Product classification
HS code for Medicated soap: 3401.11
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, for toilet use (including medicated products).
Classification of medicated soap under HS 3401.11
The classification of medicated soap under HS code 3401.11 is governed by the primary function of the product as a cleansing agent. According to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System, heading 3401 includes soap that has had small quantities of other substances added, such as disinfectants, medicaments, or abrasive powders, provided the product remains essentially a soap. For a product to be classified here, it must be in the form of bars, cakes, or molded shapes. The "medicated" aspect refers to the addition of active ingredients intended to treat skin conditions or provide antiseptic properties. However, if the product contains a high concentration of medicinal substances such that it is primarily a medicament rather than a soap, it might be excluded from this chapter. This classification follows General Interpretative Rule (GRI) 1, which dictates that classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Chapter 34 Note 2 clarifies that for the purposes of heading 34.01, the term "soap" applies only to soap soluble in water. Medicated soaps are often used for dermatological purposes but are classified here rather than in Chapter 30 because their primary function remains cleansing.
- Covers
- Antiseptic soap bars
- Anti-acne cleansing cakes
- Disinfectant toilet soap
- Sulfur-infused soap bars
- Fungal treatment soap in molded shapes
- Also under 3401.11
- Dove Beauty Bar
- Safeguard Antibacterial Soap
- Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
- Irish Spring Bar Soap
- Dial Gold Bar Soap
Codes often confused with 3401.11
Common mistake. Medicated soap is frequently confused with HS code 3004.90, which covers medicaments for therapeutic or prophylactic uses. The distinction lies in the primary function; if the product is formulated primarily as a medicine to treat a disease and the soap base is merely a carrier, 3004 is appropriate. Another common error involves HS code 3401.30, which covers organic surface-active products for washing the skin in liquid or cream form. If the medicated soap is a liquid wash rather than a solid bar, it must be classified under 3401.30.
Top exporters and importers of HS 340111 (the code used for medicated soap), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340111 (the code used for medicated soap) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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 340111, not only medicated soap.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $480M 12% of world exports
- 2 United States $357M 9.1% of world exports
- 3 Indonesia $335M 8.5% of world exports
World total: $3.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $601M 14% of world imports
- 2 Germany $295M 6.9% of world imports
- 3 Canada $249M 5.8% of world imports
World total: $4.3B 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 codes for medicated soap
Brazil splits HS 3401.11 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3401.11.10Medicated toilet soap in bars, cakes or shapes
- 3401.11.90Other toilet soap and surfactant bars or sheets
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about medicated soap
What is the HS code for Medicated soap?
The HS code for Medicated soap is 340111 (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, for toilet use (including medicated products)). The HS code for medicated soap in the form of bars, cakes, or molded shapes for toilet use is 3401.11.
How do I classify Medicated soap for customs?
Medicated soap is classified under HS code 340111 — 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, for toilet use (including medicated products). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can liquid medicated soap use this code?
No, HS code 3401.11 is strictly for solid forms. Liquid or cream-based medicated soaps are classified under HS code 3401.30.
Which countries are the top exporters of medicated soap (HS 340111)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340111 (the code used for medicated soap) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($480M, 12% of world exports), the United States ($357M) and Indonesia ($335M). World exports came to about $3.9B, 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 medicated soap (HS 340111)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 340111 (the code used for medicated soap) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($601M, 14% of world imports), Germany ($295M) and Canada ($249M). World imports came to about $4.3B, 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.
Is the HS code for Medicated soap the same in all countries?
The base HS code 340111 for Medicated 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 medicated soap in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 340111 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for medicated soap depends on the product's details: 3401.11.10 (Medicated toilet soap in bars, cakes or shapes), 3401.11.90 (Other toilet soap and surfactant bars or sheets).