HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3402.39 – Anionic organic surface-active agents (other than soap); other than linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acids and their salts, whether or not put up for retail sale
HS code 3402.39 is the 6-digit subheading for anionic organic surface-active agents (other than soap), other than linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acids and their salts, whether or not put up for retail sale. It is used for sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), alpha-olefin sulfonates (AOS), sodium cocoate and sodium cocoyl isethionate.
What HS 3402.39 covers
This HS code covers other anionic organic surface-active agents, excluding linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acids and their salts, whether or not put up for retail sale. This is a broad and diverse category of chemical raw materials essential for a vast array of products, including detergents, shampoos, body washes, industrial cleaners, and emulsifiers. Trade is predominantly B2B, involving chemical producers, formulators, and manufacturers across various industries. Exporters are typically countries with advanced chemical industries and access to diverse raw materials, while importers are global, reflecting the widespread use of these surfactants. Key considerations include the specific chemical structure, performance characteristics (e.g., foaming, emulsifying, wetting), biodegradability, and regulatory compliance for different applications. This code is vital for the innovation and production of countless consumer and industrial products.
- Covers
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
- Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
- Alpha-olefin sulfonates (AOS)
- Sodium cocoate
- Sodium cocoyl isethionate
- Ammonium lauryl sulfate
- Examples
- BASF's Texapon N 70 (SLES)
- Croda's Crodasinic LS30 (Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate)
- Evonik's Rewopol SBL 203 (Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate)
- Stepan Company's Alpha-Step MC-48 (AOS)
- Solvay's Miranol Ultra L 32 (Sodium Lauroamphoacetate)
Codes often confused with 3402.39
Common mistake. This code is frequently confused with 340231 (LABSA and its salts) due to both being anionic surfactants, but the specific chemical identity is the differentiator. It can also be mistaken for non-anionic surfactants (340241, 340242, 340249) if the ionic charge is not correctly identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 340239, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 340239 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 5.4% 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 China $983M 27% of world exports
- 2 Germany $522M 14% of world exports
- 3 United States $299M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $3.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $194M 5.4% of world imports
- 2 France $178M 5.0% of world imports
- 3 United States $174M 4.9% of world imports
World total: $3.6B 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 3402.39 4
Brazil splits HS 3402.39 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3402.39.10 Sodium dibutylnaphthalene sulphateDibutilnaftalenossulfato de sódio
- 3402.39.20 Sodium N-methyl-N-oleyltaurateN-Metil-N-oleiltaurato de sódio
- 3402.39.30 Sodium secondary alkylsulphonateAlquilsulfonato de sódio, secundário
- 3402.39.90 Other anionic surface-active agentsOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 34.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3402.39
What is HS code 340239?
HS code 340239 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Anionic organic surface-active agents (other than soap); other than linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acids and their salts, whether or not put up for retail sale. This HS code covers other anionic organic surface-active agents, excluding linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acids and their salts, whether or not put up for retail sale. This is a broad and diverse category of chemical raw materials essential for a vast array of products, including detergents, shampoos, body washes, industrial cleaners, and emulsifiers. Trade is predominantly B2B, involving chemical producers, formulators, and manufacturers across various industries. Exporters are typically countries with advanced chemical industries and access to diverse raw materials, while importers are global, reflecting the widespread use of these surfactants. Key considerations include the specific chemical structure, performance characteristics (e.g., foaming, emulsifying, wetting), biodegradability, and regulatory compliance for different applications. This code is vital for the innovation and production of countless consumer and industrial products.
What products fall under HS code 340239?
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), alpha-olefin sulfonates (AOS), sodium cocoate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, ammonium lauryl sulfate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 340239?
This code is frequently confused with 340231 (LABSA and its salts) due to both being anionic surfactants, but the specific chemical identity is the differentiator. It can also be mistaken for non-anionic surfactants (340241, 340242, 340249) if the ionic charge is not correctly identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 340239?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 340239 in UN Comtrade data were China ($983M, 27% of world exports), Germany ($522M) and the United States ($299M). World exports came to about $3.7B, 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 340239?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 340239 in UN Comtrade data were China ($194M, 5.4% of world imports), France ($178M) and the United States ($174M). World imports came to about $3.6B, 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 340239 structured?
HS code 340239 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (34) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (39) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 340239?
Brazil splits HS code 340239 into 4 NCM codes: 3402.39.10 (Sodium dibutylnaphthalene sulphate), 3402.39.20 (Sodium N-methyl-N-oleyltaurate), 3402.39.30 (Sodium secondary alkylsulphonate), 3402.39.90 (Other anionic surface-active agents). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.