| HS Code | Official Doc | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9609100000 | Doc | 14¢/gross + 4.3%+37.5% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
| 9609908000 | Doc | 37.5% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
| 3213100000 | Doc | 6.5% on the entire set+55.0% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
| 9608996000 | Doc | 37.5% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
| 9608100000 | Doc | 0.8¢ each + 5.4%+37.5% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
Pencils
Pencils are writing and drawing implements with a graphite core encased within a protective outer shell. They are a common tool used in a wide range of applications, from artistic endeavors to technical drafting and everyday writing tasks.
Material
The core of a pencil is primarily composed of graphite mixed with clay. The ratio of graphite to clay determines the hardness and darkness of the pencil's mark. A higher proportion of graphite results in a softer, darker line, while a higher proportion of clay produces a harder, lighter line.
The outer shell is typically made of wood, most commonly cedar due to its ease of sharpening and pleasant aroma. Other woods like basswood and poplar are also used. More recently, pencils have been produced with synthetic materials for the shell.
Erasers are often attached to the end of pencils, composed of rubber or a synthetic rubber compound.
Purpose
The primary purpose of a pencil is to leave a visible mark on a surface, typically paper, through friction. This mark can be used for:
- Writing: Note-taking, letter writing, composing documents.
- Drawing: Sketching, detailed artwork, technical illustrations.
- Drafting: Creating precise lines for architectural plans, engineering designs, and maps.
- Shading: Creating tonal variations in artwork.
- Marking: Labeling, highlighting, and making temporary notations.
Function
Pencils function by leaving behind a trace of graphite on a surface. The graphite particles adhere to the paper's fibers through mechanical adhesion and, to a lesser extent, chemical bonding. The hardness of the graphite core and the pressure applied determine the darkness and smoothness of the line. Erasers remove graphite by physically lifting it from the paper's surface.
Usage Scenarios
Pencils are utilized in a broad spectrum of settings:
- Education: Classroom note-taking, standardized tests, homework assignments.
- Art & Design: Sketching, drawing, rendering, illustration, architectural drafting.
- Office Environments: Note-taking, signing documents, basic calculations.
- Home Use: Everyday writing, journaling, puzzles, crafts.
- Technical Fields: Engineering, architecture, cartography, and surveying.
Common Types
Pencils are categorized based on their hardness and darkness, typically indicated by a grading system:
- HB: The most common type, offering a balance between hardness and darkness. Suitable for general writing and drawing.
- B (Black): Softer cores, producing darker lines. Used for shading and artistic drawing (e.g., 2B, 4B, 6B). Higher numbers indicate softer and darker pencils.
- H (Hard): Harder cores, producing lighter, finer lines. Used for technical drawing and detailed work (e.g., H, 2H, 4H). Higher numbers indicate harder and lighter pencils.
- F (Fine Point): A medium-hard pencil, producing a consistent line quality.
- Colored Pencils: Pencils with a core composed of pigments mixed with a binder, allowing for colored marks.
- Mechanical Pencils: Pencils that use a replaceable graphite lead, offering consistent line width and eliminating the need for sharpening.
- Graphite Pencils: Pencils specifically designed for artists, available in a wide range of hardnesses and darknesses.
- Woodless Graphite Pencils: Pencils consisting entirely of graphite encased in a thin lacquer coating.
Pencils are writing or drawing instruments characterized by a graphite core encased in a protective material, commonly wood. They are utilized across various applications, including writing, sketching, and artistic creation.
The following HS codes are relevant to pencils, based on the provided reference material:
- 9608404000: This HS code falls under Chapter 96, which covers miscellaneous manufactured articles. Specifically, it covers ball point pens, felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers, fountain pens, stylograph pens and other pens, duplicating styli, propelling or sliding pencils (for example, mechanical pencils), pen-holders, pencil-holders and similar holders; parts (including caps and clips) of the foregoing articles, other than those of heading 9609. The '4040' subheading specifically refers to propelling or sliding pencils (for example, mechanical pencils) with a mechanical action for extending, or for extending and retracting, the lead.
- 9608408000: Also within Chapter 96, this HS code covers the same category as 9608404000 – ball point pens, etc. – but the '4080' subheading denotes propelling or sliding pencils (for example, mechanical pencils) that are other than those with a mechanical action for lead extension/retraction.
- 9609202000: This HS code is categorized under Chapter 96 and pertains to pencils (other than those pencils of heading 9608), crayons, pencil leads, pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks and tailors' chalks. The '2020' subheading specifically identifies pencil leads, black or colored, not over 1.5 mm in maximum cross-sectional dimension.
Regarding HS code 9609202000, please note the specification of pencil leads not exceeding 1.5 mm in maximum cross-sectional dimension.