Product classification
HS code for Industrial soap: 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 industrial soap under HS 3401.19
Industrial soap is classified under HS code 3401.11 or 3401.19 depending on its intended use. For industrial applications where the soap is not for personal toilet use, such as heavy-duty degreasing bars or soap-impregnated materials for cleaning machinery, 3401.19 is the correct subheading. This code covers soap and organic surface-active products in the form of bars, cakes, or molded shapes. The classification is driven by the chemical nature of the product (alkali salts of fatty acids) and its physical form. If the soap is impregnated into a nonwoven fabric or felt for industrial scrubbing, it remains within this heading.
- Covers
- Heavy-duty industrial degreasing bars
- Soap-impregnated industrial felt pads
- Molded abrasive soap blocks for workshop use
- Industrial laundry soap in bar form
- Soap-coated nonwoven wipes for tool cleaning
- Workshop hand soap bars (non-toilet use)
- 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. Industrial soap is often confused with HS code 3401.11, which is strictly for toilet use (personal hygiene). If the packaging or formulation indicates use for machinery or industrial processes, 3401.19 is required. Another common error is using HS code 3402.90, which covers organic surface-active agents and cleaning preparations in liquid or powder form. If the product is in a solid, molded shape, it must stay in 3401. Finally, specialized metal-working lubricants containing soap may fall under 3403 instead of 3401.
Top exporters and importers of HS 340119 (the code used for industrial soap), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340119 (the code used for industrial soap) 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 industrial soap.
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 industrial soap
Brazil classifies industrial soap 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 industrial soap
What is the HS code for Industrial soap?
The HS code for Industrial soap 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). Industrial soap in solid forms like bars or cakes is classified under HS code 3401.19.
How do I classify Industrial soap for customs?
Industrial soap 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 industrial hand cleaners?
No, liquid soaps and cleaning preparations are generally classified under HS code 3402, as 3401.19 is reserved for solid shapes and impregnated substrates.
Which countries are the top exporters of industrial soap (HS 340119)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340119 (the code used for industrial soap) 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 industrial soap (HS 340119)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 340119 (the code used for industrial soap) 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 Industrial soap the same in all countries?
The base HS code 340119 for Industrial 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 industrial soap in Brazil?
In Brazil, industrial soap (HS 340119) is classified under NCM 3401.19.00.