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 heading 34.01 covers 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. Within Chapter 34 it splits into 4 six-digit subheadings spanning soap and organic surface-active products to soap, each carrying its own customs duty line.
- India exports 2024
- $153.2M
- Share of Chapter 34
- 14.6%
- Rank in its chapter
- #2 of 7
Source: UN Comtrade — India's reported merchandise exports to the world, 2024.
Sourcing this category from India
HS 34.01 covers 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. At the six-digit line it separates soap and organic surface-active products and soap, among others — each a distinct duty line shown below. India exports toilet and laundry soaps, surfactants, candles and polishing preparations to regional and Western markets. India exported $153.2M under this code worldwide in 2024, about 14.6% of all Chapter 34 exports, ranking #2 of 7 lines in its chapter (UN Comtrade).
How to read this code
34.01 is the four-digit HS heading for soap. To clear customs your destination country extends it to a full 8–10 digit code and assigns the duty rate. India's preferential trade agreements (UAE CEPA, Australia ECTA, and others) can reduce or zero out that duty on many chemicals & allied industries lines — check our import guides for your market.
Subheadings under HS 34.01
The Harmonised System breaks 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 into these 4 subheadings. Drill down to the exact classification for your goods.
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)
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
Soap; in forms n.e.c. in item no. 3401.11
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
Top destinations for Chapter 34 exports
India's largest buyers of goods in this HS chapter in 2024, ranked by export value.
Chapter-level destination mix — your specific HS line may skew differently. Source: UN Comtrade, 2024.
More codes in 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
Jump to the other headings classified under 34 — hover a code for its description.
Working out import duty for HS 34.01 into your market? See full duty context and India-vs-rivals comparisons in our India comparison guides and export resource hub.
Indian exporters in this category
Established export houses with relevant HS focus. Listings are compiled from public records — run your own due diligence.
Browse the full exporter directory →Source goods under HS 34.01 directly from India.
We handle sourcing, QC, freight and documentation end-to-end. You stay focused on growing the brand.