Product classification
HS code for Anionic surfactant: 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.
Classification of anionic surfactant under HS 3402.39
Anionic surfactants are classified under HS code 3402.39 when they are organic surface-active agents (other than soap) that do not fall under the specific subheadings for linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acids (LAS) and their salts. These chemicals are characterized by a negatively charged hydrophilic group. They are widely used in industrial and household cleaning formulations due to their ability to reduce surface tension and emulsify fats. Classification depends on the chemical structure of the active agent and whether the product is presented as a pure substance, a mixture, or a preparation put up for retail sale. To fall under 3402.39, the substance must exhibit surface-active properties, meaning it must be capable of forming a monomolecular layer at the air-water interface and reducing the surface tension of water to a specific level (usually 45 mN/m or less) at a concentration of 0.5% at 20 degrees Celsius. This specific subheading is a residual category for anionic agents that are not the more common linear alkylbenzene sulphonates.
- Covers
- Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES)
- Alpha olefin sulfonates (AOS)
- Secondary alkane sulfonates (SAS)
- Fatty alcohol sulfates
- Anionic emulsifiers for industrial use
- Sulfosuccinates used in detergents
- Also under 3402.39
- 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. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 3402.31, which is specifically for linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acids and their salts. Importers often confuse these two because both are anionic surfactants. Additionally, if the surfactant is mixed with other ingredients and put up for retail sale as a finished detergent, it should be classified under 3402.50 or 3402.90 rather than the chemical-specific codes for surface-active agents.
Top exporters and importers of HS 340239 (the code used for anionic surfactant), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340239 (the code used for anionic surfactant) 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.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 340239, not only anionic surfactant.
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 anionic surfactant
Brazil splits HS 3402.39 into 4 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3402.39.10Sodium dibutylnaphthalene sulphate
- 3402.39.20Sodium N-methyl-N-oleyltaurate
- 3402.39.30Sodium secondary alkylsulphonate
- 3402.39.90Other anionic surface-active agents
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about anionic surfactant
What is the HS code for Anionic surfactant?
The HS code for Anionic surfactant is 340239 (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). The HS code for anionic organic surface-active agents (excluding LAS) is 3402.39.
How do I classify Anionic surfactant for customs?
Anionic surfactant is classified under HS code 340239 — 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 is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include common household soap?
No, soap is specifically classified under heading 3401. Heading 3402 is reserved for synthetic organic surface-active agents and preparations.
Which countries are the top exporters of anionic surfactant (HS 340239)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340239 (the code used for anionic surfactant) 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 anionic surfactant (HS 340239)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 340239 (the code used for anionic surfactant) 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.
Is the HS code for Anionic surfactant the same in all countries?
The base HS code 340239 for Anionic surfactant is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for anionic surfactant in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 340239 into 4 NCM codes, so the right one for anionic surfactant depends on the product's details: 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).