Product classification
HS code for Liquid soap: 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 liquid soap under HS 3401.30
HS code 3401.30 is applied to organic surface-active products and preparations intended for washing the skin, provided they are in the form of a liquid or cream and are put up for retail sale. This classification is governed by Chapter 34 Note 2, which states that these products are included in this subheading regardless of whether they contain actual soap (alkali salts of fatty acids). The primary criteria for classification are the physical state (liquid or cream), the intended use (skin cleansing), and the packaging (retail sale). This code encompasses modern body washes, shower gels, and liquid hand soaps that utilize synthetic detergents. The classification follows GRI 1 and 6, identifying the product as a skin-cleansing preparation rather than a general-purpose detergent. If the product is intended for cleaning surfaces, laundry, or industrial equipment, it is excluded from this code. Furthermore, the "retail sale" requirement is essential; bulk shipments of skin-cleansing liquids intended for industrial repackaging may be classified under heading 3402 depending on their chemical composition and concentration.
- Covers
- Liquid hand soap in pump bottles
- Shower gels and body washes
- Liquid facial cleansers
- Cream-based skin washes
- Moisturizing liquid soaps for retail sale
- 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. Liquid soap is often confused with soap in bars or cakes under HS code 3401.11. It is also frequently misclassified under HS code 3402.20, which covers surface-active preparations for laundry or general cleaning. Additionally, if a product is primarily a cosmetic lotion without a washing function, it falls under HS code 3304.
Top exporters and importers of HS 340130 (the code used for liquid soap), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340130 (the code used for liquid soap) 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 liquid soap.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 France $835M 10% of world exports
- 2 Germany $684M 8.6% of world exports
- 3 United States $664M 8.3% of world exports
World total: $8.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $846M 10% of world imports
- 2 United States $774M 9.6% of world imports
- 3 Germany $516M 6.4% of world imports
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 liquid soap
Brazil classifies liquid soap 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 liquid soap
What is the HS code for Liquid soap?
The HS code for Liquid soap 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 skin-washing preparations put up for retail sale is 3401.30.
How do I classify Liquid soap for customs?
Liquid soap 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.
Does this code include liquid dishwashing detergent?
No, dishwashing liquid is classified under HS code 3402.20 as it is intended for cleaning objects, not for washing the skin.
Which countries are the top exporters of liquid soap (HS 340130)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340130 (the code used for liquid soap) 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 liquid soap (HS 340130)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 340130 (the code used for liquid soap) 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 Liquid soap the same in all countries?
The base HS code 340130 for Liquid 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 liquid soap in Brazil?
In Brazil, liquid soap (HS 340130) is classified under NCM 3401.30.00.