HS Code 960840
6-digit classification for Propelling or Sliding Pencils, with duty lookup and 1688 checks before payment
Official description: Ballpoint pens; felttipped and other poroustipped pens and markers; fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens; duplicating stylos; propelling or sliding pencils; penholders, pencilholders and similar holders; parts (including caps and clips) of the foregoing articles, other than those of heading 9609 : Propelling or sliding pencils
Also searched as: mechanical pencils, propelling pencils, sliding pencils, click pencils, automatic pencils, lead pencils
Classification
How 960840 breaks down
Miscellaneous manufactured articles
Ballpoint pens; felttipped and other poroustipped pens and markers; fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens; duplicating stylos; propelling or sliding pencils; penholders, pencilholders and similar holders; parts (including caps and clips) of the foregoing articles, other than those of heading 9609
Propelling or sliding pencils
Short answer
What HS code 960840 means before paying a 1688 supplier
HS code 960840 is the 6-digit HS 2022 starting point for propelling or sliding pencils; often searched as mechanical pencils, propelling pencils, sliding pencils. Before using it in a landed-cost estimate, confirm the product material, function, destination market, and the official tariff source. Treat any 1688 supplier code as a clue, not the final import classification.
Use
Start with this 6-digit HS code and compare the product's material, function, and use.
Verify
Check the destination market's official HTS, TARIC, commodity-code, duty, VAT, or GST source.
Decide
If classification, documents, or restricted-product risk is unclear, submit the product for a written check.
Covered products
What products fall under HS code 960840?
Buyers sourcing propelling or sliding pencils from 1688 commonly describe it in these ways. If your product matches, 960840 is likely the right 6-digit starting point — confirm material and intended use against the official tariff.
US import duty · China origin
US import duty for HS 960840
Published USITC HTS rates for propelling or sliding pencils (960840), aggregated at the 6-digit level. A research estimate — the final rate depends on your full 8-10 digit HTS line.
Base MFN rate
3.3%
Average across 2 US national tariff lines under 960840.
Section 301 (China)
+7.5%
Covered lines under this code carry a Section 301 China surcharge.
Effective China-origin
≈10.8%
Base rate with applicable 301 surcharges — before MPF/HMF and any trade-action changes.
Source: USITC HTS (base MFN) + Section 301 overlay · data as of 2026-07-05 · rates change with trade actions — always confirm your full 10-digit line on hts.usitc.gov before pricing a product. Other markets (EU/UK/CA/AU/SG) below.
Import duty by market
Where to check the import duty for HS 960840
The 6-digit code is universal, but duty, VAT and GST are set by the destination country and depend on the full national tariff line with China as the country of origin. Start from the official source for your market.
United States
USITC / CBP · Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)
European Union
TARIC · Access2Markets
United Kingdom
HMRC · UK Integrated Online Tariff
Canada
CBSA · Canadian Customs Tariff
Australia
ABF · Australian customs tariff
Singapore
Singapore Customs · Singapore Trade Classification (HS)
Compare China-origin duty evidence across supported markets
Use the HS & import duty checker to estimate duty + VAT/GST for 960840 by destination before you pay a 1688 supplier.
Heading 9608
Other HS codes under 9608
Subheadings in the same 4-digit heading — "Ballpoint pens; felttipped and other poroustipped pens and markers; fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens; duplicating stylos; propelling or sliding pencils; penholders, pencilholders and similar holders; parts (including caps and clips) of the foregoing articles, other than those of heading 9609". If 960840 is not an exact match, one of these may classify your product more precisely.
Questions
HS code 960840: common questions
What is the US import duty for HS code 960840 from China?
As published in the USITC HTS (data as of 2026-07-05), the base MFN rate for 960840 averages about 3.3%, and Section 301 China surcharges apply on covered lines (up to +7.5%), bringing the effective China-origin rate to roughly 10.8% (averaged across 2 national tariff lines). This is a research estimate — the final rate depends on your full 8-10 digit HTS line; verify on hts.usitc.gov.
What is HS code 960840?
HS code 960840 is the World Customs Organization 6-digit HS 2022 subheading for "Ballpoint pens; felttipped and other poroustipped pens and markers; fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens; duplicating stylos; propelling or sliding pencils; penholders, pencilholders and similar holders; parts (including caps and clips) of the foregoing articles, other than those of heading 9609 : Propelling or sliding pencils". The first two digits (96) are the chapter — Miscellaneous manufactured articles — and digits 3-4 (9608) are the heading. Countries add further digits (8-10) for their national tariff line.
What products fall under HS 960840?
Common products classified under 960840 include mechanical pencils, propelling pencils, sliding pencils, click pencils, automatic pencils, lead pencils and similar items matching propelling or sliding pencils. The correct code still depends on the product's material, function and intended use.
How do I find the import duty for HS code 960840?
Duty is set by the destination country, not by the 6-digit HS code alone. Start from the official tariff of your market — USITC HTS (US), TARIC / Access2Markets (EU), GOV.UK Trade Tariff (UK), CBSA (Canada), ABF (Australia) or Singapore Customs — and look up the full national code with China as the country of origin.
Is HS code 960840 the same in every country?
The first 6 digits (960840) are the same worldwide under the WCO Harmonized System. Beyond that, each country extends the code (HTS in the US, TARIC in the EU, etc.) and sets its own duty and tax rates.
Can I trust the HS code a 1688 supplier gives me?
Treat a supplier-provided code as a clue, not a final classification. It can be incomplete, China-export-specific, or mismatched to your destination's rules. Verify against the official tariff and your product's actual material and use.
Is HSN code 960840 the same as HS code 960840?
Yes at the 6-digit level. India's HSN (Harmonized System of Nomenclature) uses the same WCO base, so HSN 960840 covers the same "propelling or sliding pencils" scope; India then extends it to 8 digits for GST and customs. Check the Indian Customs tariff (CBIC) for the full national line.
Chapter 96
Explore Miscellaneous manufactured articles
Sourcing propelling or sliding pencils from 1688?
Get a written pre-payment check — classification clues, China-origin landed cost, and supplier risk — before you commit. 5,754 HS codes covered.