check the importing country's customs official website or use an HS code query tool. Note that tariff rates may change, and the latest published version shall prevail. If felt-tip pens and ballpoint pens are packaged together, how should they be classified? If they are a set and both the felt-tip pen and ballpoint pen meet their respective subheadings, they are usually classified according to the rules for sets, either by essential character or separately. It is recommended to consult customs. How does the nib material of a felt-tip pen affect classification? Nib material is a key basis for classification. Felt tips or porous materials are classified under 960820, while rolling balls are classified under 960810, and metal tips under 960830. Therefore, the nib material must be accurately described when declaring. For cross-border e-commerce sales of felt-tip pens, how can classification errors be avoided? Product descriptions should be carefully checked to ensure the nib is felt or porous material, and declaration elements should be filled in correctly. Reference may be made to customs classification decisions or professional customs brokers may be consulted.
Q: How can I look up the HS code for felt-tip pens?
A: You can use the customs tariff or HS code query system, enter the keyword 'felt-tip pen', and find the corresponding code 960820. At the same time, confirm the nib material and use to ensure accurate classification.
Q: Are the HS codes for felt-tip pens and markers the same?
A: Markers are usually also classified under 960820 because their nibs are mostly made of felt or fiber materials. However, if the marker has a ballpoint structure, it is classified under 960810. It must be determined based on the nib type.
Q: What declaration elements are required when declaring felt-tip pens?
A: Product name, brand, model, nib material, use, packaging specifications, whether erasable, etc. are required. Ensure the information is consistent with the actual item to avoid classification disputes.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for felt-tip pens?
A: Tariff rates vary by country. You can check the importing country's customs official website or use an HS code query tool. Note that tariff rates may change, and the latest published version shall prevail.
Q: If felt-tip pens and ballpoint pens are packaged together, how should they be classified?
A: If they are a set and both the felt-tip pen and ballpoint pen meet their respective subheadings, they are usually classified according to the rules for sets, either by essential character or separately. It is recommended to consult customs.
Q: How does the nib material of a felt-tip pen affect classification?
A: Nib material is a key basis for classification. Felt tips or porous materials are classified under 960820, while rolling balls are classified under 960810, and metal tips under 960830. Therefore, the nib material must be accurately described when declaring.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce sales of felt-tip pens, how can classification errors be avoided?
A: Product descriptions should be carefully checked to ensure the nib is felt or porous material, and declaration elements should be filled in correctly. Reference may be made to customs classification decisions or professional customs brokers may be consulted.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.