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HSChapter 34
U.S. exports of non-ionic organic surface-active agents (HS 340242) totaled $80.9M in July 2026.
Importers of Non-Ionic Organic Surface-Active Agents paid $1.4M in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 7.4% on $18.5M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Non-Ionic Organic Surface-Active Agents imports of $26.0M in July 2026 ran 10% above the year-to-date monthly average of $23.6M.
Last updated: July 2026 dataNon-ionic surfactants — valued for their compatibility with hard water, low foaming profiles, and stability across a wide pH range — are among the most versatile actives in detergent, agrochemical, and personal-care formulations. Heading 340242 is the most granular of the surfactant headings in the US schedule, with lines distinguishing aromatic types (3402421000), fatty-substance polyethers of animal or vegetable origin (3402422010), esters and ether-esters of polyhydric alcohols (3402422020), other fatty-substance nonionics (3402422050), and residual nonionics (3402429000 and 3402429500). Ethoxylated alcohols, alkyl polyglucosides, and sorbitan esters are common trade items, and the raw-material origin (animal/vegetable vs. petrochemical) is a key classification variable within this heading.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
934 shipments/mo
Lines 3402422010 and 3402422050 specifically cover nonionic surfactants derived from animal or vegetable fatty substances (e.g., coconut- or tallow-based ethoxylates). Petrochemical-derived nonionics — such as alcohol ethoxylates from synthetic feedstocks — would not qualify for those lines and instead fall under 3402429000 or the aromatic line 3402421000 depending on structure. Suppliers should provide feedstock origin documentation to support the correct line selection.
Sorbitan esters (Span series) and their ethoxylated derivatives (Tween/polysorbate series) are generally classified under 3402422020 as esters and ether-esters of polyhydric alcohols, provided they function as surface-active agents. However, polysorbates used as food emulsifiers may be classified under Chapter 34 or Chapter 38 depending on their primary use and presentation; a binding ruling from CBP is advisable for high-volume shipments.
Subheading 3 of 7 in heading 3402
Subheading 340242 · $26.0M of $194.8M
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HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3402429000 | Nonionic Surf Act Agents,Whet or not Retail, NESOI | $14.1M | 4.84% | 69.98% | $685K |
| 3402422020 | Esters and Ether-Esters of Polyhydric Alcohols | $3.8M | 5.34% | 66.84% | $204K |
| 3402422050 | Nonionic,Fatty Substances,Animal or Veg Org,NESOI | $3.7M | 6.45% | 74.27% | $240K |
| 3402422010 | Fatty Substances,Animal or Veg Origin,Polyethers | $2.4M | 4.74% | 83.78% | $115K |
| 3402421000 | Nonionic Aromatic or Modified Aromatic Surfacants | $1.9M | 6.68% | 64.85% | $124K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3402429500 | Cationic Organic Surf Act Agents, Non-Ionic, NESOI | $65.9M |
| 3402421000 | Nonionic Aromatic or Modified Aromatic Surfacants | $15.0M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
ImportsExports
Imports
$26.0MYoY · Pro
Exports
$80.9MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · July 2026
destination
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
28.9% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 5.27%.