Product classification
HS code for Soap powder: 3401.20
Soap, in forms n.e.c. in item no. 3401.11.
Classification of soap powder under HS 3401.20
Soap powder is classified under HS code 340120, which specifically covers soap in forms other than bars, cakes, or molded shapes. According to the Harmonized System's General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), products are classified based on their chemical composition and physical form. Chapter 34 encompasses soap, organic surface-active agents, and washing preparations. Heading 3401 is dedicated to soap and organic surface-active products used as soap. While 3401.11 covers soap in traditional solid forms like bars or cakes, 3401.20 serves as the classification for soap in "other forms," which includes powders, flakes, and granules. To be classified here, the product must be a true soap—a salt of a fatty acid derived from the saponification of fats or oils with an alkali. This classification is critical for customs because it distinguishes traditional soap products from modern synthetic detergents, which are governed by different regulatory standards and duty rates. The powder must not contain synthetic organic surface-active agents as the primary active ingredient, as that would shift the classification to a different heading.
- Covers
- Industrial soap powder
- Laundry soap flakes
- Powdered hand soap (pure soap based)
- Soap granules for manufacturing
- Tallow-based soap powder
- Also under 3401.20
- Ivory Snow Laundry Detergent (flakes)
- Stepan Company Soap Noodles
- Procter & Gamble Bulk Soap Pellets
- Kao Industrial Soap Powder
- BASF Soap Flakes
Codes often confused with 3401.20
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 3402. This heading covers organic surface-active agents and washing preparations (detergents). Many modern "laundry powders" are actually synthetic detergents rather than true soaps and must be classified under 3402.90 or 3402.50. Additionally, soap in bars or cakes is classified under 3401.11, and liquid soap is often classified under 3401.30 if it is for skin washing.
Top exporters and importers of HS 340120 (the code used for soap powder), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340120 (the code used for soap powder) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 6.8% 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 340120, not only soap powder.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $601M 28% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $296M 14% of world exports
- 3 Poland $174M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $2.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $145M 6.8% of world imports
- 2 Germany $114M 5.3% of world imports
- 3 India $111M 5.2% of world imports
World total: $2.1B 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 codes for soap powder
Brazil splits HS 3401.20 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3401.20.10Toilet soap in other forms
- 3401.20.90Non-toilet soap in other forms
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about soap powder
What is the HS code for Soap powder?
The HS code for Soap powder is 340120 (Soap; in forms n.e.c. in item no. 3401.11). The HS code for soap powder is 340120, provided it is a true soap in powder or flake form.
How do I classify Soap powder for customs?
Soap powder is classified under HS code 340120 — Soap; in forms n.e.c. in item no. 3401.11. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is laundry detergent the same as soap powder?
No, laundry detergent usually contains synthetic surfactants and is classified under HS code 3402, whereas soap powder is made from natural fats and oils and falls under 340120.
Which countries are the top exporters of soap powder (HS 340120)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340120 (the code used for soap powder) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($601M, 28% of world exports), Malaysia ($296M) and Poland ($174M). World exports came to about $2.2B, 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 soap powder (HS 340120)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 340120 (the code used for soap powder) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($145M, 6.8% of world imports), Germany ($114M) and India ($111M). World imports came to about $2.1B, 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 Soap powder the same in all countries?
The base HS code 340120 for Soap 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 soap powder in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 340120 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for soap powder depends on the product's details: 3401.20.10 (Toilet soap in other forms), 3401.20.90 (Non-toilet soap in other forms).