Pencils — HTS 9609
Pencils (other than those pencils of heading 9608), crayons, pencil leads, pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks and tailors' chalks
Chapter 96 › Heading 9609
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 9609 is a broad product category for certain writing and drawing materials. It covers pencils that are not classified in heading 9608, along with crayons, pencil leads, pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks, and tailors’ chalks. The heading describes the general kind of product; it is not, by itself, the complete classification for entry purposes.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, start with the item’s essential identity and then follow the subheadings under 9609. The more specific code commonly depends on the product type and its material or construction—for example, whether it is a finished pencil, a separate lead, a crayon, a pastel, charcoal, or chalk. Review the legal descriptions, unit of quantity, and any additional notes, and obtain customs-broker or classification advice when the product has unusual materials or features.
What to check
- Identify the product’s primary function and physical form before choosing a subheading.
- Confirm whether the item is a finished pencil, separate pencil lead, crayon, pastel, charcoal, or a type of chalk.
- Check construction and materials, such as whether a pencil has a wood casing or another type of holder, because these details may affect the subheading.
- Read the complete 8-digit description and any applicable section, chapter, and heading notes—not just the first matching phrase.
- Keep product specifications, photos, packaging information, and supplier descriptions to support the classification; ask a customs broker or request a binding ruling if the choice is uncertain.
HTS heading 9609 summary
Pencils is a 4-digit product category containing 1 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 9609.20 | Pencil leads, black or colored |
| 9609.90 | Other |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9609.10.00.00 👉 | Pencils and crayons, with leads encased in a sheath | 14¢/gross + 4.3% | Free | 50¢/gross + 30% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 9609?
Pencils (other than those pencils of heading 9608), crayons, pencil leads, pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks and tailors' chalks. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.