HTS code 9609 — Pencils (other than those pencils of heading 9608), crayons, pencil leads, pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks and tailors' chalks

Tariff lines under heading 9609

Full 10-digit codes with their general (MFN) duty rates. The correct line depends on the product's material, construction, and use.

Documents required to import under 9609

Customs paperwork typically required to import these goods into the United States. Conditional items depend on shipment value, transport mode, or origin.

• Commercial InvoiceRequired
• Packing ListRequired
• Bill of Lading / Airway BillRequired
• CBP Entry Summary (7501)Required

  Prepared and filed by your customs broker

• CBP Entry / Release (3461)Required

  Prepared and filed by your customs broker

• Customs Bond (CBP 301)Conditional

  Required for formal entries — generally shipments valued over $2,500

  Single-entry or continuous bond, obtained through your broker or a surety

• Importer Security Filing (ISF "10+2")Conditional

  Required for ocean freight only

  Filed electronically at least 24 hours before loading at the foreign port

• Importer ID Input Record (CBP 5106)Conditional

  Required to establish or update your importer-of-record number with CBP

  One-time setup for a new importer; not filed per shipment

• Entry Manifest (CBP 7533)Conditional

  Alternative to the 3461 for informal, low-value, or contiguous-country entries

• FWS Wildlife Declaration (Form 3-177)Conditional

  Required for wildlife, wildlife products, or CITES-listed species

  Filed with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at a designated port

Common questions

What is HTS code 9609?

HTS heading 9609 covers pencils (other than those pencils of heading 9608), crayons, pencil leads, pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks and tailors' chalks. It sits in Chapter 96 (miscellaneous manufactured articles) of the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule and contains 5 tariff lines.

What is the duty rate for HTS 9609?

Duty rates vary by line — 1 line carries a specific or compound duty. The general rate applies to most-favoured-nation trading partners; goods from countries with a free trade agreement may qualify for a reduced or duty-free special rate.

How many digits does a full HTS code have?

US import entries require the full 10-digit HTS code. Heading 9609 is the first four digits — the remaining six narrow it down to the specific product, which is what determines the duty rate you actually pay.

Related headings in Chapter 96

• 9601Worked ivory, bone, tortoise-shell, horn, antlers, coral, mother-of-pearl and other animal carving material, and articles of these materials (including articles obtained by molding)
• 9602Worked vegetable or mineral carving material and articles of these materials; molded or carved articles of wax, of stearin, of natural gums or natural resins, of modeling pastes, and other molded or carved articles, not elsewhere specified or included; worked, unhardened gelatin (except gelatin of heading 3503) and articles of unhardened gelatin
• 9603Brooms, brushes (including brushes constituting parts of machines, appliances or vehicles), hand-operated mechanical floor sweepers, not motorized, mops and feather dusters; prepared knots and tufts for broom or brush making; paint pads and rollers; squeegees (other than roller squeegees)
• 9604Hand sieves and hand riddles
• 9605Travel sets for personal toilet, sewing or shoe or clothes cleaning (other than manicure and pedicure sets of heading 8214)
• 9606Buttons, press-fasteners, snap-fasteners and press-studs, button molds and other parts of these articles; button blanks
• 9607Slide fasteners and parts thereof
• 9608Ball 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