HS Code 9608.60 : Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir
MODULE 2: EXTRACTABLE ANSWER (AEO / SPEAKABLE)
Tariff data verified: July 2026
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 Netherlands (Douane / EU TARIC), the representative MFN general duty rate is 0.4¢ each + 2.7% [Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs)].
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
United StatesUnited KingdomEuropean UnionCanadaMexicoChinaJapanIndiaAustraliaSouth KoreaGermanyNetherlandsBrazilTürkiyeChinese TaipeiVietnamThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaSingaporeSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesSouth AfricaEgyptIsraelChileColombiaPeruPhilippinesPakistanNew ZealandNorwayNigeriaKenyaMoroccoArgentinaEcuadorBangladeshUkraineKazakhstanQatarKuwaitOmanJordanBahrainSri LankaTunisiaGhanaCôte d'IvoireGeorgiaCambodiaPanamaCosta RicaDominican Republic
Netherlands (2026 Dutch Customs Tariff (Douane Nederland / EU TARIC))
9608.60
Representative General Duty
0.4¢ each + 2.7%
Verified July 2026 · Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Authority)
MODULE 5: NETHERLANDS IMPORT DUTY & 21% BTW (STANDARD IMPORT VAT) BREAKDOWN
Import VAT / Tax Rate
21% BTW (Standard Import VAT)
Local Tax Rate
De Minimis Threshold
€150.00 duty-free threshold (VAT applies to all commercial imports)
Customs Exemption Limit
Notice: Netherlands customs entry, tariff classification, MFN duty rates, and 21% BTW (Standard Import VAT) are governed by Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Authority). Always verify declarable lines with Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Authority) 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: NETHERLANDS Trade Remedies & Safeguards
Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Authority) Anti-Dumping / Trade Defence
Standard 2026 Dutch Customs Tariff (Douane Nederland / EU TARIC)
Steel & Commodity Safeguards
Exempt (Non-Steel Commodity)
Regulatory Compliance Status
Standard Statutory Clearance
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFN | WCO Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) Status | Standard MFN Rate | Applies to all WTO member states for Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir. |
| FTA | Netherlands Preferential & Regional Trade Agreements | Free / Concessional | Subject to official Certificate of Origin & Rules of Origin (RoO) requirements. |
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: European Binding Tariff Information (EBTI / Douane Nederland)
Legally binding tariff classification decisions valid across the EU (administered in NL by Douane Nederland) for HS 9608.60.
Query the official European Commission EBTI database (applies to Dutch imports):
Search Dutch Douane / EU TARIC Database for 9608.60 →EU TARIC & Dutch Declarable Commodity Lines (9608.60)
National line-level (8/10-digit) detail for Netherlands (Douane / EU TARIC): coverage in progress.
Universal 6-digit WCO backbone applied rate: 0.4¢ each + 2.7%. Confirm the full national commodity code at the official source (Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs)).
MODULE 12: Candidate Subheadings & Related Codes
| Related HS Code | Heading Category | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 9608.10 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | HS 9608.10 Netherlands Duty & Entry Rules → |
| 9608.20 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | HS 9608.20 Netherlands Duty & Entry Rules → |
| 9608.30 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | HS 9608.30 Netherlands Duty & Entry Rules → |
| 9608.40 | Subheading under Heading 9608 | HS 9608.40 Netherlands Duty & Entry Rules → |
Official Primary Sources & Authority References
Netherlands (2026 Dutch Customs Tariff (Douane Nederland / EU TARIC)) ↗
Official Netherlands tariff schedule and MFN duty rates — administered by Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Authority).
Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Authority) — Advance Tariff Ruling ↗
Binding tariff classification precedents administered by EU Binding Tariff Information (Dutch Douane / EBTI).
MODULE 14: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Operational Guide
What is the 6-digit WCO tariff classification and United States (USITC HTS) general duty for Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir?
Under WCO Harmonized System 2022 and United States (USITC HTS), Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir is classified under HS 9608.60 (Heading 9608, Chapter 96). The representative NL MFN general duty rate is 0.4¢ each + 2.7%.
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?
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 9608.60 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 Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir?
Commercial shipments of Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir 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 9608.60?
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.
How is the specific duty rate (0.4¢ each + 2.7%) calculated for HS 9608.60?
HS 9608.60 carries a quantity-based specific or compound duty rate (0.4¢ each + 2.7%). Customs duties are calculated based on physical net weight/volume rather than purely invoice ad valorem value.
What import VAT or sales tax applies to HS 9608.60 in Netherlands?
Commercial imports of Refills for ball point pens, comprising the ball point and ink reservoir under HS 9608.60 into Netherlands are subject to 21% BTW (Standard Import VAT), assessed on the entered customs value plus applicable duties.
What is the customs duty de minimis threshold in Netherlands?
The customs de minimis threshold for import shipments into Netherlands is €150.00 duty-free threshold (VAT applies to all commercial imports). Consignments under this value may qualify for duty-free or simplified entry under local regulations.
Which authority regulates customs entry and tariff classification in Netherlands?
Customs declarations, import duty assessments, and EU Binding Tariff Information (Dutch Douane / EBTI) for HS 9608.60 are administered by Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Authority).
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