3402.90.30.00 - Containing any aromatic or modified aromatic surface-active agent

This HTS category, 3402.90.30.00, specifically covers organic surface-active agents and preparations that contain aromatic or modified aromatic surface-active agents, but are not classified as soap (heading 3401). This includes a wide range of products where the primary active component is an aromatic-based surfactant, used for their ability to reduce surface tension and facilitate cleaning, emulsifying, wetting, or dispersing. Examples include certain specialized industrial cleaners, textile auxiliaries, and emulsifiers where the surface-active agent is derived from aromatic compounds.

The key differentiator for this category lies in the chemical nature of the primary surface-active agent. Unlike other "other" categories within 3402.90, this code pinpoints those formulations where aromatic or modified aromatic structures are the defining characteristic of the surface-active component. For instance, if a preparation contains a significant amount of a benzene-ring-based surfactant, it would likely fall here, provided it does not meet the criteria for soap or other specific surface-active agent classifications.

As this is a leaf node, there are no further subdivisions. Classification within this code is determined by the presence of aromatic or modified aromatic surface-active agents as the principal functional ingredient in the preparation. The distinction from the sibling category 3402.90.50 ("Other") is crucial; the latter would encompass preparations containing surface-active agents that are *not* aromatic or modified aromatic in nature, or where the aromatic component is secondary or absent.