Product classification
HS code for Bar soap: 3401.11
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, for toilet use (including medicated products).
Classification of bar soap under HS 3401.11
Bar soap for toilet use is classified under HS code 340111. This classification encompasses soap and organic surface-active products that are shaped into bars, cakes, or molded forms and are specifically intended for personal hygiene, bathing, or hand washing. According to the Explanatory Notes to Chapter 34, this heading includes medicated soaps (such as those containing disinfectants or sulfur) and soaps that have added perfumes or moisturizers. The classification is determined by the product's physical state (solid) and its end-use (toiletries). The chemical definition of soap under this heading refers to the alkali salts of fatty acids. Even if the bar contains synthetic detergents (syndet bars), it remains under 340111 as long as it is intended for toilet use and presented in the specified solid forms. This code is vital for ensuring compliance with cosmetic regulations and health standards in many jurisdictions.
- Covers
- Scented bath soap bars
- Medicated toilet soap cakes
- Antibacterial hand soap bars
- Glycerin-based transparent soap bars
- Syndet (synthetic detergent) bars for personal washing
- Also under 3401.11
- Dove Beauty Bar
- Safeguard Antibacterial Soap
- Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
- Irish Spring Bar Soap
- Dial Gold Bar Soap
Codes often confused with 3401.11
Common mistake. Bar soap is frequently misclassified under 340119, which is reserved for laundry or industrial soap bars. The distinction is based on the intended use; 340111 is for the body, while 340119 is for objects. Another common mistake is using 340120, which covers soap in other forms like flakes, granules, or powders. If the soap is liquid or cream and packaged for retail sale, it should be classified under 340130. Additionally, specialty skin treatments that do not contain soap or surfactants might fall under 3304 (beauty or skin-care preparations).
Top exporters and importers of HS 340111 (the code used for bar soap), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340111 (the code used for bar soap) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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 340111, not only bar soap.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $480M 12% of world exports
- 2 United States $357M 9.1% of world exports
- 3 Indonesia $335M 8.5% of world exports
World total: $3.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $601M 14% of world imports
- 2 Germany $295M 6.9% of world imports
- 3 Canada $249M 5.8% of world imports
World total: $4.3B 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 bar soap
Brazil splits HS 3401.11 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3401.11.10Medicated toilet soap in bars, cakes or shapes
- 3401.11.90Other toilet soap and surfactant bars or sheets
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about bar soap
What is the HS code for Bar soap?
The HS code for Bar soap is 340111 (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, for toilet use (including medicated products)). The HS code for bar soap intended for toilet or personal use is 340111.
How do I classify Bar soap for customs?
Bar soap is classified under HS code 340111 — 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, for toilet use (including medicated products). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are hotel-sized soaps classified differently?
No, small guest soaps or hotel-sized bars are still classified under 340111 as they are molded bars intended for toilet use.
Which countries are the top exporters of bar soap (HS 340111)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340111 (the code used for bar soap) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($480M, 12% of world exports), the United States ($357M) and Indonesia ($335M). World exports came to about $3.9B, 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 soap (HS 340111)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 340111 (the code used for bar soap) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($601M, 14% of world imports), Germany ($295M) and Canada ($249M). World imports came to about $4.3B, 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 soap the same in all countries?
The base HS code 340111 for Bar soap 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 soap in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 340111 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for bar soap depends on the product's details: 3401.11.10 (Medicated toilet soap in bars, cakes or shapes), 3401.11.90 (Other toilet soap and surfactant bars or sheets).