Product classification
HS code for Crayon: 9609.10
Pencils and crayons, with leads encased in sheath.
Classification of crayon under HS 9609.10
Crayons are classified under HS code 9609.10. This classification falls under Chapter 96, which encompasses miscellaneous manufactured articles. Heading 9609 specifically includes pencils, crayons, pencil leads, pastels, and writing or drawing chalks. The subheading 9609.10 is specifically for pencils and crayons with leads encased in a rigid sheath. In the context of crayons, this typically refers to wax-based or grease-based drawing implements that are encased in wood, plastic, or another protective outer layer. The classification is determined by the physical form of the product rather than its chemical composition. While the "lead" of a crayon is usually a mixture of wax and pigments, the presence of the sheath is the deciding factor for 9609.10. This distinguishes these products from "naked" crayons or pastels which do not have a protective casing. The Harmonized System groups these items together because they share a common purpose in writing, drawing, or marking, and the sheath provides a specific structural characteristic that differentiates them from bulk marking materials. This classification applies to both children's coloring crayons and industrial marking crayons, provided they are sheathed. The rigid casing allows for sharpening and protects the core from breaking, which is the technical justification for its specific subheading.
- Covers
- Wax crayons in wood casing
- Colored pencils
- Grease pencils in sheaths
- Plastic-encased crayons
- Copying pencils
- Also under 9609.10
- Faber-Castell Polychromos
- Staedtler Noris
- Prismacolor Premier
- Crayola Crayons
- Derwent Coloursoft
Codes often confused with 9609.10
Common mistake. Which other HS codes get confused with this one and why. Mention specific code numbers. A common misclassification is 9609.90, which covers pastels and crayons without a sheath (naked wax crayons). Another error is 3213, which covers artists' or students' colors in sets; however, if the product is a sheathed pencil/crayon, 9609.10 takes precedence. 9608 is also used for pens and markers, which are distinct from wax-based crayons.
Top exporters and importers of HS 960910 (the code used for crayon), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 960910 (the code used for crayon) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 46% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 960910, not only crayon.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $586M 46% of world exports
- 2 Germany $148M 12% of world exports
- 3 Brazil $74M 5.8% of world exports
World total: $1.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $207M 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $112M 9.7% of world imports
- 3 France $46M 3.9% of world imports
World total: $1.2B 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 crayon
Brazil classifies crayon under NCM 9609.10.00: HS 9609.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about crayon
What is the HS code for Crayon?
The HS code for Crayon is 960910 (Pencils and crayons; with leads encased in sheath). The HS code for a sheathed crayon is 9609.10. If it is unsheathed, it falls under 9609.90.
How do I classify Crayon for customs?
Crayon is classified under HS code 960910 — Pencils and crayons; with leads encased in sheath. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What if the crayon has no sheath?
If the crayon is a simple wax stick without a wooden or plastic casing, it is classified under HS code 9609.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of crayon (HS 960910)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 960910 (the code used for crayon) in UN Comtrade data were China ($586M, 46% of world exports), Germany ($148M) and Brazil ($74M). World exports came to about $1.3B, 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 crayon (HS 960910)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 960910 (the code used for crayon) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($207M, 18% of world imports), Germany ($112M) and France ($46M). World imports came to about $1.2B, 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.
Is the HS code for Crayon the same in all countries?
The base HS code 960910 for Crayon is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for crayon in Brazil?
In Brazil, crayon (HS 960910) is classified under NCM 9609.10.00.