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HSChapter 34
U.S. imports of non-ionic organic surface-active agents (HS 340242) totaled $23.0M in April 2026, traded with 40 countries.
Importers of Non-Ionic Organic Surface-Active Agents paid $906K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 5.9% on $15.3M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 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.
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.
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Monthly import values over time
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CANADA | $1.3M | $14.9M | +$13.7M |
| NETHERLANDS | $134K | $11.2M | +$11.0M |
| MEXICO | $2.2M | $8.3M | +$6.1M |
| GERMANY | $4.7M | $4.2M | -$486K |
| INDIA | $2.5M | $5.1M | +$2.6M |
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3402429000 | NONIONIC SURF ACT AGENTS,WHET OR NOT RETAIL, NESOI | $13.0M | 5.50% | $452K |
| 3402422050 | NONIONIC,FATTY SUBSTANCES,ANIMAL OR VEG ORG,NESOI | $4.5M | 7.68% | $229K |
| 3402422010 | FATTY SUBSTANCES,ANIMAL OR VEG ORIGIN,POLYETHERS | $2.1M | 4.33% | $73K |
| 3402422020 | ESTERS AND ETHER-ESTERS OF POLYHYDRIC ALCOHOLS | $2.1M | 7.40% | $119K |
| 3402421000 | NONIONIC AROMATIC OR MODIFIED AROMATIC SURFACANTS | $1.3M | 4.08% | $34K |
NONIONIC SURF ACT AGENTS,WHET OR NOT RETAIL, NESOI
NONIONIC,FATTY SUBSTANCES,ANIMAL OR VEG ORG,NESOI
FATTY SUBSTANCES,ANIMAL OR VEG ORIGIN,POLYETHERS
ESTERS AND ETHER-ESTERS OF POLYHYDRIC ALCOHOLS
NONIONIC AROMATIC OR MODIFIED AROMATIC SURFACANTS
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3402429500 | CATIONIC ORGANIC SURF ACT AGENTS, NON-IONIC, NESOI | $67.0M |
| 3402421000 | NONIONIC AROMATIC OR MODIFIED AROMATIC SURFACANTS | $8.7M |
CATIONIC ORGANIC SURF ACT AGENTS, NON-IONIC, NESOI
20.0M kg
NONIONIC AROMATIC OR MODIFIED AROMATIC SURFACANTS
1.8M kg
SURF-ACT PREP,WASH PREP,CLEAN PREP,RETAIL SALE NES
HS 340250
CANDLES, TAPERS AND THE LIKE
HS 340600
ORG. SUF0ACT PROD FOR WASHING SKIN, LIQ/CRM, RETAL
HS 340130
SOAP & OTH ORGANIC SURF ACT PROD, TOILET USE, BARS
HS 340111
SURFACE-ACTIVE, WASHING, ETC PREPARATIONS NESOI
HS 340290
SOAP & OTH ORGN SURF ACT PROD NOT TOILET USE,BARS
HS 340119
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $345K | $17.5M | +$17.2M |
| Texas | $3.8M | $13.4M | +$9.6M |
| New Jersey | $2.7M | $9.0M | +$6.3M |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOUSTON, TX | $2.6M | $13.3M | +$10.7M |
| BATON ROUGE, LA | -- | $9.8M | +$9.8M |
| LAREDO, TX | $1.6M | $7.7M | +$6.1M |