HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 9608.60 – Pens; ball-point, refills comprising the ball point and ink-reservoir
HS code 9608.60 is the 6-digit subheading for pens, ball-point, refills comprising the ball point and ink-reservoir. It is used for ballpoint pen refills, gel pen refills, fine point refills, medium point refills and blue ink refills.
What HS 9608.60 covers
This HS code is dedicated to refills for ballpoint pens, specifically those that integrate both the ballpoint tip and the ink reservoir into a single, replaceable unit. These refills are essential consumables for extending the life of ballpoint pens, promoting sustainability, and offering users a choice of ink colors or types. Importers include stationery distributors, office supply retailers, and large corporate buyers who stock refills for their employees. Exporters are typically specialized ink and pen component manufacturers, often operating on a large scale to meet global demand. Key trade considerations involve ink type (oil-based, gel), tip size, compatibility with various pen brands, and packaging (e.g., bulk vs. blister packs). The market for refills is directly tied to the sales of ballpoint pens, representing a significant aftermarket segment in the writing instrument industry.
- Covers
- Ballpoint pen refills
- Gel pen refills
- Fine point refills
- Medium point refills
- Blue ink refills
- Black ink refills
- Red ink refills
- Pressurized ballpoint refills
- Examples
- Parker Quinkflow Refills
- Pilot G2 Refills
- Cross Ballpoint Refills
- Fisher Space Pen Refills
- Montblanc Ballpoint Refills
Codes often confused with 9608.60
Common mistake. This code is specifically for ballpoint pen refills and should not be confused with 960810 (complete ballpoint pens) or 960990 (pencil leads or other writing leads). The key is that it's a *refill* for a ballpoint pen.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 960860, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 960860 in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 14% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Japan $69M 36% of world exports
- 2 China $27M 14% of world exports
- 3 France $25M 13% of world exports
World total: $193M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $25M 14% of world imports
- 2 China $25M 14% of world imports
- 3 Germany $15M 8.8% of world imports
World total: $171M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for 9608.60
Brazil does not split HS 9608.60: its NCM code is 9608.60.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 96.08 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 9608.60
What is HS code 960860?
HS code 960860 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Pens; ball-point, refills comprising the ball point and ink-reservoir. This HS code is dedicated to refills for ballpoint pens, specifically those that integrate both the ballpoint tip and the ink reservoir into a single, replaceable unit. These refills are essential consumables for extending the life of ballpoint pens, promoting sustainability, and offering users a choice of ink colors or types. Importers include stationery distributors, office supply retailers, and large corporate buyers who stock refills for their employees. Exporters are typically specialized ink and pen component manufacturers, often operating on a large scale to meet global demand. Key trade considerations involve ink type (oil-based, gel), tip size, compatibility with various pen brands, and packaging (e.g., bulk vs. blister packs). The market for refills is directly tied to the sales of ballpoint pens, representing a significant aftermarket segment in the writing instrument industry.
What products fall under HS code 960860?
Ballpoint pen refills, Gel pen refills, Fine point refills, Medium point refills, Blue ink refills, Black ink refills, Red ink refills, Pressurized ballpoint refills
What are common misclassifications for HS code 960860?
This code is specifically for ballpoint pen refills and should not be confused with 960810 (complete ballpoint pens) or 960990 (pencil leads or other writing leads). The key is that it's a *refill* for a ballpoint pen.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 960860?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 960860 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($69M, 36% of world exports), China ($27M) and France ($25M). World exports came to about $193M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 960860?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 960860 in UN Comtrade data were France ($25M, 14% of world imports), China ($25M) and Germany ($15M). World imports came to about $171M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 960860 structured?
HS code 960860 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (96) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (60) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 960860?
In Brazil, HS code 960860 is NCM 9608.60.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.