9608.20.00.00 - Felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers

This HTS category, 9608.20.00.00, specifically covers felt-tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers. These writing instruments are characterized by their porous tips, typically made of felt, fiber, or similar absorbent material, which draw ink from an internal reservoir. This includes items commonly referred to as highlighters, permanent markers, whiteboard markers, and art markers, where the ink delivery mechanism relies on capillary action through the porous tip.

It is important to distinguish this category from its sibling, 9608.10.00.00, which pertains to ballpoint pens. Ballpoint pens utilize a rolling ball at the tip to dispense ink, a distinct mechanism from the porous tip found in markers and felt-tipped pens. Similarly, this classification differs from 9608.30.00, which encompasses fountain pens, stylograph pens, and other pens that employ different ink delivery systems.

As a leaf node within the HTS, 9608.20.00.00 does not have further subdivisions. Therefore, classification within this heading relies on the fundamental characteristic of the porous tip. The "other porous-tipped pens and markers" component captures a broad range of items that function similarly to felt-tipped pens, ensuring that instruments with equivalent design and application are appropriately classified under this subheading.