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 v2022 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. From household cleaning to industrial processes, the soap and detergent industry is a vital component of the global supply chain.

Production process

The production of soap and related products under HS code 3401 typically involves a combination of chemical reactions and mechanical processes. The primary method is the saponification of fats and oils, where they are reacted with an alkali, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, to create soap. This process can be carried out in batch or continuous operations, depending on the scale and specific product requirements. Additional steps may include milling, molding, and packaging to create the final consumer or industrial products.

Production inputs

The main inputs required for the production of soap and related products under HS code 3401 include various fats and oils, such as 1511 Palm oil, 1507 Soybean oil, and 1515 Other fixed vegetable fats and oils. Additionally, alkali substances like sodium or potassium hydroxide, as well as various additives and fragrances, are commonly used. The industry also relies on specialized machinery and equipment for mixing, molding, and packaging the final products.

Production outputs

The primary outputs of the industry covered by HS code 3401 are soap, organic surface-active preparations used as soap, and related products for skin washing and cleaning. These products can be in the form of bars, cakes, molded pieces, shapes, liquids, or creams, and may be intended for retail or industrial use. The outputs of this industry are often consumed by other industries, such as 3402 Organic surface-active agents, surface-active preparations and washing preparations, 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.

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/v2022/34'>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/v2022/3401'>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/v2022/3402'>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/v2022/3403'>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/v2022/3404'>3404: Waxes; artificial, prepared</a>"]
A --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/3405'>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/v2022/3406'>3406: Candles, tapers and the like</a>"]
A --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/3407'>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/v2022/340111'>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/v2022/340119'>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/v2022/340120'>340120: Soap; in forms n.e.c. in item no. 3401.11</a>"]
B --> L["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/340130'>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