Product classification
HS code for Bulk cleaning 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 bulk cleaning agent under HS 3402.90
Bulk cleaning agents are classified under HS code 3402.90. This code covers organic surface-active preparations and cleaning preparations that are not put up for retail sale. These products contain surfactants that reduce the surface tension of water, allowing for the removal of dirt, grease, and oils. The "bulk" designation is vital; it refers to products sold in large quantities, such as 200-liter drums, 1,000-liter IBC tanks, or tankers, for industrial, institutional, or commercial use. The classification excludes products already packaged for individual consumer use, which fall under 3402.50. The chemical composition must include surface-active agents, which differentiates these preparations from simple chemical mixtures or solvents classified in Chapter 38. According to the Explanatory Notes to heading 3402, these preparations may contain auxiliary constituents like builders, fillers, and optical brighteners. The classification is determined by the presence of organic surfactants and the industrial packaging format, following GRI 1 and 6.
- Covers
- Industrial degreasers in 55-gallon drums
- Bulk liquid laundry detergents for commercial laundries
- Surface-active floor cleaners for industrial use
- Concentrated vehicle wash for commercial car washes
- Bulk emulsifiers for industrial cleaning
- Non-retail acidic or alkaline cleaning preparations
- 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. Bulk cleaning agents are frequently misclassified under 3402.50, which is strictly for retail-sale preparations. Another common error is 3401, which is reserved for soap; if the product is based on synthetic surfactants rather than fatty acid salts, it must stay in 3402. Finally, 3824 is sometimes used for general chemical mixtures, but 3402 is more specific for cleaning agents.
Top exporters and importers of HS 340290 (the code used for bulk cleaning agent), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340290 (the code used for bulk cleaning 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 bulk cleaning 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 bulk cleaning 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 bulk cleaning agent
What is the HS code for Bulk cleaning agent?
The HS code for Bulk cleaning 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).
How do I classify Bulk cleaning agent for customs?
Bulk cleaning 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 is the HS code for bulk cleaning agents?
The HS code for organic surface-active and cleaning preparations not for retail sale is 3402.90.
Does this code include industrial soap?
No, products that meet the definition of soap (salts of fatty acids) are classified under 3401, even if sold in bulk. 3402.90 is for synthetic surfactant-based cleaners.
Which countries are the top exporters of bulk cleaning agent (HS 340290)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340290 (the code used for bulk cleaning 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 bulk cleaning agent (HS 340290)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 340290 (the code used for bulk cleaning 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 Bulk cleaning agent the same in all countries?
The base HS code 340290 for Bulk cleaning 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 bulk cleaning agent in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 340290 into 9 NCM codes, so the right one for bulk cleaning 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.