Product classification
HS code for Stylograph pen: 9608.30
Pens, fountain, stylograph and other pens.
Classification of stylograph pen under HS 9608.30
The stylograph pen is classified under HS code 9608.30 because it is a writing instrument that utilizes a specific ink delivery mechanism involving a reservoir and a technical point. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) for the Harmonized System, products are classified based on their constituent materials and their primary function. Heading 9608 encompasses various pens, including ballpoints and markers, but subheading 9608.30 is specifically reserved for fountain pens and stylograph pens. A stylograph pen differs from a standard fountain pen as it typically uses a narrow tube and a weighted wire to regulate ink flow, often used in technical drawing or drafting. The classification is determined by the fact that the pen holds a supply of liquid ink and does not use a ball-bearing or porous tip for application. These instruments are distinct from mechanical pencils or markers because of their fluid ink system and specialized nib or point design.
- Covers
- Technical drawing pens
- Drafting stylographs
- Refillable reservoir pens
- Ink-cartridge stylograph pens
- Rapidograph-style technical pens
- Also under 9608.30
- Montblanc Meisterstück
- Lamy Safari
- Parker Sonnet
- Waterman Expert
- Rotring Isograph
Codes often confused with 9608.30
Common mistake. Stylograph pens are frequently confused with ballpoint pens, which are classified under HS code 9608.10. The primary difference lies in the mechanism; ballpoints use a rotating ball to dispense ink, whereas stylographs use a capillary tube or nib. Another common error is classifying them under 9608.20, which is reserved for felt-tipped or other porous-tipped pens and markers. Additionally, if the pen is part of a set with other instruments, it might be misclassified under 9608.50, which covers sets of articles from two or more of the subheadings within 9608.
Top exporters and importers of HS 960830 (the code used for stylograph pen), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 960830 (the code used for stylograph pen) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 11% 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 960830, not only stylograph pen.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $143M 38% of world exports
- 2 China $45M 12% of world exports
- 3 Japan $30M 8.0% of world exports
World total: $376M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $45M 11% of world imports
- 2 United States $38M 9.7% of world imports
- 3 China $35M 8.9% of world imports
World total: $393M 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 stylograph pen
Brazil classifies stylograph pen under NCM 9608.30.00: HS 9608.30 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about stylograph pen
What is the HS code for Stylograph pen?
The HS code for Stylograph pen is 960830 (Pens; fountain, stylograph and other pens). The HS code for a stylograph pen is 9608.30, which covers fountain pens, stylograph pens, and other reservoir pens.
How do I classify Stylograph pen for customs?
Stylograph pen is classified under HS code 960830 — Pens; fountain, stylograph and other pens. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include the ink cartridges?
If the ink cartridges are presented with the pen, they are typically classified together. However, ink cartridges imported separately are classified under HS code 3215.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of stylograph pen (HS 960830)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 960830 (the code used for stylograph pen) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($143M, 38% of world exports), China ($45M) and Japan ($30M). World exports came to about $376M, 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 stylograph pen (HS 960830)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 960830 (the code used for stylograph pen) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($45M, 11% of world imports), the United States ($38M) and China ($35M). World imports came to about $393M, 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 Stylograph pen the same in all countries?
The base HS code 960830 for Stylograph pen 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 stylograph pen in Brazil?
In Brazil, stylograph pen (HS 960830) is classified under NCM 9608.30.00.