Product classification
HS code for Bar detergent: 3401.19
Soap and organic surface-active products, in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, not for toilet use.
Classification of bar detergent under HS 3401.19
Bar detergent is classified under HS code 340119, which pertains to soap and organic surface-active products in the form of bars, cakes, or molded shapes intended for uses other than toilet use. This classification is determined by General Rule of Interpretation (GRI) 1 and 6, focusing on the physical form and the intended application. Unlike toilet soaps designed for personal hygiene, bar detergents in this category are typically formulated for laundry, dishwashing, or industrial cleaning. They contain surfactants and builders that are more aggressive than those found in personal care products. The classification hinges on the absence of specific additives or marketing that would designate the product for personal bathing, as well as the chemical composition which often includes higher concentrations of sodium carbonate or silicates suitable for removing heavy grease and stains from fabrics or surfaces.
- Covers
- Laundry soap bars for hand-washing clothes
- Dishwashing detergent bars
- Industrial degreasing soap cakes
- Multi-purpose household cleaning bars
- Scouring bars containing abrasive agents
- Also under 3401.19
Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar, Zote Laundry Soap, Kiwi Saddle Soap, Lava Heavy-Duty Hand Cleaner, Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Bar Soap (for general cleaning)
Codes often confused with 3401.19
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 340111, which is reserved for toilet soaps. Importers often confuse the two because both are solid bars; however, 340111 is strictly for personal hygiene. Another common error is using 340290, which covers organic surface-active preparations in other forms. If the product is a solid bar, 3401 remains the primary heading. Additionally, if the bar is purely synthetic detergent without any soap content, it might still fall under 3401 if it is presented in a molded shape for retail sale as a washing preparation.
Top exporters and importers of HS 340119 (the code used for bar detergent), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340119 (the code used for bar detergent) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 39% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% 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 340119, not only bar detergent.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $1.1B 39% of world exports
- 2 Türkiye $151M 5.3% of world exports
- 3 Poland $116M 4.0% of world exports
World total: $2.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $432M 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $121M 5.0% of world imports
- 3 Australia $106M 4.3% of world imports
World total: $2.4B 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 code for bar detergent
Brazil classifies bar detergent under NCM 3401.19.00: HS 3401.19 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about bar detergent
What is the HS code for Bar detergent?
The HS code for Bar detergent is 340119 (Soap and organic surface-active products; in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, not for toilet use). The HS code for bar detergent intended for laundry or general cleaning is 340119.
How do I classify Bar detergent for customs?
Bar detergent is classified under HS code 340119 — Soap and organic surface-active products; in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, not for toilet use. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include liquid laundry detergent?
No, liquid laundry detergents are classified under heading 3402, specifically 340290 or 340250 depending on retail packaging, as they are not in bar or cake form.
Which countries are the top exporters of bar detergent (HS 340119)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340119 (the code used for bar detergent) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.1B, 39% of world exports), Türkiye ($151M) and Poland ($116M). World exports came to about $2.9B, 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 bar detergent (HS 340119)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 340119 (the code used for bar detergent) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($432M, 18% of world imports), Germany ($121M) and Australia ($106M). World imports came to about $2.4B, 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 Bar detergent the same in all countries?
The base HS code 340119 for Bar detergent 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 bar detergent in Brazil?
In Brazil, bar detergent (HS 340119) is classified under NCM 3401.19.00.