Product classification
HS code for Pen refill: 9608.60
Pens, ball-point, refills comprising the ball point and ink-reservoir.
Classification of pen refill under HS 9608.60
Pen refills are classified under HS code 9608.60. This specific subheading is reserved for refills for ball-point pens, comprising the ball point and ink-reservoir. The classification is highly specific and is based on the physical assembly of the product. To qualify for 9608.60, the refill must be a complete unit consisting of a tube containing the ink and the writing tip (the ball point). This classification is guided by GRI 1, as the heading and subheading text explicitly describe the product. If the refill is for a different type of pen, such as a fountain pen or a felt-tip marker, it would fall under the general parts category of 9608.99. The distinction is made because ball-point refills are a high-volume, standardized commodity in international trade, necessitating their own dedicated subheading within the Harmonized System.
- Covers
- Standard ball-point pen refills
- Gel ink refills with ball-point tips
- Pressurized ink cartridges for space pens
- Metal-bodied ball-point refills
- Plastic-bodied ball-point refills
- Also under 9608.60
- Parker Quinkflow Refills
- Pilot G2 Refills
- Cross Ballpoint Refills
- Fisher Space Pen Refills
- Montblanc Ballpoint Refills
Codes often confused with 9608.60
Common mistake. A common misclassification is 3215.90, which covers writing ink. While refills contain ink, they are considered articles of Chapter 96 because they include the mechanical writing mechanism (the ball point). Another frequent error is using 9608.10, which is for complete ball-point pens. Importers must distinguish between the finished pen and the replaceable internal refill. Additionally, fountain pen ink cartridges are often confused with this code, but they belong in 9608.99 because they lack the integrated writing point required for 9608.60.
Top exporters and importers of HS 960860 (the code used for pen refill), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 960860 (the code used for pen refill) 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.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 960860, not only pen refill.
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 pen refill
Brazil classifies pen refill under NCM 9608.60.00: HS 9608.60 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about pen refill
What is the HS code for Pen refill?
The HS code for Pen refill is 960860 (Pens; ball-point, refills comprising the ball point and ink-reservoir). The HS code for ball-point pen refills is 9608.60. Other types of refills are classified under 9608.99.
How do I classify Pen refill for customs?
Pen refill is classified under HS code 960860 — Pens; ball-point, refills comprising the ball point and ink-reservoir. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are gel pen refills included in 9608.60?
Yes, as long as the gel refill consists of both an ink reservoir and a ball-point tip, it is classified under 9608.60.
Which countries are the top exporters of pen refill (HS 960860)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 960860 (the code used for pen refill) 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 pen refill (HS 960860)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 960860 (the code used for pen refill) 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.
Is the HS code for Pen refill the same in all countries?
The base HS code 960860 for Pen refill 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 pen refill in Brazil?
In Brazil, pen refill (HS 960860) is classified under NCM 9608.60.00.