HS Code:
The 'Balls for ball point pens' category, classified under HS Code 9608.91, pertains to the small spherical components used in ballpoint pens for ink distribution. These balls, typically made of materials like steel, tungsten carbide, or ceramic, are critical to the functionality of ballpoint pens. This category represents a niche but essential segment of the global stationery and writing instruments market, with trade driven by manufacturing hubs and consumer demand for affordable writing tools. The trade of these components is influenced by the concentration of pen manufacturing in specific regions and the global supply chain dynamics of raw materials and finished goods.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $150 million USD
Data from 2022
Source
UN Comtrade Database and ITC Trade Map
$45 million USD
30% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$30 million USD
20% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$25 million USD
17% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$15 million USD
10% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$10 million USD
7% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
5.2% ad valorem
Highest Rate
12% (imposed by certain developing countries to protect domestic industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Japan EPA or within ASEAN)
Shift towards sustainable materials
Manufacturers are exploring eco-friendly materials for balls, such as recycled metals, to meet consumer demand for sustainable products, potentially increasing production costs but opening new market segments.
2021-2023
Automation in manufacturing
Increased adoption of automated production lines for precision manufacturing of pen balls has reduced costs and improved quality, benefiting large-scale producers in countries like Japan and China.
2020-2022
Rising demand in emerging markets
Growing literacy rates and educational initiatives in regions like Africa and South Asia have boosted demand for affordable writing instruments, indirectly increasing the trade of pen components.
2019-2023
The European Union introduced new regulations on the use of heavy metals in pen components, requiring exporters to comply with REACH standards for tungsten and steel balls.
January 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters to the EU market, potentially shifting trade flows towards non-regulated markets or incentivizing innovation in alternative materials.
Several Chinese manufacturers announced investments in expanding production facilities for ballpoint pen components, aiming to capture a larger share of the global market.
March 2022
Likely to intensify competition and drive down prices, benefiting buyers but challenging smaller producers in other regions.
A new bilateral trade agreement between Japan and India reduced tariffs on stationery components, including balls for ballpoint pens, facilitating smoother trade.
September 2022
Expected to increase Japanese exports to India, strengthening Japan's position as a leading supplier in the region.