HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3401.11 – 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)
HS code 3401.11 is the 6-digit subheading for 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). It is used for bar soap for bathing, medicated bar soap, facial cleansing bars, soap-impregnated washcloths and hotel amenity bar soaps.
What HS 3401.11 covers
This HS code covers soap and organic surface-active products specifically for toilet use, presented in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, or as paper, wadding, felt, and nonwovens impregnated, coated, or covered with soap or detergent. This includes medicated soaps designed for personal hygiene. It's a fundamental category in the personal care industry, with global trade driven by universal hygiene needs. Major manufacturers and exporters are often multinational consumer goods corporations, while importers include virtually all countries, from developing nations seeking basic hygiene products to developed markets demanding specialized or luxury soaps. Key factors in this trade include brand recognition, ingredient formulations (e.g., moisturizing, antibacterial), packaging innovations, and compliance with cosmetic and health regulations. The market sees continuous innovation in terms of skin benefits and sustainable ingredients.
- Covers
- Bar soap for bathing
- Medicated bar soap
- Facial cleansing bars
- Soap-impregnated washcloths
- Hotel amenity bar soaps
- Exfoliating soap bars
- Examples
- Dove Beauty Bar
- Safeguard Antibacterial Soap
- Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
- Irish Spring Bar Soap
- Dial Gold Bar Soap
Codes often confused with 3401.11
Common mistake. This code is frequently confused with 340119 (soap not for toilet use) due to similar forms, but the 'for toilet use' distinction is critical. It can also be mistaken for liquid soaps (340130) if the product is a solid concentrate intended to become liquid upon use.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 340111, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 340111 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $480M 12% of world exports
- 2 United States $357M 9.1% of world exports
- 3 Indonesia $335M 8.5% of world exports
World total: $3.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $601M 14% of world imports
- 2 Germany $295M 6.9% of world imports
- 3 Canada $249M 5.8% of world imports
World total: $4.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM codes for 3401.11 2
Brazil splits HS 3401.11 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3401.11.10 Medicated toilet soap in bars, cakes or shapesSabões medicinais
- 3401.11.90 Other toilet soap and surfactant bars or sheetsOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 34.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3401.11
What is HS code 340111?
HS code 340111 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: 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). This HS code covers soap and organic surface-active products specifically for toilet use, presented in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, or as paper, wadding, felt, and nonwovens impregnated, coated, or covered with soap or detergent. This includes medicated soaps designed for personal hygiene. It's a fundamental category in the personal care industry, with global trade driven by universal hygiene needs. Major manufacturers and exporters are often multinational consumer goods corporations, while importers include virtually all countries, from developing nations seeking basic hygiene products to developed markets demanding specialized or luxury soaps. Key factors in this trade include brand recognition, ingredient formulations (e.g., moisturizing, antibacterial), packaging innovations, and compliance with cosmetic and health regulations. The market sees continuous innovation in terms of skin benefits and sustainable ingredients.
What products fall under HS code 340111?
Bar soap for bathing, medicated bar soap, facial cleansing bars, soap-impregnated washcloths, hotel amenity bar soaps, exfoliating soap bars
What are common misclassifications for HS code 340111?
This code is frequently confused with 340119 (soap not for toilet use) due to similar forms, but the 'for toilet use' distinction is critical. It can also be mistaken for liquid soaps (340130) if the product is a solid concentrate intended to become liquid upon use.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 340111?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 340111 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($480M, 12% of world exports), the United States ($357M) and Indonesia ($335M). World exports came to about $3.9B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 340111?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 340111 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($601M, 14% of world imports), Germany ($295M) and Canada ($249M). World imports came to about $4.3B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 340111 structured?
HS code 340111 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (34) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (11) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 340111?
Brazil splits HS code 340111 into 2 NCM codes: 3401.11.10 (Medicated toilet soap in bars, cakes or shapes), 3401.11.90 (Other toilet soap and surfactant bars or sheets). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.