HS Code 3402Organic surface-active agents (not soap); surface-active, washing (including auxiliary washing) and cleaning preparations, containing soap or not, excluding those of heading no. 3401

What HS code 3402 covers

Heading 3402 is the home of surfactants. These are organic surface-active agents, which are ingredients that help water mix with oil and dirt. The heading also takes detergents and other washing and cleaning preparations. This includes auxiliary washing preparations, which support another step of the wash.

Soap itself does not belong here. A product that is soap, or is used as soap, is placed in heading 3401. Heading 3402 is for the agents and preparations that are not soap, even when a preparation contains some soap.

Some traders write HSN code 3402. The number is the same.

HS 3402 subheadings: 340231 to 340290

Each six-digit code has a short plain label below. The full legal wording is in the table on this page.

• 340231: LABSA, meaning linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acids, and their salts (anionic)
• 340239: all other anionic surfactants
• 340241: cationic surfactants
• 340242: non-ionic surfactants
• 340249: other organic surface-active agents not named elsewhere in 3402
• 340250: washing and cleaning powders, flakes and granules, packed for retail
• 340290: other washing and cleaning preparations, including auxiliary ones, not meant for shops

How to pick the right 3402 subheading

Start by asking what the product is. A single surface-active agent is sorted by its electric charge: anionic, cationic or non-ionic. If the charge does not match any of the three, the catch-all code in the list above is the fit.

Anionic goods need one more check. Ask whether the product is a linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acid or one of its salts. That one test decides the split inside the anionic group.

For these agent codes, retail packing makes no difference. The wording says the goods count whether or not they are put up for retail sale.

A finished washing or cleaning preparation is judged differently. Look at the form and how it is sold. Powders, flakes and granules in shop packs sit apart from other preparations that are not for retail sale. Bulk material sold to a factory usually lands in the second group.

If you are still unsure, try the HS code classifier.

Difference between HS code 3401 and 3402

The split is simple. Heading 3401 is for soap and for products used as soap, such as bars, cakes, liquids and creams for washing skin. Heading 3402 leaves those out and takes the surface-active agents and the washing and cleaning preparations.

Other headings in Chapter 34 are close by. Polishes, creams and scouring pastes for furniture, footwear, floors, glass or metal are in 3405.

A common mistake is to file a cleaning product under 3405 because it scours. Check what the product mainly does. If it is a surface-active washing or cleaning preparation, 3402 is the place to look first.

HS 3402 import and export data

Knowing the code is half the job. The other half is knowing who trades it.

EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily. You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo.