Mechanical pencil imports in the United States: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, the United States imported mechanical pencil worth $87.4 million (2.1 thousand tonnes). That makes it the largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 191 countries. Value rose 15% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $87.4M | 2.1K t |
| 2023 | $76.3M | 2.0K t |
| 2022 | $74.1M | 1.9K t |
| 2021 | $58.5M | 1.2K t |
| 2020 | $56.1M | 1.4K t |
| 2019 | $76.1M | 2.3K t |
| 2018 | $81.0M | 2.4K t |
| 2017 | $83.2M | 2.5K t |
Where the United States imports mechanical pencil from
Most of the value came from Mexico (38%), China (21%), Japan (15%). Among the main suppliers, Vietnam grew fastest (+175% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $33.6M | 38% |
| China | $18.8M | 22% |
| Japan | $12.9M | 15% |
| France | $8.3M | 9.5% |
| Vietnam | $5.8M | 6.6% |
| India | $1.9M | 2.2% |
| Germany | $1.3M | 1.5% |
| Thailand | $1.1M | 1.2% |
| Taiwan | $1.0M | 1.2% |
| South Korea | $758K | 0.9% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $40.77 per kg, 68% above the world average of $24.24. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Mechanical pencil exports from the United States
The United States exported $15.4 million of mechanical pencil in 2024 (264 tonnes). It ranks 6th of 103 countries for exports of this product. One buyer market dominates: Mexico accounted for 89% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $13.7M | 89% |
| Hong Kong | $511K | 3.3% |
| Canada | $288K | 1.9% |
| United Kingdom | $200K | 1.3% |
| Czech Republic | $188K | 1.2% |
| France | $71K | 0.5% |
| Australia | $59K | 0.4% |
| Nicaragua | $55K | 0.4% |
| Israel | $33K | 0.2% |
| United Arab Emirates | $31K | 0.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States mechanical pencil imports (HS 9608.40): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 9608.40: Pencils: propelling or sliding.
Common questions
What is the value of mechanical pencil imported by the United States?
The United States imported mechanical pencil worth $87.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 1st of 191 countries worldwide, with 31% of world imports. The value was up 15% on 2023.
Which countries supply mechanical pencil to the United States?
Mexico was the largest supplier with 38% of the value ($33.6 million), followed by China (21%) and Japan (15%). The top three together account for 75%, out of 44 supplier countries in total. Vietnam grew fastest among the top ten, up 175% on the year.
What is the average import price of mechanical pencil per kg?
The average declared import value was about $40.77 per kg in 2024, 68% above the world average of $24.24 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of mechanical pencil to the United States changed since 2017?
Imports went from $83.2 million in 2017 to $87.4 million in 2024, an increase of 5%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $74.1 million a year.
Does the United States also export mechanical pencil?
Yes. The United States exported $15.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mexico, Hong Kong and Canada. On balance the United States is a net importer of this product, by about $72.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for mechanical pencil?
The HS code for mechanical pencil is subheading 9608.40. It sits in HS chapter 96 (miscellaneous manufactured articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 9608 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for the United States. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for the United States
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.