HS CODE 9608.10.00 Ball Point Pens, HS CODE 9608.10.00 Ball Point Pens
Writing Instruments — EAC Customs & Trade Guide
Kenya | Uganda | Tanzania | Rwanda | Burundi | DRC | Somalia
1. HS Code Overview
HS Code 9608.10.00 covers ball point pens — one of the most universally traded stationery items globally. Ball point pens use oil-based ink dispensed through a rotating ball at the pen tip. This classification covers pens with or without a cap, single-colour or multi-colour, and regardless of whether the pen is refillable or disposable.
| Level | Code | Description |
| Chapter | 96 | Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles |
| Heading | 9608 | Ball point pens; felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers; fountain pens; duplicating styli; propelling or sliding pencils; pen-holders; pencil-holders and similar holders; parts thereof |
| Subheading | 9608.10 | Ball point pens |
| Tariff Line | 9608.10.00 | Single EAC tariff line for ball point pens |
2. Related HS Codes
| HS Code | Description | Distinction |
| 9608.10.00 | Ball point pens | This code — oil-based rotating ball tip |
| 9608.20.00 | Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens | Markers, highlighters, felt pens |
| 9608.30.00 | Fountain pens and stylograph pens | Ink-reservoir dip pens — premium writing instruments |
| 9608.40.00 | Propelling or sliding pencils | Mechanical pencils |
| 9608.60.00 | Refill cartridges for ball point pens | Ink refills sold separately |
| 9608.91.00 | Pen nibs and nib points | Tips and writing elements sold separately |
| 9608.99.00 | Other — pen holders, pencil holders, parts | Accessories and parts not elsewhere specified |
| 8443.99 | Printer cartridges | Digital printing supplies — not manual writing instruments |
3. EAC Customs Treatment
| EAC Partner State | Import Duty | VAT | Notes |
| Kenya | 25% | 16% | Major import volumes — primarily from China and India |
| Uganda | 25% | 18% | Uganda Revenue Authority monitors for undervaluation |
| Tanzania | 25% | 18% | TBS standard required — compliance inspection at port |
| Rwanda | 25% | 18% | Mostly imported via Mombasa-Kigali route |
| Burundi | 25% | 18% | Significant informal cross-border trade |
| DRC | 25% | 16% | Large market — formal and informal imports |
| Somalia | Varies | Varies | Largely informal supply chains |
4. EAC Market Context
4.1 Education Sector Demand
The EAC has a combined school-age population of over 100 million children, making ball point pens one of the highest-volume imported stationery items. Government back-to-school procurement programs in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda generate massive demand. Procurement under these programs may attract duty exemptions — consult the relevant treasury or education ministry.
4.2 Key Suppliers and Brands
BIC (France/South Africa), Buromax, Cello (India), and numerous Chinese OEM manufacturers dominate EAC pen imports. Nairobi’s Industrial Area hosts several stationery importers and distributors serving the broader EAC market. BIC has a regional assembly operation in South Africa that exports to EAC under SADC-EAC trade arrangements.
4.3 Counterfeit Pens
Counterfeit BIC, Stabilo, and other branded pens are common in EAC markets. These frequently fail performance standards (ink flow, tip durability) and may use toxic inks. KEBS, TBS, and UNBS maintain standards for ball point pens that legitimate importers must meet. Customs officers should watch for branded pens with poor packaging quality, unusual country of manufacture claims, or prices well below known brand-value thresholds.
5. Classification Notes
- A pen set (ball point + highlighter + pencil in a gift box) is a composite article — classify by the essential character, typically the ball point pen if it is the primary item
- Stylus pens for touchscreens without a ball point ink mechanism do NOT classify here — check Chapter 84 or 85
- Pen refills (ink cartridges sold separately) classify under 9608.60.00, not 9608.10.00
- Promotional pens with company logos are still classified under 9608.10.00 — the printing does not change the classification
Prepared for EAC Customs, Heritage Officers & Trade Practitioners | February 2026