Pens; ball-point, felt tipped, other porous tipped pens; fountain pens, stylograph pens duplicating stylos, propelling or sliding pencils; parts of the foregoing, excluding those of heading no. 9609

9608 (Harmonized System 1992 for 4-digit)

About

Overview This page contains the latest trade data of Pens. In 2022, Pens were the world's 468th most traded product, with a total trade of $7.08B. Between 2021 and 2022 the exports of Pens grew by 11.5%, from $6.35B to $7.08B. Trade in Pens represent 0.03% of total world trade.

Pens are a part of Misc. manufactures. They include Ball point pens, Felt tipped, other porous-tipped pens and markers, Duplicating stylos, pen/pencil holders, pen parts, Fountain pens, stylograph pens, and other pens, nes, Propelling or sliding pencils, Refills for ball point pens, Sets of mixed types of pens/pencils, Pen nibs, and Indian ink drawing pens.

Exports In 2022 the top exporters of Pens  were China ($2.39B), Japan ($1.02B), Germany ($776M), France ($367M), and United States ($327M).

Imports In 2022 the top importers of Pens were United States ($1.17B), Germany ($439M), France ($423M), Mexico ($344M), and China ($274M).

Ranking Pens ranks 295th in the Product Complexity Index (PCI).

Description Ball-point pens are used to write on paper. They are made from a variety of materials, including plastic and metal. Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers are used to write on paper or other surfaces. Fountain pens, stylograph pens, and other pens are used to write on paper. Duplicating stylos are used to copy documents. Propelling or sliding pencils are used for writing on paper. Pen-holders, pencil-holders, and similar holders hold a pen or pencil while it's being used. Parts of these products include the caps that cover the ends of the pen or pencil, as well as clips that attach the cap to the pen or pencil itself.

Latest Data

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The following visualization shows the latest trends on Pens. Countries are shown based on data availability.

For a full breakdown of trade patterns, visit the trend explorer or the product in country profile.

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* Trade values are converted to USD using each month's exchange rate. For December 2023 data, the exchange rate from December 30, 2023 is used.

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Historical Data

Exporters and Importers

Top Origin (2022)China$2.39B
Top Destination (2022)United States$1.17B

In 2022 Pens were the world's 468th most traded product (out of 1,218).

In 2022, the top exporters of Pens were China ($2.39B), Japan ($1.02B), Germany ($776M), France ($367M), and United States ($327M).

In 2022, the top importers of Pens were United States ($1.17B), Germany ($439M), France ($423M), Mexico ($344M), and China ($274M).

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Exporters of Pens (2022)
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Importers of Pens (2022)
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Market Dynamics

Color
Top Origin Growth (2021 -  2022)China$596M
Top Destination Growth (2021 -  2022)United States$160M

Between 2021 and 2022, the exports of Pens grew the fastest in China ($596M), Mexico ($69.4M), United States ($63.5M), India ($61.8M), and Netherlands ($22.7M).

Between 2021 and 2022, the fastest growing importers of Pens were United States ($160M), Mexico ($98.4M), Canada ($39.3M), India ($34.2M), and United Arab Emirates ($33.2M).

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Exporters of Pens (2021 - 2022)

Importers of Pens (2021 - 2022)

Market Concentration

Value

This chart shows the evolution of the market concentration of exports of Pens.

In 2022, market concentration measured using Shannon Entropy, was 3.71. This means that most of the exports of Pens are explained by 13 countries.

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Value of Exports in Pens

Net Trade

TOP NET EXPORTER (2022)China$2.11B
TOP NET IMPORTER (2022)United States$844M

This map shows which countries export or import more of Pens. Each country is colored based on the difference in exports and imports of Pens during 2022.

In 2022, the countries that had a largest trade value in exports than in imports of Pens were China ($2.11B), Japan ($878M), Germany ($337M), India ($159M), and Tunisia ($34.8M).

In 2022, the countries that had a largest trade value in imports than in exports of Pens were United States ($844M), United Kingdom ($198M), Canada ($168M), Australia ($111M), and Russia ($99.9M).

Net Trade (2022)

Disaggregation

Value

In 2022, the world most traded Pens, disaggragated by their HS6 level were Ball point pens ($3.18B), Felt tipped, other porous-tipped pens and... ($2.31B), Fountain pens, stylograph pens, and other... ($444M), Duplicating stylos, pen/pencil holders, pen parts ($383M), and Propelling or sliding pencils ($238M)

HS6 Disaggregation for Pens (2022)
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Country Comparison

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Ranking

This visualization shows the countries that have an important ratio of their trade related to Pens.
It is possible to select the main countries that export or import Pens in the world, or by continent, as well as select the measure of interest.

Top 10 Exporters Countries of Pens by percentage of total exports

Potential Exports

Potential Exports

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TOP EXPORT POTENTIALIndia+ $33.7M
TOP IMPORT POTENTIALGermany+ $7.87M

Pens’s highest export potential is India. With an export gap of $33.7M.  Pens’s highest import potential is Germany with an import gap of $7.87M.

See methodology.

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Product Complexity

Diversification Frontier

Specialization

The Complexity-Relatedness diagram compares the risk and the strategic value of a product's potential export opportunities. Relatedness is predictive of the probability that a country increases its exports in a product. Complexity, is associated with higher levels of income, economic growth potential, lower income inequality, and lower emissions.

Relatedness vs Country Complexity (2022)

Country by Relatedness

The following visualization shows the relatedness of Pens to countries. Higher relatedness values ​​indicate greater knowledge, which predicts a greater probability of exporting that product in the future.

Relative Relatedness by Country (2022)

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