True soap is defined as the alkali salt of fatty acids and is classified under HTS heading 3401, while synthetic detergents — which may contain no soap at all — are classified under heading 3402. The distinction matters because the two headings carry different duty rates and may have different Section 301 exposure depending on origin.

Yes. Many HTS subheadings under Chapter 34 distinguish between products put up for retail sale and those in bulk or industrial packaging. Bulk surfactant concentrates, for example, may be classified at a different 10-digit line than the same formulation packaged in consumer-size containers, affecting both duty rates and statistical reporting.