Product classification
HS code for General purpose polish: 3405.90
Polishes, creams and similar preparations, n.e.c. in heading no. 3405, excluding waxes of heading no. 3404.
Classification of general purpose polish under HS 3405.90
General purpose polish is classified under HS code 3405.90. This code is part of Chapter 34, which covers soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, and polishing or scouring preparations. Heading 3405 specifically includes polishes and creams for footwear, furniture, floors, coachwork, glass, or metal. The sub-heading 3405.90 is a residual category for "other" polishes that do not fit into the specific categories of footwear (3405.10), furniture/floors (3405.20), or coachwork (3405.30). General purpose polishes are typically mixtures of waxes, solvents, and sometimes mild abrasives designed to clean and shine a variety of surfaces such as plastics, multi-material household items, or specialized industrial surfaces. The classification is based on the product's intended use as a polishing or scouring preparation.
- Covers
- Multi-surface household polishes
- Metal polishing pastes and liquids
- Glass polishing preparations
- Plastic and acrylic polishes
- Stone or marble polishing creams
- Abrasive scouring pastes for general cleaning
- Also under 3405.90
- Brasso Metal Polish
- Flitz Metal Polish
- Novus Plastic Polish
- Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish
- Cerama Bryte Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner
Codes often confused with 3405.90
Common mistake. General purpose polishes are frequently confused with HS code 3402, which covers organic surface-active agents and cleaning preparations. The distinction lies in the presence of abrasive or polishing agents (like waxes or fine minerals); if the product's primary function is simply to remove dirt via surfactants, it belongs in 3402. If it leaves a protective shine or uses abrasives to smooth a surface, it belongs in 3405. Another common error is 3404, which covers artificial and prepared waxes. If the wax is a raw material or a simple mixture not yet prepared as a polish, it stays in 3404, but once it is formulated for a specific polishing task, it moves to 3405.
Top exporters and importers of HS 340590 (the code used for general purpose polish), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340590 (the code used for general purpose polish) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 39% 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 340590, not only general purpose polish.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $405M 32% of world exports
- 2 Taiwan* ~$292M 23% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Japan $86M 6.8% of world exports
World total: $1.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $686M 39% of world imports
- 2 Taiwan* ~$126M 7.1% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Germany $89M 5.0% of world imports
World total: $1.8B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 general purpose polish
Brazil classifies general purpose polish under NCM 3405.90.00: HS 3405.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about general purpose polish
What is the HS code for General purpose polish?
The HS code for General purpose polish is 340590 (Polishes, creams and similar preparations; n.e.c. in heading no. 3405, excluding waxes of heading no. 3404). The HS code for general purpose polish is 3405.90, covering polishing preparations not elsewhere specified.
How do I classify General purpose polish for customs?
General purpose polish is classified under HS code 340590 — Polishes, creams and similar preparations; n.e.c. in heading no. 3405, excluding waxes of heading no. 3404. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is car wax included in this code?
No, car wax and other polishes for vehicle bodywork are specifically classified under HS code 3405.30.
Which countries are the top exporters of general purpose polish (HS 340590)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340590 (the code used for general purpose polish) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($405M, 32% of world exports), Taiwan (about $292M) and Japan ($86M). World exports came to about $1.3B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of general purpose polish (HS 340590)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 340590 (the code used for general purpose polish) in UN Comtrade data were China ($686M, 39% of world imports), Taiwan (about $126M) and Germany ($89M). World imports came to about $1.8B, 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 General purpose polish the same in all countries?
The base HS code 340590 for General purpose polish 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 general purpose polish in Brazil?
In Brazil, general purpose polish (HS 340590) is classified under NCM 3405.90.00.