Product classification

HS code for Scouring powder: 3405.40

Scouring pastes and powders and other scouring preparations, (whether or not in the form of paper, wadding, felt, nonwovens, cellular plastics, cellular rubber, impregnated, coated or covered).

Classification of scouring powder under HS 3405.40

HS Code 3405.40 is the designated classification for scouring pastes, powders, and other scouring preparations. These products are specifically formulated for cleaning hard surfaces—such as metal, glass, or ceramics—through the use of abrasive particles. This code falls under Chapter 34, which covers soap, organic surface-active agents, and various cleaning or polishing preparations. The defining characteristic of products in this sub-heading is the presence of finely ground abrasive substances (like silica, pumice, or calcium carbonate) mixed with cleaning agents. These preparations can be presented in various forms, including loose powder, thick pastes, or even impregnated into substrates like paper, wadding, felt, or nonwovens. The classification is based on the primary function of the product being "scouring" rather than just simple washing or degreasing. If the product's main purpose is to remove stubborn stains or smooth a surface through abrasion, 3405.40 is the correct designation. This code is essential for distinguishing abrasive cleaners from standard chemical detergents.

Covers
  • Abrasive kitchen scouring powders
  • Bathroom scouring pastes
  • Metal polishing and scouring compounds
  • Scouring pads impregnated with abrasive powder
  • Liquid scouring creams containing abrasives
  • Industrial scouring preparations for heavy-duty surface cleaning
  • Abrasive preparations for cleaning glass or ceramics
Also under 3405.40
  • Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser & Polish
  • Comet Powder Cleanser
  • The Pink Stuff Cleaning Paste
  • Soft Scrub with Bleach Cleanser
  • Brillo Steel Wool Soap Pads

Codes often confused with 3405.40

Common mistake. A frequent point of confusion involves HS Code 3401 and 3402. HS Code 3401 is for soap and organic surface-active products in the form of bars or cakes, while HS Code 3402 covers organic surface-active agents and washing preparations (detergents) that do not primarily rely on abrasives. If a cleaning product is a liquid detergent without abrasive grit, it must be classified under 3402. Another misclassification occurs with HS Code 2513, which covers raw pumice stone or emery; these are raw minerals, whereas 3405.40 is for finished chemical preparations. Finally, specialized polishes for coachwork or glass that do not have scouring properties are classified under 3405.10 or 3405.90.

34.01Soap; 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. 340125.13Pumice stone; emery; natural corundum, natural garnet and other natural abrasives, whether or not heat treated3405.10Polishes, creams and similar preparations; for footwear or leather, excluding waxes of heading no. 34043405.90Polishes, creams and similar preparations; n.e.c. in heading no. 3405, excluding waxes of heading no. 3404

Top exporters and importers of HS 340540 (the code used for scouring powder), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340540 (the code used for scouring powder) in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 56% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 22% 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 340540, not only scouring powder.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Japan $448M
  2. 2 South Korea $91M
  3. 3 Hungary $52M

World total: $807M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 South Korea $127M
  2. 2 Taiwan* ~$109M
  3. 3 Japan $38M

World total: $570M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 scouring powder

Brazil classifies scouring powder under NCM 3405.40.00: HS 3405.40 with 00 added.

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

Questions about scouring powder

What is the HS code for Scouring powder?

The HS code for Scouring powder is 340540 (Scouring pastes and powders and other scouring preparations; (whether or not in the form of paper, wadding, felt, nonwovens, cellular plastics, cellular rubber, impregnated, coated or covered)). The HS code for scouring powders and pastes is 3405.40.

How do I classify Scouring powder for customs?

Scouring powder is classified under HS code 340540 — Scouring pastes and powders and other scouring preparations; (whether or not in the form of paper, wadding, felt, nonwovens, cellular plastics, cellular rubber, impregnated, coated or covered). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code include steel wool?

No, steel wool is generally classified under HS Code 7323.10, even if it is used for scouring, unless it is heavily impregnated with a scouring preparation of the type described in 3405.

Which countries are the top exporters of scouring powder (HS 340540)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340540 (the code used for scouring powder) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($448M, 56% of world exports), South Korea ($91M) and Hungary ($52M). World exports came to about $807M, 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 scouring powder (HS 340540)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 340540 (the code used for scouring powder) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($127M, 22% of world imports), Taiwan (about $109M) and Japan ($38M). World imports came to about $570M, 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 Scouring powder the same in all countries?

The base HS code 340540 for Scouring powder 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 scouring powder in Brazil?

In Brazil, scouring powder (HS 340540) is classified under NCM 3405.40.00.