HS Code 9608.20 : Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers
MODULE 2: EXTRACTABLE ANSWER (AEO / SPEAKABLE)
EN (Official WCO)
FR (Pending)
ES (Pending)
The 6-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers is 9608.20. Under the 2026 Argentina (Aduana / DGA), the representative MFN general duty rate is 35% [Dirección General de Aduanas Argentina].
MODULE 3: SIGNATURE A: HS DECODE VISUAL HIERARCHY
Chapter 96
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
Heading 9608
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
Subheading .20
.20
Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers
MODULE 4: SIGNATURE B: TARIFF MATRIX
Import Duty Rates by Destination
United StatesUnited KingdomEuropean UnionCanadaMexicoChinaJapanIndiaAustraliaSouth KoreaGermanyBrazilTürkiyeChinese TaipeiVietnamThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaSingaporeSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesSouth AfricaEgyptIsraelChileColombiaPeruPhilippinesPakistanNew ZealandNorwayNigeriaKenyaMoroccoArgentinaEcuadorBangladeshUkraineKazakhstanQatarKuwaitOmanJordanBahrainSri LankaTunisiaGhanaCôte d'IvoireGeorgiaCambodiaPanamaCosta RicaDominican Republic
Argentina (AFIP / DGA Aduana)
9608.20
MODULE 5: ARGENTINA IMPORT DUTY & IVA BREAKDOWN
Notice: Argentine customs clearance, NCM tariff classification, Mercosur CET rates, and 21% IVA are governed by Dirección General de Aduanas (AFIP/DGA). Always verify declarable lines with DGA prior to import.
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MODULE 6: Mandatory Customs Entry Document Matrix
Rule-Derived Customs Entry Package Checklist
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Commercial Invoice
Itemized description, currency, Incoterms, seller/buyer details, and country of origin.
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Packing List & Bill of Lading
Gross/net weight, container/seal numbers, piece count, and transport B/L or Air Waybill.
PREFERENTIAL RULE
Certificate of Origin (If Claiming FTA)
Required only when claiming zero-duty preference under USMCA, KORUS, or GSP.
MODULE 7: Regulatory Compliance & Partner Government Agency (PGA) Flags
Standard Entry
This commodity does not carry mandatory PGA pre-clearance flags under the ACE message set.
MODULE 8: Trade Remedies (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD)
China Section 301 Tariff Status
0% Additional Duty (Exempt)
Section 232 Steel/Aluminum Status
Exempt (Non-Metal Commodity)
EU CBAM Carbon Alert
Not in Scope
MODULE 9: Free Trade Agreements (FTA) & Rules of Origin (RoO)
Browse all preferential trade calculators & compliance tools in our Customs Tools Hub ↗.
| Agreement Code | Trade Agreement / Program | Preferential Rate | Rules of Origin (RoO) Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) | Free | Must meet USMCA Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff shift rules. |
| KR | U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) | Free | Direct shipment from South Korea with KORUS Certificate of Origin. |
| AU | U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement | Free | Wholly obtained or tariff shift rule under US-Australia FTA. |
| A / D | GSP / African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA) | Free | 35% local value-add requirement for beneficiary country origin. |
MODULE 10: Logistics, Freight & Transport Specifications
Standard 20ft Container
~28 CBM / 28,000 kg Payload
Standard 40ft High-Cube
~68 CBM / 28,600 kg Payload
Stowage Factor & Handling
Standard commercial packaging for Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers
MODULE 11: AFIP/DGA Advance Ruling System
Legally binding advance tariff rulings issued by Dirección General de Aduanas Argentina for HS 9608.20.
Query official AFIP/DGA portal:
Search AFIP/DGA Portal for 9608.20 →Argentina AFIP/DGA Tariff Schedule (9608.20)
National line-level (8/10-digit) detail for Argentina (Aduana / DGA): coverage in progress.
Universal 6-digit WCO backbone applied rate: 35%. Confirm the full national commodity code at the official source (Dirección General de Aduanas Argentina).
MODULE 12: Candidate Subheadings & Related Codes
| Related HS Code | Heading Category | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 9608.10 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | Compare Subheading 9608.10 → |
| 9608.30 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | Compare Subheading 9608.30 → |
| 9608.40 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | Compare Subheading 9608.40 → |
| 9608.50 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | Compare Subheading 9608.50 → |
| 9608.60 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | Compare Subheading 9608.60 → |
| 9608.91 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | Compare Subheading 9608.91 → |
| 9608.99 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | Compare Subheading 9608.99 → |
Official Primary Sources & Authority References
Dirección General de Aduanas (AFIP/DGA) ↗
Official Argentina AFIP/DGA tariff schedule, 21% IVA, and Mercosur CET rules.
AFIP/DGA Advance Ruling System ↗
Dirección General de Aduanas official binding advance classification rulings database.
MODULE 14: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Operational Guide
What is the 6-digit WCO tariff classification and United States (USITC HTS) general duty for Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers?
Under WCO Harmonized System 2022 and United States (USITC HTS), Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers is classified under HS 9608.20 (Heading 9608, Chapter 96). The representative AR MFN general duty rate is 35%.
How is HS 9608.20 distinguished within Heading 9608 (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)?
Heading 9608 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. Subheading 9608.20 specifically isolates Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers. Importers must verify whether physical characteristics, processing state, or composition require alternative subheadings under Heading 9608.
What are the primary candidate subheadings related to HS 9608.20?
Related subheadings under Heading 9608 include 9608.10, 9608.30, 9608.40, 9608.50, 9608.60, 9608.91, 9608.99. Classification depends on processing stage, decaffeination, purity, or material form.
What mandatory commercial entry documents are required to import Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers?
Commercial Invoice (detailing Incoterms, currency, and origin), Packing List, Bill of Lading (or Air Waybill), CBP Form 7501 Entry Summary, and a continuous customs bond are required for formal entries.
Can goods under HS 9608.20 enter duty-free under USMCA or Free Trade Agreements?
Yes. Eligible goods originating in Mexico, Canada, South Korea, or Australia enter duty-free under preference SPI codes (P, KR, AU) provided they satisfy Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff-shift rules with a valid Certificate of Origin.
What is the US formal entry threshold for shipments of Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers?
Commercial shipments of Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers with a customs value exceeding $2,500 USD require formal customs entry (CBP Form 7501) and a continuous entry bond. Informal entry applies to lower values.
How can an importer obtain a binding CBP classification ruling for HS 9608.20?
Importers may submit an e-Ruling request under 19 CFR Part 177 to CBP National Commodity Specialist Division (NCSD) to obtain a legally binding tariff classification ruling prior to importation.
What import VAT or sales tax applies to HS 9608.20 in Argentina?
Commercial imports of Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers under HS 9608.20 into Argentina are subject to 21% IVA, assessed on the entered customs value plus applicable duties.
What is the customs duty de minimis threshold in Argentina?
The customs de minimis threshold for import shipments into Argentina is USD $50 (courier). Consignments under this value may qualify for duty-free or simplified entry under local regulations.
Which authority regulates customs entry and tariff classification in Argentina?
Customs declarations, import duty assessments, and AFIP/DGA Advance Ruling System for HS 9608.20 are administered by Dirección General de Aduanas (AFIP/DGA).
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