Heading · Chapter 96 · Section XX, Miscellaneous manufactured articles

HS 9609Pencils (other than pencils of heading 9608), crayons, pencil leads, pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks and tailors chalk

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

Customs duty
10%
6 tariff items
GST now
0%
Import policy
Free
Export policy
Free
Unit
kg
Duty in China
6% to 12%
On Indian goods
Search codesRates as on 19 Oct 2026

Codes under this heading

3 codes. Duty and GST are set on the 8-digit tariff items; open the one that describes your goods.

Codes under this code
CodeDescriptionCustoms dutyGST nowUnit
9609 10 00Pencils and crayons, with leads encased in a sheath10%0%kg
9609 20 00Pencil leads, black or coloured10%0%kg
9609 90Other10%0%kg

Importing into India

Duty is set on each 8-digit tariff item: open one of the codes above. Basic customs duty across its 6 tariff items: 10%. The rules below cover this whole code.

Anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard duty

None in force on this code as on 19 Oct 2026.

Import policy (DGFT ITC(HS)) of its tariff items

  • Free: 6 tariff items

GST

IGST on imports is the GST rate. Rates changed on 22 September 2025.

  • Now 0%.
  • Until 21 September 2025 0% or 12%, depending on the goods.
  • Change: Changed.

The rules that set it now

GST rate rules in force
NotificationGoodsRate
10/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate)Schedule Exempt, S.No. 163Pencils (including propelling or sliding pencils), crayons, pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks and tailor's chalk; Slate pencils and chalk sticksNil

History

GST rate history
PeriodRateNotification
Until 21 Sep 20250% or 12%2/2017-Central Tax (Rate); 1/2017-Central Tax (Rate)
From 22 Sep 20250%10/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate)

Exporting from India

Export duty

Nil. The Second Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act does not list these goods, so no export duty is charged.

Duty drawback (All Industry Rates)

All Industry Rates of duty drawback under this heading
Drawback itemGoodsRateCap
9609Pencils (other than pencils of heading 9608), crayons, pencil leads, pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks and tailors' chalks1.2%—

Drawback items follow the 4-digit heading, not the 8-digit code: claim the one that describes your goods. Rates of notification 77/2023-Customs (N.T.) as amended, in force on 19 Oct 2026.

Export policy (DGFT ITC(HS) Schedule 2) of its tariff items

  • Free: 6 tariff items

China: the same goods (9609)

China shares the first 6 digits with India and splits them into 10-digit codes of its own: 4 in force under 9609. Exporters see what China charges Indian goods; importers see the rebate and licences their Chinese supplier deals with.

China's tariff for these goods
China codeGoodsDuty on Indian goodsMFNImport VATExport rebateLicences
9609.10.10.00Pencils铅笔12%MFN rate (no APTA concession on this line)12%13%13%None
9609.10.20.00Colour pencils颜色铅笔12%MFN rate (no APTA concession on this line)12%13%13%None
9609.20.00.00Pencil leads, black or coloured铅笔芯,黑的或其他颜色的12%MFN rate (no APTA concession on this line)12%13%13%None
9609.90.00.00Crayons, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks蜡笔,图画碳笔,书写或绘画用粉笔6%MFN rate (no APTA concession on this line)6%13%13%None
  • India is a member of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA). With an APTA certificate of origin, Indian goods pay China's APTA rate where the line has one; China applies the lower of that and its provisional rate.
  • The export VAT rebate is what China refunds its own exporters. When China cuts it, Chinese export prices tend to rise.

China's tariff as compiled by HS编码网 from China Customs, the State Council Tariff Commission and the State Taxation Administration. The Chinese is the original.

Nearby codes

Previous9608Ball point pens; felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers; fountain pens; stylograph pens and other pens; duplicating stylos; propelling or sliding pencils; pen holders, pencil holders and similar holders; parts (including caps and clips) of the foregoing articles, other than those of heading 9609One level upChapter 96Miscellaneous manufactured articlesNext9610Slates and boards, with writing or drawing surfaces, whether or not framed

Sources

For information, not a customs ruling. Only notifications published in the Gazette have legal force; confirm the duty with your customs broker or ICEGATE before you price a deal.