HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3401.20 – Soap; in forms n.e.c. in item no. 3401.11
HS code 3401.20 is the 6-digit subheading for soap, in forms n.e.c. in item no. 3401.11. It is used for soap flakes, soap powder (bulk), soap granules, soap noodles and industrial soap pellets.
What HS 3401.20 covers
This HS code covers soap in forms not specifically mentioned in 340111 or 340119, essentially acting as a catch-all for other presentations of soap. This typically includes soap in flakes, granules, powders, or other bulk forms not molded into bars or cakes, and not specifically for toilet use or impregnated into materials. Trade in these products is often industrial, supplying manufacturers of detergents, textiles, or other cleaning products with raw soap materials. Exporters are usually countries with large chemical industries and soap manufacturing capabilities, while importers are industrial users globally. Key aspects include the purity of the soap, its chemical composition, and its suitability for further processing or specific industrial applications. This code is crucial for the trade of intermediate soap products.
- Covers
- Soap flakes
- Soap powder (bulk)
- Soap granules
- Soap noodles
- Industrial soap pellets
- Bulk liquid soap concentrate (not for retail skin washing)
- Examples
- Ivory Snow Laundry Detergent (flakes)
- Stepan Company Soap Noodles
- Procter & Gamble Bulk Soap Pellets
- Kao Industrial Soap Powder
- BASF Soap Flakes
Codes often confused with 3401.20
Common mistake. This code can be confused with organic surface-active agents (3402) if the product's 'soap' identity is ambiguous, or with retail liquid soaps (340130) if it's a liquid form but not for skin washing and retail sale. The key is that it must be 'soap' and not fit 340111 or 340119.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 340120, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 340120 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 6.8% 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 Indonesia $601M 28% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $296M 14% of world exports
- 3 Poland $174M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $2.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $145M 6.8% of world imports
- 2 Germany $114M 5.3% of world imports
- 3 India $111M 5.2% of world imports
World total: $2.1B 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 3401.20 2
Brazil splits HS 3401.20 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
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 3401.20
What is HS code 340120?
HS code 340120 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Soap; in forms n.e.c. in item no. 3401.11. This HS code covers soap in forms not specifically mentioned in 340111 or 340119, essentially acting as a catch-all for other presentations of soap. This typically includes soap in flakes, granules, powders, or other bulk forms not molded into bars or cakes, and not specifically for toilet use or impregnated into materials. Trade in these products is often industrial, supplying manufacturers of detergents, textiles, or other cleaning products with raw soap materials. Exporters are usually countries with large chemical industries and soap manufacturing capabilities, while importers are industrial users globally. Key aspects include the purity of the soap, its chemical composition, and its suitability for further processing or specific industrial applications. This code is crucial for the trade of intermediate soap products.
What products fall under HS code 340120?
Soap flakes, soap powder (bulk), soap granules, soap noodles, industrial soap pellets, bulk liquid soap concentrate (not for retail skin washing)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 340120?
This code can be confused with organic surface-active agents (3402) if the product's 'soap' identity is ambiguous, or with retail liquid soaps (340130) if it's a liquid form but not for skin washing and retail sale. The key is that it must be 'soap' and not fit 340111 or 340119.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 340120?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 340120 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($601M, 28% of world exports), Malaysia ($296M) and Poland ($174M). World exports came to about $2.2B, 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 340120?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 340120 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($145M, 6.8% of world imports), Germany ($114M) and India ($111M). World imports came to about $2.1B, 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 340120 structured?
HS code 340120 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 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 340120?
Brazil splits HS code 340120 into 2 NCM codes: 3401.20.10 (Toilet soap in other forms), 3401.20.90 (Non-toilet soap in other forms). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.