HS Code 9608.60 : Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir
MODULE 2: EXTRACTABLE ANSWER (AEO / SPEAKABLE)
EN (Official WCO)
FR (Pending)
ES (Pending)
The 6-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir is 9608.60. Under the 2026 Australia (ABF), the representative MFN general duty rate is 5.00% [ABF Working Tariff 2026].
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 .60
.60
Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir
MODULE 4: SIGNATURE B: TARIFF MATRIX
Import Duty Rates by Destination
8-DIGIT AU WORKING TARIFF CODE
9608.60.00
ABF Working Tariff Schedule
Customs Authority
Australian Border Force
ICS Electronic Clearance
Advance Ruling System
ABF Tariff Advice System
Part XVI Customs Act 1901
TRACK THIS HS CODE
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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: Australian Trade Remedies (Anti-Dumping Commission) & Safeguards
Anti-Dumping Commission (ADC) Status
Standard Working Tariff
Australian Anti-Dumping Commission [ADC]
MODULE 9: Free Trade Agreements (FTA) & Rules of Origin (RoO)
| Agreement Code | Trade Agreement / Program | Preferential Rate | Rules of Origin (RoO) Requirement |
|---|
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 Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir
MODULE 11: Australian Border Force Tariff Advice Rulings
Legally binding tariff classification decisions issued by the Australian Border Force (ABF), Part XVI Customs Act 1901 for HS 9608.60.
Query official ABF Tariff Advice classification rulings:
Search Official ABF Tariff Advice Database for 9608.60 →ABF Australian 8-Digit Working Tariff Lines (9608.60)
| Commodity Code | Description | Duty Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir | 5.00% | — |
MODULE 12: Candidate Subheadings & Related Codes
| Related HS Code | Heading Category | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 9608.10 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | Compare Subheading 9608.10 → |
| 9608.20 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | Compare Subheading 9608.20 → |
| 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 → |
| 9608.91 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | Compare Subheading 9608.91 → |
| 9608.99 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | Compare Subheading 9608.99 → |
Official Primary Sources & Authority References
Australian Border Force Working Tariff 2026 ↗
Official Australian 8-digit Working Tariff items and General duty rates.
DAFF Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) ↗
Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry biosecurity requirements.
MODULE 14: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Operational Guide
What is the 6-digit WCO tariff classification and Australia (ABF) general duty for Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir?
Under WCO Harmonized System 2022 and Australia (ABF), Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir is classified under HS 9608.60 (Heading 9608, Chapter 96). The representative AU MFN general duty rate is 5.00%.
How is HS 9608.60 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 9608.60 specifically isolates Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir. 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 9608.60?
Related subheadings under Heading 9608 include 9608.10, 9608.20, 9608.30, 9608.40, 9608.50, 9608.91, 9608.99. Classification depends on processing stage, decaffeination, purity, or material form.
What mandatory commercial entry documents are required to import Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir into Australia?
Importers require an ABF Full Import Declaration (FID) via ICS portal, Australian Business Number (ABN), Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, and DAFF biosecurity clearance where applicable.
Can goods under HS 9608.60 enter duty-free under FTAs into Australia?
Yes. Goods originating in US (AUSFTA), China (ChAFTA), Japan (JAEPA), Korea (KAFTA), UK (A-UKFTA), India (AI-ECTA), or CPTPP/RCEP enter Australia duty-free or at concessional rates.
What is the Australian customs duty de minimis threshold for Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir?
Consignments with a Customs Value of AUD $1,000 or less enter Australia duty-free. Low-value B2C imports are subject to 10% GST under vendor registration rules.
How can an importer obtain an ABF Tariff Advice ruling for HS 9608.60 in Australia?
Importers or customs brokers may lodge an application for an ABF Tariff Advice under Part XVI of the Customs Act 1901 for a legally binding tariff classification decision.
How is Australian GST calculated on imports of HS 9608.60?
Australia levies 10.00% GST on the Value of the Taxable Importation = customs value + customs duty + international transport + insurance. There is no US-style MPF/HMF.
What is the ABN and import declaration requirement in Australia?
Commercial importers require an Australian Business Number (ABN) and lodge an ABF Full Import Declaration (FID) via the Integrated Cargo System (ICS).
What DAFF biosecurity (BICON) controls apply to HS 9608.60 in Australia?
Imports must satisfy Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) BICON biosecurity import conditions; food, plant, and animal products require inspection and clearance.
What Australian anti-dumping or countervailing measures apply to HS 9608.60?
Importers must verify whether measures administered by the Anti-Dumping Commission apply to their specific country of origin.
How do Australian FTA preferences (AUSFTA, ChAFTA, CPTPP) apply to HS 9608.60?
Qualifying originating goods from FTA partners enter duty-free or at concessional rates with a valid Certificate/Declaration of Origin meeting the relevant Rules of Origin.
Are there entry processing fees or harbor taxes in Australia?
Beyond customs duty and 10% GST, an Import Processing Charge applies to declarations above the AUD $1,000 low-value threshold; there is no US-style MPF/HMF.
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