Product classification
HS code for Laundry 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 laundry soap under HS 3401.19
Laundry soap is classified under HS code 340119 because it consists of soap and organic surface-active products in the form of bars, cakes, or molded shapes specifically intended for laundry or industrial cleaning rather than personal hygiene. Heading 3401 covers soap in various forms, and subheading 340119 is the residual category for products that are not for toilet use. The classification is determined by the chemical composition—being a salt of a fatty acid—and its physical presentation as a solid mass. Unlike synthetic detergents classified elsewhere, these products must primarily contain soap as the active cleaning agent to fall under this specific heading.
- Covers
- Laundry soap bars
- Molded laundry soap cakes
- Soap-impregnated wadding for industrial cleaning
- Soap-covered nonwovens for laundry use
- Hard soap blocks for household scrubbing
- 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. Laundry soap is frequently confused with toilet soap, which is classified under HS code 340111. The distinction lies in the intended use and often the presence of perfumes or skin conditioners; 340111 is strictly for personal bathing. Another common error is classifying laundry bars under HS code 340220 or 340290. These codes are reserved for organic surface-active agents and preparations (detergents) that do not meet the chemical definition of soap or are in liquid/powder forms rather than bars or cakes.
Top exporters and importers of HS 340119 (the code used for laundry soap), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340119 (the code used for laundry 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 laundry 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 laundry soap
Brazil classifies laundry 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 laundry soap
What is the HS code for Laundry soap?
The HS code for Laundry 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). The HS code for laundry soap in the form of bars, cakes, or molded shapes is 340119.
How do I classify Laundry soap for customs?
Laundry 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 laundry detergent?
No, liquid laundry detergents are classified under heading 3402, as they are typically synthetic organic surface-active preparations rather than traditional soap in solid form.
Which countries are the top exporters of laundry soap (HS 340119)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340119 (the code used for laundry 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 laundry soap (HS 340119)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 340119 (the code used for laundry 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 Laundry soap the same in all countries?
The base HS code 340119 for Laundry 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 laundry soap in Brazil?
In Brazil, laundry soap (HS 340119) is classified under NCM 3401.19.00.