Product classification
HS code for Auxiliary washing agent: 3402.90
Washing and cleaning preparations, surface-active, whether or not containing soap (excluding those of heading no. 3401), including auxiliary washing preparations, not for retail sale.
Classification of auxiliary washing agent under HS 3402.90
Auxiliary washing agents are classified under HS code 3402.90. Chapter 34 deals with organic surface-active agents and washing preparations. Heading 3402 covers these agents and preparations, whether or not they contain soap, excluding those of heading 3401. Subheading 3402.90 is a residual category for preparations that are not put up for retail sale. These products are typically used in industrial or commercial settings as additives to enhance the cleaning process, such as wetting agents, emulsifiers, or specialized degreasers. They differ from standard detergents in that they are often concentrated or formulated for specific industrial applications rather than general household use. The classification depends on the chemical composition as a surface-active preparation and its packaging for non-retail distribution. According to the Explanatory Notes to heading 3402, auxiliary preparations are used for soaking, bleaching, or softening clothes or other materials during the washing process.
- Covers
- Industrial textile scouring agents
- Wetting agents for industrial cleaning
- Commercial laundry boosters and softeners
- Emulsifiers used in industrial degreasing
- Pre-soaking preparations for commercial use
- Also under 3402.90
- Ecolab Apex
- Diversey Suma
- Zep Industrial Purple Degreaser
- JohnsonDiversey Taski
- NCL Speed Stripper
Codes often confused with 3402.90
Common mistake. A common misclassification occurs with HS code 3402.20, which is for preparations put up for retail sale. If the auxiliary washing agent is packaged for the general consumer market, it must be classified under 3402.20. Another error involves HS code 3824.99, which is a general category for chemical products. However, because 3402 specifically covers surface-active preparations, it is the more specific and correct heading. Finally, products that are purely soap should be classified under 3401 rather than 3402.
Top exporters and importers of HS 340290 (the code used for auxiliary washing agent), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340290 (the code used for auxiliary washing agent) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 6.3% 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 340290, not only auxiliary washing agent.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $1.2B 14% of world exports
- 2 United States $982M 12% of world exports
- 3 China $783M 9.2% of world exports
World total: $8.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $567M 6.3% of world imports
- 2 Germany $529M 5.9% of world imports
- 3 France $387M 4.3% of world imports
World total: $9.0B 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 auxiliary washing agent
Brazil splits HS 3402.90 into 9 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3402.90.11Non-ionic-only surface-active agent mixtures
- 3402.90.19Other surface-active agent mixtures
- 3402.90.21Perfluoroalkyl acetoxypropyl betaine mixtures
- 3402.90.22Sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulphonate preparations
- 3402.90.23Perfluoroalkyl ammonium sulphonates and acrylamide
- 3402.90.29Other surface-active solutions and preparations
- 3402.90.31Ethoxylated nonylphenol detergents
- 3402.90.39Other detergents, not for retail sale
- 3402.90.90Other cleaning preparations, not for retail
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about auxiliary washing agent
What is the HS code for Auxiliary washing agent?
The HS code for Auxiliary washing agent is 340290 (Washing and cleaning preparations; surface-active, whether or not containing soap (excluding those of heading no. 3401), including auxiliary washing preparations, not for retail sale). The HS code for auxiliary washing agents not put up for retail sale is 3402.90.
How do I classify Auxiliary washing agent for customs?
Auxiliary washing agent is classified under HS code 340290 — Washing and cleaning preparations; surface-active, whether or not containing soap (excluding those of heading no. 3401), including auxiliary washing preparations, not for retail sale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What defines "retail sale" for this classification?
Retail sale refers to packaging that is intended for sale to the end-consumer, typically in smaller quantities with consumer-oriented labeling, as opposed to bulk industrial drums.
Which countries are the top exporters of auxiliary washing agent (HS 340290)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340290 (the code used for auxiliary washing agent) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.2B, 14% of world exports), the United States ($982M) and China ($783M). World exports came to about $8.5B, 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 auxiliary washing agent (HS 340290)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 340290 (the code used for auxiliary washing agent) in UN Comtrade data were China ($567M, 6.3% of world imports), Germany ($529M) and France ($387M). World imports came to about $9.0B, 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 Auxiliary washing agent the same in all countries?
The base HS code 340290 for Auxiliary washing agent 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 auxiliary washing agent in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 340290 into 9 NCM codes, so the right one for auxiliary washing agent depends on the product's details: 3402.90.11 (Non-ionic-only surface-active agent mixtures), 3402.90.19 (Other surface-active agent mixtures), 3402.90.21 (Perfluoroalkyl acetoxypropyl betaine mixtures), 3402.90.22 (Sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulphonate preparations), 3402.90.23 (Perfluoroalkyl ammonium sulphonates and acrylamide), 3402.90.29 (Other surface-active solutions and preparations), and more.