Heading 3401

Soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for use as soap, in the form of bars, cakes, molded pieces or shapes, whether or not containing soap; 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; paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent

6 declarable lines

Heading 3401 covers soap and organic surface-active products and preparations used for washing, including bar soap, liquid or cream skin cleansers put up for retail sale, and paper, wadding, felt or nonwovens coated with soap or detergent. It splits first by physical form: bars, cakes and molded pieces under 3401.11 and 3401.19, soap in other forms under 3401.20, and retail liquid or cream skin-wash preparations under 3401.30. Most lines in this heading enter free of duty, with the 4% general (MFN) rate applying only to retail skin-wash products containing an aromatic or modified aromatic surface-active agent.

Products in this heading

Castile soap bars for toilet use
Medicated toilet soap bars
Molded or cake laundry soap
Soap flakes, chips or powder in bulk
Liquid or cream facial cleanser sold at retail
Liquid hand wash or body wash put up for retail sale
Nonwoven wipes impregnated with soap or detergent

How to choose the right subheading

Physical form: bar, cake, molded piece or shape versus liquid, cream, powder or other form.
End use: toilet use versus non-toilet use such as laundry or industrial washing.
Packaging: whether the product is put up for retail sale.
Chemical content: whether a retail skin-wash preparation contains an aromatic or modified aromatic surface-active agent.
Whether the product is a soap or a soap-coated paper, wadding, felt or nonwoven material.

Often confused with

Synthetic detergent laundry powder or dish liquid
Surface-active preparations and washing or cleaning preparations not of heading 3401 fall in 3402.
Heading 3402
Barrier creams and skin lotions packaged as cosmetics
Moisturizers and cosmetic creams are not primarily washing preparations; classification depends on composition and use.
Scouring powders and abrasive cleaning preparations
Scouring pastes and powders are named in heading 3405.
Heading 3405
Waterless hand cleaning pastes sold as modeling compounds
Modeling pastes and similar preparations for children's amusement are covered by heading 3407.
Heading 3407
Lip balm and cold creams
These are skin-care products rather than soap or skin-washing preparations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for a bar of toilet soap?

Toilet soap in bars or cakes is classified under 3401.11.50.00 for other toilet-use products, or 3401.11.10.00 if it is Castile soap. Both carry a general (MFN) rate of Free.

What is the duty on a retail facial cleanser?

If the liquid or cream skin wash contains an aromatic or modified aromatic surface-active agent, it falls under 3401.30.10.00 at a general (MFN) rate of 4%. Otherwise it is classified under 3401.30.50.00, which is Free.

How do I classify soap in powder or flake form?

Soap that is not in bars, cakes or molded shapes is classified under 3401.20.00.00, which carries a general (MFN) rate of Free. Bar and molded forms for non-toilet use go under 3401.19.00.00, also Free.

Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.