| HS Code | Official Doc | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8543709860 | Doc | 57.6% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
| 8543906500 | Doc | 55.0% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
Electric Pen
An electric pen is a writing and drawing instrument powered by an electric motor. Historically, it predates the ballpoint pen and fountain pen as a commercially available writing tool. Modern iterations often refer to digital styluses used with touch screen devices.
History & Early Models
The first electric pen was invented by Thomas Edison in 1875 as part of his electric pen system, intended for stencil duplication. This early version used a vibrating electrode to create perforations in stencil paper, which was then used with ink to reproduce documents. Later, variations were developed for handwriting and artistic purposes. These early models typically used a rotating wheel or vibrating point to apply ink to the paper.
Purpose
The primary purpose of an electric pen has evolved over time:
- Early 20th Century: Rapid document duplication, office copying, and basic handwriting.
- Mid-20th Century: Artistic applications like pinstriping, sign painting, and drafting.
- 21st Century: Digital note-taking, drawing, and interaction with touch screen devices.
Function
Electric pens function by employing an electric motor to drive a writing or marking element.
- Traditional Electric Pens: A motor rotates a wheel or vibrates a point, which is in contact with the paper and supplied with ink. The speed and pressure of the motor determine the line thickness and darkness.
- Digital Electric Pens (Styluses): These pens use electronic components to translate hand movements into digital signals. They typically employ technologies like capacitive touch, electromagnetic resonance, or active digitizers to interact with touch screens.
Usage Scenarios
- Office Environments (Historical): Creating multiple copies of documents before the widespread adoption of photocopiers.
- Art & Design: Pinstriping on vehicles, creating detailed artwork, sign painting, drafting technical drawings.
- Digital Art & Note-taking: Sketching, painting, handwriting notes on tablets, smartphones, and interactive whiteboards.
- Education: Interactive learning, digital assignments, and classroom presentations.
Common Types
- Edison-style Electric Pens: The original design, featuring a vibrating electrode for stencil cutting. Rarely used today.
- Rotary Electric Pens: Utilize a rotating wheel to apply ink. Commonly used for pinstriping and sign painting.
- Capacitive Styluses: Interact with touch screens by mimicking a finger's touch. Widely used with smartphones and tablets.
- Active Digitizer Styluses: Require a touch screen with a digitizer layer. Offer higher precision and pressure sensitivity, often used by artists and designers.
- Electromagnetic Resonance (EMR) Styluses: Used with specialized touch screens, providing pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition.
Based on the provided information, classifying "electric pen" requires careful consideration of its function and components. Here's a breakdown of potentially relevant HS codes:
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8543709860: This code covers “Electrical machines and apparatus, having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; parts thereof: Other machines and apparatus: Other: Other Other”. This is a broad category for electrical machines with unspecified functions. If the electric pen functions as a standalone electrical device with a unique purpose not covered elsewhere, this could be applicable. The total tax rate is 57.6%, comprised of a 2.6% base tariff, a 25.0% additional tariff, and a 30.0% additional tariff effective after April 2, 2025.
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8543906500: This code refers to “Electrical machines and apparatus, having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; parts thereof: Parts: Other: Printed circuit assemblies: Of flat panel displays other than for articles of heading 8528, except for subheadings 8528.52 or 8528.62”. If the electric pen contains printed circuit assemblies specifically designed for flat panel displays (excluding those in heading 8528.52 or 8528.62), this code might be relevant. The total tax rate is 55.0%, consisting of a 0.0% base tariff, a 25.0% additional tariff, and a 30.0% additional tariff effective after April 2, 2025.
According to the provided reference material, the HS code options related to 'electric pen' are limited, with only the following 2 found.
It is important to determine the precise function of the electric pen. If it is a complete device, 8543709860 is more likely. If it contains specific printed circuit assemblies as described, 8543906500 may be appropriate.