Soap; 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 detergent

HS v2017 Code: 3401

About soap; 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 detergent

HS code 3401 covers a diverse range of soap and soap-related products that are essential for personal hygiene, cleaning, and various industrial applications. This industry plays a crucial role in the broader economy, providing essential products for both consumer and commercial markets. The production and trade of these items are significant, contributing to global supply chains and economic activity.

Production process

The main production techniques for HS code 3401 items involve the saponification of fats and oils, which are then combined with various additives and fragrances to create a wide array of soap and soap-related products. These can range from traditional bar soaps to liquid hand washes, detergents, and specialized industrial cleaners. The manufacturing process often includes steps such as mixing, melting, molding, and packaging to ensure the final products meet quality and safety standards.

Production inputs

The key inputs for the HS code 3401 industry include a variety of fats and oils, such as palm oil, coconut oil, and tallow, which serve as the primary raw materials. Additionally, manufacturers require various chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide and fragrances, as well as specialized equipment like mixers, extruders, and packaging machinery to support the production process.

Production outputs

The main outputs of the HS code 3401 industry are diverse, ranging from personal care products like bar soaps and liquid hand washes to industrial cleaners and detergents. These products are widely consumed by 3402 Organic surface-active agents, except soap, 3305 Preparations for use on the hair, and 3307 Pre-shave, shaving or after-shave preparations, personal deodorants, bath preparations, depilatories and other perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations, not elsewhere specified or included, among other industries and sectors.

Family tree for soap; 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 detergent

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/34'>34: Soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3401'>3401: Soap; 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 detergent</a>"]

    A --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3402'>3402: Organic surface-active agents (not soap); surface-active, washing (including auxiliary washing) and cleaning preparations, containing soap or not, excluding those of heading no. 3401</a>"]
A --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3403'>3403: Lubricating preparations and those used in oil or grease treatment of textile and similar materials; excluding preparations containing 70% or more (by weight) of petroleum or bituminous mineral oils</a>"]
A --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3404'>3404: Waxes; artificial, prepared</a>"]
A --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3405'>3405: Polishes, creams, scouring pastes, powders and similar; in any form, (including articles impregnated, coated or covered with such), for furniture, footwear, floors, coachwork, glass or metal</a>"]
A --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3406'>3406: Candles, tapers and the like</a>"]
A --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/3407'>3407: Modelling pastes, including those for children; dental wax, impression compounds, in sets or packings for retail sale or in plates and similar forms; dentistry preparations with plaster base</a>"]

    B --> I["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/340111'>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)</a>"]
B --> J["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/340119'>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</a>"]
B --> K["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/340120'>340120: Soap; in forms n.e.c. in item no. 3401.11</a>"]
B --> L["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/340130'>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</a>"]


    %% Color coordination by level

    classDef level1 color:#000,fill:#a8f9ff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
    classDef level2 color:#000,fill:#e0a458,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level3 color:#000,fill:#419d78,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level4 color:#000,fill:#c04abc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level5 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level6 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef highlight color:#000,fill:#fff,stroke:#000,stroke-width:5px



  %% Apply classes
  class A level2
class B level4
class C level4
class D level4
class E level4
class F level4
class G level4
class H level4
class I level6
class J level6
class K level6
class L level6

  class B highlight

  %% class A level1
  %% class B,C level2
  %% class D,E,F,G,H,I level2
  %% class J,K,L,M,N,O,P level3
  %% class B highlight