HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3402.41 – Organic surface-active agents; cationic (other than soap), whether or not put up for retail sale
HS code 3402.41 is the 6-digit subheading for organic surface-active agents, cationic (other than soap), whether or not put up for retail sale. It is used for quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), cetrimonium chloride, behentrimonium methosulfate, stearalkonium chloride and benzalkonium chloride.
What HS 3402.41 covers
This HS code covers cationic organic surface-active agents, excluding soap, whether or not put up for retail sale. Cationic surfactants are distinct due to their positive charge and are widely used for their conditioning, antistatic, antimicrobial, and fabric softening properties. They are crucial ingredients in hair conditioners, fabric softeners, disinfectants, and certain industrial processes. Trade in these specialized chemicals is primarily B2B, serving the personal care, textile, and institutional cleaning industries. Exporters are typically countries with sophisticated chemical manufacturing capabilities, while importers are global, driven by demand for specific product functionalities. Key aspects include the specific chemical structure (e.g., quaternary ammonium compounds), performance in formulations, regulatory approvals for antimicrobial claims, and environmental considerations. This category is essential for products requiring surface modification or germicidal action.
- Covers
- Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)
- Cetrimonium chloride
- Behentrimonium methosulfate
- Stearalkonium chloride
- Benzalkonium chloride
- Distearyldimonium chloride
- Examples
- Lonza's Bardac (Benzalkonium Chloride)
- Evonik's Rewoquat (Cetrimonium Chloride)
- Stepan Company's Ammonyx (Stearalkonium Chloride)
- Croda's Incroquat Behenyl TMS (Behentrimonium Methosulfate)
- Clariant's Genamin CTAC (Cetrimonium Chloride)
Codes often confused with 3402.41
Common mistake. This code is often confused with anionic (34023x) or non-ionic (340242) surfactants, as all are surface-active agents, but the 'cationic' nature is the defining characteristic. It can also be mistaken for finished cosmetic preparations (3305) if the product is a blend for retail sale but the primary function is still the surfactant itself.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 340241, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 340241 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 8.1% 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 $255M 37% of world exports
- 2 United States $82M 12% of world exports
- 3 South Korea $73M 10% of world exports
World total: $698M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $52M 8.1% of world imports
- 2 Canada $50M 7.8% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$42M 6.5% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $636M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 3402.41 2
Brazil splits HS 3402.41 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3402.41.10 Oleylamine acetateAcetato de oleilamina
- 3402.41.90 Other cationic 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 3402.41
What is HS code 340241?
HS code 340241 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Organic surface-active agents; cationic (other than soap), whether or not put up for retail sale. This HS code covers cationic organic surface-active agents, excluding soap, whether or not put up for retail sale. Cationic surfactants are distinct due to their positive charge and are widely used for their conditioning, antistatic, antimicrobial, and fabric softening properties. They are crucial ingredients in hair conditioners, fabric softeners, disinfectants, and certain industrial processes. Trade in these specialized chemicals is primarily B2B, serving the personal care, textile, and institutional cleaning industries. Exporters are typically countries with sophisticated chemical manufacturing capabilities, while importers are global, driven by demand for specific product functionalities. Key aspects include the specific chemical structure (e.g., quaternary ammonium compounds), performance in formulations, regulatory approvals for antimicrobial claims, and environmental considerations. This category is essential for products requiring surface modification or germicidal action.
What products fall under HS code 340241?
Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), cetrimonium chloride, behentrimonium methosulfate, stearalkonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, distearyldimonium chloride
What are common misclassifications for HS code 340241?
This code is often confused with anionic (34023x) or non-ionic (340242) surfactants, as all are surface-active agents, but the 'cationic' nature is the defining characteristic. It can also be mistaken for finished cosmetic preparations (3305) if the product is a blend for retail sale but the primary function is still the surfactant itself.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 340241?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 340241 in UN Comtrade data were China ($255M, 37% of world exports), the United States ($82M) and South Korea ($73M). World exports came to about $698M, 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 340241?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 340241 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($52M, 8.1% of world imports), Canada ($50M) and Vietnam (about $42M). World imports came to about $636M, 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 340241 structured?
HS code 340241 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 (41) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 340241?
Brazil splits HS code 340241 into 2 NCM codes: 3402.41.10 (Oleylamine acetate), 3402.41.90 (Other cationic surface-active agents). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.