HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 9609.90 – Pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks, tailors' chalk
HS code 9609.90 is the 6-digit subheading for pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks, tailors' chalk. It is used for soft pastels, oil pastels, pastel pencils (lead only), compressed charcoal sticks and vine charcoal.
What HS 9609.90 covers
This HS code encompasses a variety of non-encased drawing and marking materials, including pastels (soft and oil), drawing charcoals, and various types of chalks for writing or drawing, as well as tailor's chalk. These products are essential tools for artists, educators, and specific trades, offering diverse textures and effects for creative and practical applications. International trade sees these items moving from specialized manufacturers to art supply stores, educational distributors, and industrial suppliers worldwide. Importers include art retailers, schools, and textile industry suppliers, while exporters are often companies with expertise in pigment formulation and binder technology. Key aspects include pigment quality, binder consistency, and non-toxic formulations, particularly for educational and artistic use. The versatility of these materials makes them a staple in many creative and professional fields.
- Covers
- Soft pastels
- Oil pastels
- Pastel pencils (lead only)
- Compressed charcoal sticks
- Vine charcoal
- Blackboard chalk
- Sidewalk chalk
- Tailor's chalk
- Examples
- Sennelier Soft Pastels
- Faber-Castell Polychromos Pastels
- Nitram Academie Fusains charcoal
- Crayola Sidewalk Chalk
- Dritz Tailor's Chalk
Codes often confused with 9609.90
Common mistake. This code should not be confused with encased crayons (9609.10) or pencil leads (9609.20) which are typically thinner and designed for mechanical pencils. It also differs from artists' colors in tubes or pans (3213.10).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 960990, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 960990 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 54% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 21% 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 China $200M 54% of world exports
- 2 United States $21M 5.6% of world exports
- 3 France $19M 5.2% of world exports
World total: $368M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $78M 21% of world imports
- 2 Germany $23M 6.3% of world imports
- 3 France $15M 4.0% of world imports
World total: $366M 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 9609.90
Brazil does not split HS 9609.90: its NCM code is 9609.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 96.09 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 9609.90
What is HS code 960990?
HS code 960990 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks, tailors' chalk. This HS code encompasses a variety of non-encased drawing and marking materials, including pastels (soft and oil), drawing charcoals, and various types of chalks for writing or drawing, as well as tailor's chalk. These products are essential tools for artists, educators, and specific trades, offering diverse textures and effects for creative and practical applications. International trade sees these items moving from specialized manufacturers to art supply stores, educational distributors, and industrial suppliers worldwide. Importers include art retailers, schools, and textile industry suppliers, while exporters are often companies with expertise in pigment formulation and binder technology. Key aspects include pigment quality, binder consistency, and non-toxic formulations, particularly for educational and artistic use. The versatility of these materials makes them a staple in many creative and professional fields.
What products fall under HS code 960990?
Soft pastels, oil pastels, pastel pencils (lead only), compressed charcoal sticks, vine charcoal, blackboard chalk, sidewalk chalk, tailor's chalk
What are common misclassifications for HS code 960990?
This code should not be confused with encased crayons (9609.10) or pencil leads (9609.20) which are typically thinner and designed for mechanical pencils. It also differs from artists' colors in tubes or pans (3213.10).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 960990?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 960990 in UN Comtrade data were China ($200M, 54% of world exports), the United States ($21M) and France ($19M). World exports came to about $368M, 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 960990?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 960990 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($78M, 21% of world imports), Germany ($23M) and France ($15M). World imports came to about $366M, 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 960990 structured?
HS code 960990 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (96) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (09) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 960990?
In Brazil, HS code 960990 is NCM 9609.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.