# United States tariff lines under HS 9608.40

> The United States tariff splits HS 9608.40 (propelling or sliding pencils) into 2 national lines: 9608.40.40.00 (with a mechanical action for extending, or for extending and retracting, the lead) and 9608.40.80.00 (other). The general (MFN) duty differs by line: 6.6% on 9608.40.40.00 and free on 9608.40.80.00.

Source: https://border.bot/countries/united-states/hs-codes/960840
Last updated: 9 October 2026

[Countries](https://border.bot/countries) / [United States](https://border.bot/countries/united-states) / [Chapter 96](https://border.bot/countries/united-states/hs-codes/96) / [9608.40](https://border.bot/countries/united-states/hs-codes/960840)

## Key facts

- HS subheading: [9608.40](https://border.bot/hs-codes/960840)
- National lines: 2
- Tariff: [United States](https://border.bot/countries/united-states)
- Chapter: 96: Miscellaneous manufactured articles

## United States lines under 9608.40

The United States tariff splits HS 9608.40 (propelling or sliding pencils) into 2 national lines: 9608.40.40.00 (with a mechanical action for extending, or for extending and retracting, the lead) and 9608.40.80.00 (other).

The general (MFN) duty differs by line: 6.6% on 9608.40.40.00 and free on 9608.40.80.00.

- [9608.40.40.00](https://border.bot/countries/united-states/hs-codes/9608404000) Propelling or sliding pencils (for example, mechanical pencils), With a mechanical action for extending, or for extending and retracting, the lead. Duty (MFN): 6.6%
- [9608.40.80.00](https://border.bot/countries/united-states/hs-codes/9608408000) Propelling or sliding pencils (for example, mechanical pencils), Other. Duty (MFN): free

## In other countries

No other national tariff on border.bot has live lines under 9608.40 yet.

- [The Harmonized System text for 9608.40](https://border.bot/hs-codes/960840)

- Previous subheading: [9608.30](https://border.bot/countries/united-states/hs-codes/960830) 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
- Next subheading: [9608.60](https://border.bot/countries/united-states/hs-codes/960860) 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

## Frequently asked questions

### How many national tariff lines does the United States tariff have under HS 9608.40?

The United States tariff splits HS 9608.40 (propelling or sliding pencils) into 2 national lines: 9608.40.40.00 (with a mechanical action for extending, or for extending and retracting, the lead) and 9608.40.80.00 (other).

### What is the duty on HS 9608.40 in the United States?

The general (MFN) duty differs by line: 6.6% on 9608.40.40.00 and free on 9608.40.80.00.

## Sources and updates

The tariff lines for the United States come from border.bot release 1 (edition 2026HTSRev21), read from the publisher’s files, and have been live since 9 October 2026.

The duty rates for the United States come from border.bot release 1 (edition 2026HTSRev21), read from the publisher’s files, and have been live since 9 October 2026.

The trade programmes for the United States come from border.bot release 1 (edition 2026HTSRev21), read from the publisher’s files, and have been live since 9 October 2026.

This page was last updated on 9 October 2026.

Guidance from published tariff data, not a binding ruling. For a decision customs must follow, apply to the destination’s customs authority for a binding tariff ruling.

Official source files:

- https://hts.usitc.gov/reststop/exportList?from=0000000000&to=9999999999&format=CSV&styles=false

Machine-readable: https://border.bot/countries/united-states/hs-codes/960840.json