Soap; organic surface-active preparations used as soap, skin washing, in bars, cakes, moulded pieces, shapes, liquid or cream, containing soap or not; for retail, paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent
In plain English
This category covers soap and organic cleaning agents intended for personal hygiene or skin washing, available in solid forms like bars and cakes, as well as in liquid or cream formats. It also includes paper, wadding, felt, and nonwoven materials that are impregnated, coated, or covered with these cleaning substances. The classification distinguishes between products designed for toilet use and those that are not, while further separating solid items from liquid or cream preparations packaged for retail sale.
6-digit subheadings (4)
Official HS 2022 subheading texts. National tariff schedules subdivide these further (8-10 digit lines) and set the actual duty rates.
Soap and organic surface-active products; in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, for toilet use (including medicated products)
Soap and organic surface-active products; in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, not for toilet use
Soap; in forms n.e.c. in item no. 3401.11
Organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the form of liquid or cream and put up for retail sale, whether or not containing soap
Chapter 34 classification notes
Frequent misclassification in this chapter
Bar soap (3401) vs. liquid soap (3401.30 from 2022 HS update) — pre-2022 some liquid soaps were misclassified as 3402.
Classification certainty
The 6-digit level shown here is the internationally harmonised layer. Duty rates attach to national 8-10 digit tariff lines, which differ by country — use the duty calculator for lane estimates. For binding certainty, request a ruling from the destination customs authority.
Binding tariff ruling databaseOther headings in Chapter 34
- 3402 — Organic surface-active agents (not soap); surface-active, washing (inc…
- 3403 — Lubricating preparations and those used in oil or grease treatment of …
- 3404 — Waxes; artificial, prepared
- 3405 — Polishes, creams, scouring pastes, powders and similar; in any form, (…
- 3406 — Candles, tapers and the like
- 3407 — Modelling pastes, including those for children; dental wax, impression…