3401 30 00 · 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
See the HS Explanatory Note to heading 3401, (III).
EU Combined Nomenclature · CN code · HS 3401.30
3401 30 00
3401 30 00: Liquid soap and body wash (retail): 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
Liquid soap and body wash (retail)
✓ Can be used in a customs declaration Data: EU Combined Nomenclature, in force from 1 January 2026 · checked on 24 October 2026
- 3401 Soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for use as soap, in the form of bars, cakes, moulded 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:
- 3401 30 00 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
What you pay
Importing into EU
Customs duty 4% standard rate depends on the country of origin
Additional duties and charges 2 additional measures Import requirements: 4 VAT standard rate of the member state of import, 17% to 27%
Duty calculatorCalculate duty and taxes → Additional duties and import rules
Charges on top of the customs duty, and rules the goods must meet at the border.
Additional duties and charges 3
- Duty on low-value parcelsLow-value consignment customs duty 3 EUR
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- In force
- until 31 October 2026
- Legal act
- Regulation 0382/26
- Duty on low-value parcelsLow-value consignment customs duty 3 EUR
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- In force
- from 1 November 2026
- Legal act
- Regulation 0382/26
- Handling feeUnion handling fee 2 EUR
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- In force
- from 1 November 2026
- Legal act
- Regulation 2108/26
- Documents
- Y126 Goods sold in distance sales
Import requirements 5
- Import controlImport control - CITES
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- Regulation 0966/23
- Import controlImport control - Waste
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- Regulation 1157/24
- Documents
- C672 Information document accompanying shipments of waste as mentioned in Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 – Article 18 and Annex VII
- C669 Notification document as mentioned in Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 - Article 5 and Annex IA
- Y923 Product not subjected to the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157
- C670 Movement document as mentioned in Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 – Article 5 and Annex IB
- Import control
- Applies to goods from
- Belarus, Ukraine
- Legal act
- Regulation 0765/06, Regulation 0692/14
- Documents
- Y727 The prohibitions defined in article 1ra paragraph 1 of Council Regulation (EU) No 765/2006 do not apply (see exemptions in article 1ra paragraph 3)
- Y728 The prohibitions defined in article 1ra paragraph 1 of Council Regulation (EU) No 765/2006 do not apply (see exemptions in article 1ra paragraph 4)
- L152 Import authorisation by virtue of article 1ra paragraph 10 of Council Regulation (EU) 765/2006
- Y870 Goods entered the territory of the customs union of the EU and presented to customs authorities prior to the entry into force or to applicability date of the present sanction, whichever is latest (see Article 8f of Regulation (EU) No 765/2006)
- Y997 Goods not originating from or destined to Crimea or Sevastopol (Articles 2 and 2b.1 of Council Regulation (EU) No 692/2014)
- N864 Invoice declaration or origin declaration made out by any exporter on invoice or any other commercial document
- N954 Movement certificate EUR.1
- Import control
- Applies to goods from
- Russia
- In force
- until 31 December 2027
- Legal act
- Regulation 0833/14
- Documents
- L142 Import authorisation by virtue of article 3i paragraph 3c of Council Regulation (EU) 833/2014
- Y874 The prohibitions defined in article 3i.1 of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 do not apply (see exemptions in article 3i.3aa)
- L143 Import authorisation by virtue of article 12b.2 of Council Regulation (EU) 833/2014
- Y859 Goods entered the territory of the customs union of the EU and presented to customs authorities prior to the entry into force or to applicability date of the present sanction, whichever is latest (see Article 12e of Regulation (EU) No 833/2014)
- Import control
- Applies to goods from
- Ukraine
- Legal act
- Regulation 0263/22
- Documents
- Y984 Goods not originating from or not destined for the non-government controlled areas of Ukraine in the oblasts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia
- N954 Movement certificate EUR.1
- N864 Invoice declaration or origin declaration made out by any exporter on invoice or any other commercial document
Export measures 3
Prohibitions, licences, controls and sanctions that apply when these goods leave the EU.
| Export measures | Destination | Legal act | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export control on dangerous chemicals | ERGA OMNES | Regulation 0649/12 | 8 May 2023 |
| Export control - CITES | All third countries | Regulation 0966/23 | 20 May 2023 |
| Export control - Waste | All third countries | Regulation 1157/24 | 21 May 2026 |
TARIC data as of 7 November 2026
Import VAT in the EU member states
The rate each member state applies to goods of this code, from the Commission’s Taxes in Europe Database. A reduced rate can cover only part of the goods under a code: check the national VAT law.
-
Austria 20% -
Belgium 21% -
Bulgaria 20% -
Croatia 25% -
Cyprus 19% -
Czechia 21% -
Denmark 25% -
Estonia 9% reduced rate -
Finland 25.5% -
France 20% -
Germany 19% -
Greece 6% reduced rate -
Hungary 27% -
Ireland 23% -
Italy 5% reduced rate -
Latvia 21% -
Lithuania 21% -
Luxembourg 17% -
Malta 18% -
Netherlands 21% -
Poland 23% -
Portugal 23% -
Romania 21% -
Slovakia 23% -
Slovenia 22% -
Spain 21% -
Sweden 25%
TEDB · 7 November 2026
Preferential rates by country
| Agreement or scheme | Countries | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| standard rate (no agreement) | — | 4% |
| GSP-EBA (Special arrangement for the least-developed countries - Everything But Arms) | Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin and 42 moreAfghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo - Kinshasa, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia | Free |
| CARIFORUM | Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize and 10 moreAntigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago | Free |
| OCTs (Overseas Countries and Territories) | Antarctica, Aruba, Caribbean Netherlands, Curaçao and 8 moreAntarctica, Aruba, Caribbean Netherlands, Curaçao, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories, Greenland, New Caledonia, Sint Maarten, St Barthélemy, St Pierre & Miquelon, Wallis & Futuna | Free |
| GSP - General arrangements | Congo - Brazzaville, Cook Islands, India, Indonesia and 7 moreCongo - Brazzaville, Cook Islands, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Micronesia, Nigeria, Niue, Syria, Tajikistan, Vanuatu | Free |
| GSP+ (incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance) | Bolivia, Cape Verde, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and 4 moreBolivia, Cape Verde, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan | Free |
| Central America | Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama | Free |
| Mercosur | Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay | Free |
| SADC EPA | Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia | Free |
| EEA - European Economic Area | Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway | Free |
| Eastern and Southern Africa States | Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe | Free |
| EU–Andorra customs union | Andorra | Free |
| EU–Albania agreement | Albania | Free |
| EU–Bosnia & Herzegovina agreement | Bosnia & Herzegovina | Free |
| EU–Canada agreement | Canada | Free |
| EU–Switzerland agreement | Switzerland | Free |
| EU–Côte d’Ivoire agreement | Côte d’Ivoire | Free |
| EU–Chile agreement | Chile | Free |
| EU–Cameroon agreement | Cameroon | Free |
| EU–Colombia agreement | Colombia | Free |
| EU–Algeria agreement | Algeria | Free |
| EU–Ecuador agreement | Ecuador | Free |
| EU–Egypt agreement | Egypt | Free |
| Preferential origin in accordance with the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco on the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part. | Western Sahara | Free |
| EU–Fiji agreement | Fiji | Free |
| EU–Faroe Islands agreement | Faroe Islands | Free |
| EU–United Kingdom agreement | United Kingdom | Free |
| EU–Georgia agreement | Georgia | Free |
| EU–Ghana agreement | Ghana | Free |
| EU–Israel agreement | Israel | Free |
| EU–Jordan agreement | Jordan | Free |
| EU–Japan agreement | Japan | Free |
| EU–South Korea agreement | South Korea | Free |
| EU–Lebanon agreement | Lebanon | Free |
| EU–Morocco agreement | Morocco | Free |
| EU–Moldova agreement | Moldova | Free |
| EU–Montenegro agreement | Montenegro | Free |
| EU–North Macedonia agreement | North Macedonia | Free |
| EU–Mexico agreement | Mexico | Free |
| EU–New Zealand agreement | New Zealand | Free |
| EU–Peru agreement | Peru | Free |
| EU–Papua New Guinea agreement | Papua New Guinea | Free |
| EU–Palestinian Territories agreement | Palestinian Territories | Free |
| EU–Serbia agreement | Serbia | Free |
| EU–Singapore agreement | Singapore | Free |
| EU–San Marino customs union | San Marino | Free |
| EU–Tunisia agreement | Tunisia | Free |
| EU–Türkiye customs union | Türkiye | Free |
| EU–Ukraine agreement | Ukraine | Free |
| EU–United States agreement | United States | Free |
| EU–Vietnam agreement | Vietnam | Free |
| EU–Samoa agreement | Samoa | Free |
| EU–Kosovo agreement | Kosovo | Free |
| EU–South Africa agreement | South Africa | Free |
EU: imports by month · HS 3401.30
last 12 months€451.5m+4.7% · previous 12 months
Average import price€4.20 per kg
Preferential rate47%
Main suppliers, last 12 months
| Country | Value | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
 United Kingdom | €125.2m | 27.7% | +1.4% |
 South Korea | €68.9m | 15.3% | +51.2% |
 Switzerland | €67.8m | 15% | -6% |
 China | €62.7m | 13.9% | +14.2% |
 United States | €47.4m | 10.5% | -20.7% |
 Canada | €16m | 3.5% | +13.5% |
 Australia | €15.7m | 3.5% | +45.5% |
 Türkiye | €14.3m | 3.2% | -32.8% |
Same subheading in other tariffs
UK 4% Third-country duty 1 tariff line Türkiye 4% Third-country duty 1 tariff line USA Free – 4% General (MFN) 2 tariff lines · average 2% Canada 6.5% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Mexico 25% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Brazil 16.2% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Argentina 18% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Peru 6% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
New Zealand 5% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Japan Free General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Taiwan 4% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
GCC 5% General (MFN) 1 tariff line Switzerland Free General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Norway Free General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
North Macedonia 6.5% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Nigeria 35% General (MFN) 1 tariff line Binding rulings for similar goods
Decisions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CROSS) and HMRC (Advance Tariff Rulings) on goods classified here. A ruling binds only its holder, but shows how the authorities classify similar goods. The descriptions are the authorities’ own, in English.
- N355536 U.S. CBP
The classification, country of origin, marking, and applicability of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (UKFTA) of DR. MELAXIN MELTING CLEANSER 150ML
- N354787 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of Resurfacing Gelo Cleanser from South Korea
- N353676 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of a face cream, face serum, shower gel, cream deodorant, and hand salve from Bulgaria
- N350273 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of Hydrating Body Wash from Vietnam
- 600015612 HMRC
A renewal oil to use and clean the skin that can also be used for makeup removal. Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Olus Oil C9-12-Isoalkanes Acanthosicyos Horridus Seed Oil Avena Sativa Kernel Oil Caryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil Coco-Caprylate/Caprate Glyceryl…
- 600014189 HMRC
Natural Hand Wash With Botanical Blend. A liquid used for washing hands. Put up for retail sale. 500ml Ingredients: Aqua, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Betaine, Citric Acid, Sodium Pca, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate,…
- 600012907 HMRC
Bath & Body Collection packaged inside a metal tin, with hand drawn floral print . Travel-sized toiletries for the skin. 1 x Rollerball Fragrance 20 ml, 1 x Body Butter 50 ml, 1 x Body Wash 100 ml, 1 x Body Scrub Bar 50g
- 600012729 HMRC
A body wash, used to lather into wet skin in the bath or shower to clean the body. It is in a 500ml (16.9 fl oz) bottle. Ingredients: Aqua, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Vitis Vinefera Fruit Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Lactic Acid, Glyceryl Oleate, Parfum, Sodium…
48 rulings in total for this code
Legal notes
Notes
1. This chapter does not cover:
(a) edible mixtures or preparations of animal, vegetable or microbial fats or oils of a kind used as mould release preparations (heading 1517);
(b) separate chemically defined compounds; or
(c) shampoos, dentifrices, shaving creams and foams, or bath preparations, containing soap or other organic surface-active agents (heading 3305, 3306 or 3307).
2. For the purposes of heading 3401, the expression ‘soap’ applies only to soap soluble in water. Soap and the other products of heading 3401 may contain added substances (for example, disinfectants, abrasive powders, fillers or medicaments). Products containing abrasive powders remain classified in heading 3401 only if in the form of bars, cakes or moulded pieces or shapes. In other forms, they are to be classified in heading 3405 as ‘scouring powders and similar preparations’.
3. For the purposes of heading 3402, ‘organic surface-active agents’ are products which, when mixed with water at a concentration of 0,5 % at 20 °C and left to stand for one hour at the same temperature:
(a) give a transparent or translucent liquid or stable emulsion without separation of insoluble matter; and
(b) reduce the surface tension of water to 4,5 × 10–2 N/m (45 dyn/cm) or less.
4. In heading 3403, the expression ‘petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals’ applies to the products defined in note 2 to Chapter 27.
5. In heading 3404, subject to the exclusions provided below, the expression ‘artificial waxes and prepared waxes’ applies only to:
(a) chemically produced organic products of a waxy character, whether or not water-soluble;
(b) products obtained by mixing different waxes;
(c) products of a waxy character with a basis of one or more waxes and containing fats, resins, mineral substances or other materials.
The heading does not apply to:
(a) products of heading 1516, 3402 or 3823, even if having a waxy character;
(b) unmixed animal waxes or unmixed vegetable waxes, whether or not refined or coloured, of heading 1521;
(c) mineral waxes or similar products of heading 2712, whether or not intermixed or merely coloured; or
(d) waxes mixed with, dispersed in or dissolved in a liquid medium (headings 3405, 3809, etc.).
CN Explanatory Notes
The European Commission's explanatory notes on how to classify goods in these CN codes. They are not legally binding but customs authorities follow them; they complement the HS Explanatory Notes of the World Customs Organization.
Explanatory Notes to the Combined Nomenclature of the European Union, Official Journal C (consolidated text and later amendments) · © European Union
This line in earlier years
The Combined Nomenclature of each year, as published in the Official Journal: description, third-country duty and supplementary unit.
| Year | Description | Third-country duty | Supplementary unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 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 | 4% | — |
| 2025 | unchanged | 4% | — |
| 2024 | unchanged | 4% | — |
| 2023 | unchanged | 4% | — |
| 2022 | unchanged | 4% | — |
| 2021 | unchanged | 4% | — |
| 2020 | unchanged | 4% | — |
| 2019 | 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 | 4% | — |
In the EU Combined Nomenclature, 3401 30 00 is one of 1 line under subheading 3401.30, organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the….
The third-country duty is 4%, and quantities are declared in —.
Goods from 153 countries can enter the EU at a preferential rate instead of the standard 4%; 153 of them pay no duty at all, for example under GSP-EBA or CARIFORUM.
In the 12 months to August 2026, the EU imported liquid soap and body wash (retail) (HS 3401.30) worth €451.5m (up 5% on the year before), at an average of €4.20 per kg; United Kingdom supplied 28%, followed by South Korea.
For the same subheading, the UK duty is 4%, the Türkiye duty is 4%, the US duty is 0%–4%, the Canada duty is 6.5%, the Mexico duty is 25%, the Brazil duty is 16.2%, the Argentina duty is 18%, the Peru duty is 6%, the New Zealand duty is 5%, the Japan duty is free, the Taiwan duty is 4%, the GCC duty is 5%, the Switzerland duty is free, the Norway duty is free, the North Macedonia duty is 6.5% and the Nigeria duty is 35%.
EU member states imported goods of subheading 3401.30 worth US$2.6bn in 2024; the largest supplier from outside the EU was the United Kingdom, and the United Kingdom ranked 1st with US$141m.
Questions and answers
What is the EU import duty for CN code 3401 30 00?
The third-country duty in the EU Combined Nomenclature is 4%; the supplementary unit is —. Preferential rates for goods from agreement countries, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.
Which countries get a lower rate on 3401 30 00?
153 countries have a preferential rate on this line, 153 of them at 0%, under GSP-EBA, CARIFORUM and OCTs and other arrangements. The rate applies only to goods that meet the rules of origin of the agreement, with proof of origin. Choose the country of origin on this page to see its rate.
Where does the EU import these goods from?
For subheading 3401.30 as a whole, the largest supplier from outside the EU in 2024 was the United Kingdom (US$141m), followed by the United States.
Typical products
Everyday names, not part of the legal text.