Organic surface-active agents — HTS 3402
Organic surface-active agents (other than soap); surface-active preparations, washing preparations (including auxiliary washing preparations) and cleaning preparations, whether or not containing soap, other than those of heading 3401
Chapter 34 › Heading 3402
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 3402 is a broad product category for certain non-soap surfactants and preparations used for washing, cleaning, or related surface treatment. It can include the active chemical itself, as well as formulated products such as detergents, cleaners, and auxiliary washing preparations. Products whose principal character is soap or that belong in heading 3401 must be considered separately.
The 4-digit heading is only the starting point. To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS subheading, identify what the product is, how it is formulated, and how it is presented or used. The lower-level provisions commonly distinguish between the chemical or formulation type and other technical characteristics, so the merchant should read every level of the tariff description and its related notes rather than selecting a code from a product name alone.
What to check
- Obtain the full ingredient list, safety data sheet, technical data sheet, and product label before classifying the item.
- Determine whether the product is a standalone organic surface-active agent or a formulated washing, cleaning, or auxiliary preparation.
- Check whether soap is present and whether the product’s principal character places it in heading 3401 or another heading instead.
- Review the complete HTSUS hierarchy below heading 3402, including distinctions based on material, formulation, physical form, or intended use.
- Compare the product facts with the legal notes, Explanatory Notes, and current official classification guidance; request a binding ruling or consult a customs broker when the formulation is mixed or difficult to classify.
HTS heading 3402 summary
Organic surface-active agents is a 4-digit product category containing 0 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 3402.31 | Linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acids and their salts |
| 3402.39 | Other |
| 3402.41 | Cationic |
| 3402.42 | Non-ionic |
| 3402.49 | Other |
| 3402.50 | Preparations put up for retail sale |
| 3402.90 | Other |
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 3402?
Organic surface-active agents (other than soap); surface-active preparations, washing preparations (including auxiliary washing preparations) and cleaning preparations, whether or not containing soap, other than those of heading 3401. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.