Sourcing pens and markers from China
Ballpoint pens, rollerballs, markers, fountain pens and propelling pencils from China pay 2% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. Pens must be safe under the general product safety rules, and caps are ventilated against choking to the standard for writing instrument caps. Ink quality, print and packaging decide the rest. Cambridge China Bridge sources promotional and own-label pens.
Ballpoint pens, rollerballs, markers and pencils pay 2% UK duty from China. Ink, cap safety, printing and minimums for promotional and retail pens.
Duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, rolling ball pens, ballpoint pens with replaceable refills, felt-tipped and porous-tipped pens and markers, fountain pens and propelling pencils carried 2% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Sets that combine different writing instruments have their own code, so confirm the commodity code for a boxed set.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling ball pens with liquid ink | 9608 10 10 00 | 2% | None |
| Ballpoint pens with replaceable refill | 9608 10 92 00 | 2% | None |
| Felt-tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers | 9608 20 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Propelling or sliding pencils | 9608 40 00 00 | 2% | None |
Safety and caps
Regulation 5(1) of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 requires products to be safe. For pens, the known hazard is a child inhaling a cap, which is why caps are ventilated to the international standard for writing instrument caps, ISO 11540. Ask for caps to that standard and check the vent on samples.
Pens and markers designed for young children as play items may be treated as toys; see the toy safety guide.
Ink and writing quality
Ink colour, line width, writing length and drying time are what users notice. Specify the refill type and writing length, and test samples for skipping, blobbing and leaking at inspection.
Markers should state whether they are permanent, water-based or dry-wipe, and be tested on the surfaces they are sold for.
Printing and minimums
Promotional pens are printed by pad print, screen print or laser engraving, and minimums are usually per colour and print. Approve a printed sample with the logo in position and colour; the notebooks and stationery guide and the promotional merchandise guide cover the wider range.
Cambridge China Bridge sources promotional and own-label pens and markers, with cap safety, ink tests and print approved before production. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on pens from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, ballpoint pens, rollerballs, markers and propelling pencils carried 2% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Why do pen caps have holes?
To reduce the risk of asphyxiation if a cap is inhaled. Caps are ventilated to ISO 11540, the standard for writing instrument caps.
How do I check pen quality?
Specify the refill and writing length, and test samples for skipping, blobbing and leaking at inspection.
How are promotional pens branded?
By pad print, screen print or laser engraving, with a printed sample approved for logo position and colour.