Product classification

HS code for Hand wash: 3401.30

Organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the form of liquid or cream and put up for retail sale, whether or not containing soap.

Classification of hand wash under HS 3401.30

Hand wash is classified under HS code 3401.30, which specifically covers organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the form of liquid or cream, put up for retail sale. This classification is determined by the chemical composition and the intended use of the product. Unlike traditional bar soap, liquid hand washes often contain synthetic detergents (surfactants) rather than just saponified fats. Heading 3401 includes soaps and organic surface-active products, but subheading 3401.30 is the most specific for liquid skin-cleansing preparations. The product must be intended for washing the skin and must be packaged for retail sale to meet the criteria of this code. This ensures that bulk industrial surfactants are distinguished from consumer-ready hygiene products. The classification is supported by Chapter 34 Note 2, which defines the parameters for organic surface-active products. Even if the product contains soap, if it is in liquid or cream form and intended for skin washing, 3401.30 is the correct designation.

Covers
  • Liquid hand soap in pump bottles for domestic use
  • Antibacterial liquid hand wash preparations
  • Moisturizing hand wash creams and lotions
  • Foaming hand soap preparations in retail packaging
  • Hand wash refills packaged for direct retail sale
  • Scented or medicated liquid hand cleansers
Also under 3401.30
  • Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap
  • Dove Body Wash
  • Bath & Body Works Shower Gel
  • CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
  • Method Foaming Hand Wash

Codes often confused with 3401.30

Common mistake. Hand wash is often misclassified under HS code 3401.11, which is reserved for soap in the form of bars, cakes, or molded shapes. While both are for washing, the physical form (liquid vs. solid) dictates the subheading. Another common error is using HS code 3304, which covers beauty or make-up preparations and skin-care products. However, 3304 specifically excludes preparations for washing the skin, which are always directed to 3401. Additionally, industrial-grade hand cleaners containing abrasives might sometimes be confused with 3402 (general surface-active agents), but if they are for skin, 3401 remains the primary heading. Hand sanitizers that do not require rinsing are also frequently misclassified here but belong in 3808.

3401.11Soap 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)33.04Cosmetic and toilet preparations; beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations), manicure or pedicure preparations34.01Soap; organic surface-active preparations used as soap, skin washing, in bars, cakes, moulded pieces, shapes, liquid or cream, containing soap or not; for retail, paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent34.02Organic surface-active agents (not soap); surface-active, washing (including auxiliary washing) and cleaning preparations, containing soap or not, excluding those of heading no. 340138.08Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti-sprouting products, plant growth regulators, disinfectants and the like, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles

Top exporters and importers of HS 340130 (the code used for hand wash), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340130 (the code used for hand wash) in UN Comtrade data was France, with 10% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 10% 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 340130, not only hand wash.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 France $835M
  2. 2 Germany $684M
  3. 3 United States $664M

World total: $8.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $846M
  2. 2 United States $774M
  3. 3 Germany $516M

World total: $8.1B 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 hand wash

Brazil classifies hand wash under NCM 3401.30.00: HS 3401.30 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about hand wash

What is the HS code for Hand wash?

The HS code for Hand wash is 340130 (Organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the form of liquid or cream and put up for retail sale, whether or not containing soap). The HS code for liquid or cream hand wash put up for retail sale is 3401.30.

How do I classify Hand wash for customs?

Hand wash is classified under HS code 340130 — Organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the form of liquid or cream and put up for retail sale, whether or not containing soap. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is hand sanitizer classified under the same code?

No, hand sanitizers that do not require rinsing and are primarily alcohol-based are typically classified under HS code 3808.94 as disinfectants, rather than 3401.30, because they are not intended for washing in the sense of removal by water.

Which countries are the top exporters of hand wash (HS 340130)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340130 (the code used for hand wash) in UN Comtrade data were France ($835M, 10% of world exports), Germany ($684M) and the United States ($664M). World exports came to about $8.0B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of hand wash (HS 340130)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 340130 (the code used for hand wash) in UN Comtrade data were China ($846M, 10% of world imports), the United States ($774M) and Germany ($516M). World imports came to about $8.1B, 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 Hand wash the same in all countries?

The base HS code 340130 for Hand wash 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 hand wash in Brazil?

In Brazil, hand wash (HS 340130) is classified under NCM 3401.30.00.