U.S. exports of Other Organic Surface-Active Agents (Amphoteric and Remaining Types) (HS 340249) totaled $6.3M in August 2026.
Importers of Other Organic Surface-Active Agents (Amphoteric and Remaining Types) paid $280K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 9.66% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Other Organic Surface-Active Agents (Amphoteric and Remaining Types) imports of $3.0M in August 2026 ran 29% above the year-to-date monthly average of $2.3M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataAmphoteric surfactants and any organic surface-active agents not captured by the anionic, cationic, or nonionic headings are classified under heading 340249, split between aromatic/modified-aromatic types (3402491000) and non-aromatic types (3402499000). Betaines, imidazoline-based amphoterics, and amine oxides — widely used in mild personal-care cleansers and industrial formulations for their low irritation profiles — are the primary trade items here. Because this heading functions as a catch-all for novel or hybrid surfactant chemistries, importers of new-to-market surfactant actives should consider requesting a CBP binding ruling to confirm classification before large-scale importation.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
150 import shipments a month
Cocamidopropyl betaine is an amphoteric surfactant that does not carry a permanent charge and is not anionic, cationic, or nonionic in the strict sense. It is generally classified under heading 340249 — specifically 3402499000 as a non-aromatic organic surface-active agent NESOI. Because CAPB is derived from coconut oil and has a modified amide structure, confirming its aromatic or non-aromatic character via a technical data sheet is important for line selection.
Heading 340249 covers the active surfactant compound itself — even if diluted in water or a carrier — when it is not blended with builders, chelating agents, fragrances, or other functional additives that would make it a 'preparation.' Once the product is a formulated mixture designed for a specific cleaning or washing application, it transitions to heading 3402.50 (retail) or 3402.90 (non-retail) as a preparation. The degree of formulation and the presence of non-surfactant functional ingredients are the key classification factors.
Subheading 7 of 7 in heading 3402
Subheading 340249 · $6.3M of $333.3M
ImportsExports
Imports
$3.0MYoY · free account
Exports
$6.3MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $25.3M of Other Organic Surface-Active Agents (Amphoteric and Remaining Types) and exported $69.5M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Trade Directory
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HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3402499000 | Organic Surf Act Agents, Other, Not Aromatic | $2.8M | 9.34% | 58.18% | $258K |
| 3402491000 | Organic Surf Act Agents, Other, Aromatic | $133K | 16.46% | 93.79% | $22K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3402499000 | Organic Surf Act Agents, Other, Not Aromatic | $5.8M |
| 3402491000 | Organic Surf Act Agents, Other, Aromatic | $497K |
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.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Canada and Singapore together take 45% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
39.1% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 9.66% of imports for consumption.