HS Code:
Ink pads, classified under HS Code 9612.20, are essential stationery products used for stamping purposes in offices, schools, and various industries. These products typically consist of a pad soaked with ink, used in conjunction with rubber stamps to create impressions on paper or other materials. The global trade of ink pads is a niche but steady market, driven by demand in administrative, educational, and creative sectors. The category also includes related products like stamp pads and inked ribbons for typewriters or printers in some classifications.
Total Trade Volume
USD 150 million
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-USMCA)
Shift towards eco-friendly inks
Increased demand for non-toxic, water-based ink pads due to environmental concerns and regulatory pressures, influencing production costs and market preferences.
2021-2022
Digitalization impacting demand
Growth in digital signatures and e-stamping solutions is reducing demand for traditional ink pads in administrative sectors, particularly in developed economies.
2020-2022
Rise in craft and DIY markets
Growing popularity of scrapbooking and personalized crafts has boosted demand for specialty ink pads with diverse colors and textures, especially in North America and Europe.
2019-2022
The European Union introduced stricter regulations on the chemical composition of inks used in ink pads, mandating lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
January 2023
Manufacturers exporting to the EU must adapt formulations, potentially increasing production costs but improving product safety standards.
A new phase of the US-China trade agreement reduced tariffs on stationery products, including ink pads, from 7.5% to 4%, facilitating easier market access for Chinese exporters.
March 2022
This reduction is expected to increase Chinese ink pad exports to the US, intensifying competition for local producers.
Major manufacturers in Japan and Germany unveiled new long-lasting, quick-dry ink pad designs targeting professional and industrial users.
October 2022
These innovations are likely to drive premium product sales, though they may face slower adoption in price-sensitive markets.