| HS Code | Official Doc | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9608500000 | Doc | The rate applicable to each article in the absence of this subhe+30.0% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
Ballpoint Pen Set
A ballpoint pen set is a collection of ballpoint pens, typically including multiple pens with varying ink colors, tip sizes, or specialized features, often packaged together for convenience or as a gift.
Material
The primary components of a ballpoint pen set are:
- Pen Body: Commonly constructed from plastic (polycarbonate, polypropylene, ABS), metal (stainless steel, brass, aluminum), or wood. Metal bodies offer increased durability and a premium feel.
- Ink Cartridge: Contains oil-based ink, formulated for smooth writing and quick drying. Ink colors vary widely, including black, blue, red, green, and more.
- Ballpoint Tip: A small ball (typically made of tungsten carbide, steel, or ceramic) rotates to transfer ink from the cartridge to the writing surface. Tip sizes range from 0.5mm to 1.6mm, influencing line width.
- Other Components: Include clips, caps, grips (rubber, plastic), and internal mechanisms for ink flow.
Purpose
The core purpose of a ballpoint pen set is writing and drawing. Sets cater to diverse needs, including:
- General Writing: Everyday note-taking, journaling, and document signing.
- Color Coding: Organizing information, highlighting, and artistic expression.
- Drafting and Sketching: Pens with finer tips are suitable for detailed work.
- Gift-Giving: Sets often serve as presents for students, professionals, or stationery enthusiasts.
Function
Ballpoint pens function through a simple mechanism:
- Ink Reservoir: The ink cartridge holds a supply of oil-based ink.
- Ball Rotation: As the pen is moved across a surface, the ballpoint tip rotates, picking up ink from the cartridge.
- Ink Transfer: The rotating ball transfers the ink onto the paper, creating a visible line.
- Gravity and Pressure: Gravity assists ink flow, and applied pressure helps regulate the amount of ink dispensed.
Usage Scenarios
Ballpoint pen sets are utilized in a wide range of environments:
- Office/Professional: Meetings, document signing, note-taking, and general administrative tasks.
- Educational: Schoolwork, exams, assignments, and creative projects.
- Home/Personal: Journaling, letter writing, budgeting, and artistic endeavors.
- Art/Drafting: Sketching, outlining, and detailed illustrations.
Common Types
- Standard Sets: Include a selection of black, blue, and red pens, often with medium-point tips.
- Colored Pen Sets: Feature a broader range of ink colors for color-coding and artistic expression.
- Gel Pen Sets: Utilize gel ink, offering smoother writing and more vibrant colors, though generally less water-resistant. (often marketed as pen sets, despite differing ink type)
- Fine Point Sets: Contain pens with smaller tip sizes (0.5mm or less) for precise writing and detailed work.
- Retractable Sets: Pens with a push-button mechanism for extending and retracting the tip.
- Luxury Sets: Feature high-quality materials (metal bodies, premium inks) and sophisticated designs, often presented in gift boxes.
- Calligraphy Sets: Include specialized pens with angled tips for creating varied line widths and decorative lettering. (often marketed as pen sets, despite differing functionality)
- Multi-Pen Sets: Combine multiple ink colors or pen types (ballpoint, gel, pencil) into a single pen body.
Ballpoint pen sets fall under the classification of sets of articles from two or more of the subheadings 9608.10, 9608.20, 9608.30 or 9608.40.
Here are the relevant HS codes based on the provided information:
- 9608.50.0000: This HS code covers sets of articles from two or more of the subheadings 9608.10 (ball point pens), 9608.20 (felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers), 9608.30 (fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens), or 9608.40 (duplicating styli; propelling or sliding pencils). It also includes pen-holders, pencil-holders and similar holders, as well as parts (including caps and clips) of the foregoing articles, other than those of heading 9609.
Tax Rate Details:
- Basic Duty: The rate applicable to each article in the absence of this subheading.
- Additional Duty: 0.0%
- Duty after April 2, 2025: 30%
- Total Duty: The rate applicable to each article in the absence of this subheading + 30.0%.
Important Note: The total duty applicable to ballpoint pen sets is calculated by adding the basic duty rate (which is not specified in the provided reference material) to an additional 30.0% duty, effective after April 2, 2025.