3401 - Soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for use as soap, in the form of bars, cakes, molded pieces or shapes, whether or not containing soap; 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; paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent:

HTS Code 3401 encompasses a broad range of products primarily used for cleaning and personal hygiene. This category specifically includes soaps in solid forms such as bars, cakes, molded pieces, and shapes. It also extends to organic surface-active agents and preparations that function as soap, presented in these solid forms, even if they contain actual soap. Furthermore, the code covers paper, wadding, felt, and nonwoven materials that have been impregnated, coated, or covered with soap or detergent, making them ready for direct use in cleaning applications.

While the broader HTS Chapter 34 deals with a variety of washing preparations, soaps, and detergents, HTS Code 3401 is distinct in its focus on specific product presentations. Unlike other categories within Chapter 34 that might cover bulk detergents or industrial cleaning agents, 3401 centers on retail-ready soap products and integrated soap-infused materials. Its siblings in other chapters, such as those for textiles or paper products not treated with soap, would be classified separately based on their primary material and intended use, rather than their inclusion of a cleaning agent.

Within HTS Code 3401, further subcategories provide granular detail for classification. For instance, 3401.20.00.00 specifically addresses soap presented in forms other than the primary solid forms outlined in the broader description, allowing for variations in packaging or minor ingredient differences that still classify as soap. The subcategory 3401.30 is dedicated to organic surface-active products and preparations designed for skin washing, specifically when they are in liquid or cream form and packaged for direct sale to consumers, differentiating them from industrial-grade cleaning solutions.