---
title: "3401 HSN Code | HSN Code for Soap; organic surface-active products in India"
description: "Know more about 3401 HSN Code with BUSY Accounting - HSN Tariff, GST Rates and case laws related to chapter 3401 covering Soap; organic surface-active products."
canonical: "https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3401/"
---

# HSN Sub-chapter 3401: Soap; organic surface-active products

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

Part of [Chapter 34: Soap, Washing Preparations, Waxes](https://busy.in/hsn/chapter-34/).

- Current GST rate: 5%
- Earlier GST rate: 18%

## HSN codes

| Code | Title |
| --- | --- |
| 34011110 | [Medicated Toilet Soaps](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34011110/) |
| 34011120 | [Shaving Soaps For Toilet Use](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34011120/) |
| 34011190 | [Toilet Soaps And Products](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34011190/) |
| 34011911 | [Industrial Soap Bars And Blocks](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34011911/) |
| 34011919 | [Soap Bars](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34011919/) |
| 34011920 | [Other Hookah/Gudaku Tobacco (Unbranded)](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34011920/) |
| 34011930 | [Soap Flakes/Chips/Powder](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34011930/) |
| 34011941 | [Soap Products\| Household Soaps](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34011941/) |
| 34011942 | [Soap Products\| Laundry Soaps](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34011942/) |
| 34011990 | [Soap Tablets/Cakes](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34011990/) |
| 34012000 | [Soap In Other Forms](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34012000/) |
| 34013011 | [Medicated Toilet Soaps](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34013011/) |
| 34013012 | [Shaving Cream/Gel](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34013012/) |
| 34013019 | [Other Toilet Soaps](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34013019/) |
| 34013090 | [Other Skin Washing Products](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-34013090/) |

## Frequently asked questions

### What products are classified under HSN 3401

It includes Soap; organic surface-active products

### What should my invoice and records include for Soap; organic surface-active products?

Include HSN, exact description, pack size/grade, quantity, and if pre‑packaged & labelled. Maintain purchase specs, test reports (where relevant), and job‑work challans for audit trail.

### Does packaging or branding change how GST applies to Soap; organic surface-active products?

Yes. Many food/agri goods are treated differently when sold as pre‑packaged & labelled retail packs versus loose/open packs. If Soap; organic surface-active products is sold in small pouches (e.g., 500 g) with an MRP and label, record that on the invoice. Loose bulk bags often follow a different treatment.

### How are warranty replacements of Soap; organic surface-active products handled?

If replacement is without consideration under a pre‑agreed warranty, issue a delivery challan and reference the original invoice/contract. If consideration is charged, raise a tax invoice. Keep serial/lot details for traceability.

### Any import/export nuance for Soap; organic surface-active products?

Exports are zero‑rated (with or without payment of IGST) subject to LUT/refund conditions. Imports may attract customs duties in addition to GST. Keep HSN‑wise description consistent across invoice, shipping bill and BOE.

### What are the e‑way bill and e‑invoice points while moving Soap; organic surface-active products?

Generate an e‑way bill when the consignment value exceeds ₹50,000, unless exempted for the transaction. E‑invoicing depends on turnover (AATO threshold as notified) for B2B supplies, not on the item itself.

## India's trade performance: HSN Sub-Chapter 3401 (FY 2024-25)

Source: TradeStat EIDB, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Values in ₹ Crore (FY 2018-19 to FY 2024-25).

- Exports: ₹1,374 Cr (+1.61% YoY) — 0.0371% of India's total exports
- Imports: ₹2,511 Cr (+98.32% YoY) — 0.0412% of India's total imports
- Trade balance: −₹1,137 Cr (Deficit); surplus rank #968 of 1233 sub-chapters
- Share of Chapter 34: 15.09% of its exports; import side 20.16%
- Rank within Chapter 34: #2 of 7 by export value; import-side #3

### Key metrics

- Export CAGR: 9.50% (FY 2018-19 to FY 2024-25, 7 fiscal years)
- National export rank: #334 of 1233 sub-chapters by export value (FY 2024-25)
- Peak growth year: +34.76% in FY 2020-21
- Contribution to Ch. 34: 15.09% of its exports (FY 2024-25)

## India export-import trade statistics: HSN Sub-Chapter 3401

7-year export and import data, FY 2018-19 to FY 2024-25, in ₹ Crore. Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry, TradeStat EIDB.

| FY | Exports (₹ Cr) | Exp share | Exp YoY | Exp % of Ch. 34 | Imports (₹ Cr) | Imp share | Imp YoY | Imp % of Ch. 34 | Trade balance | Exp rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| FY 2018-19 | 797.20 | 0.0347% | — | 18.41% | 939.71 | 0.0262% | — | 14.54% | −142.51 | #331 |
| FY 2019-20 | 828.96 | 0.0375% | +3.98% | 18.59% | 764.39 | 0.0228% | −18.66% | 12.61% | +64.57 | #316 |
| FY 2020-21 | 1,117.13 | 0.0519% | +34.76% | 21.30% | 1,318.24 | 0.0452% | +72.46% | 19.27% | −201.11 | #284 |
| FY 2021-22 | 1,018.48 | 0.0325% | −8.83% | 15.91% | 1,950.86 | 0.0427% | +47.99% | 20.60% | −932.38 | #356 |
| FY 2022-23 | 1,136.93 | 0.0314% | +11.63% | 15.26% | 1,948.25 | 0.0339% | −0.13% | 17.82% | −811.32 | #362 |
| FY 2023-24 | 1,352.45 | 0.0374% | +18.96% | 16.41% | 1,266.07 | 0.0225% | −35.02% | 12.82% | +86.38 | #333 |
| FY 2024-25 | 1,374.29 | 0.0371% | +1.61% | 15.09% | 2,510.88 | 0.0412% | +98.32% | 20.16% | −1,136.59 | #334 |

- CAGR (7-year): exports 9.50%/yr, imports 17.80%/yr (consistently Deficit)

## Key trade insights: HSN Sub-Chapter 3401 export-import analysis

### Consistent export growth: 9.50% CAGR over 7 years

India's exports under HSN Sub-Chapter 3401 have grown at a compound annual rate of 9.50% over 7 fiscal years, rising from ₹797.20 Crore in FY 2018-19 to ₹1,374.29 Crore in FY 2024-25.

### HSN Sub-Chapter 3401 ranked #334 among all 1233 sub-chapters by export value

In FY 2024-25, HSN Sub-Chapter 3401 ranks #334 out of 1233 sub-chapters by total export value. Within Chapter 34, it ranks #2 of 7. By trade surplus, it ranks #968 of 1233.

### FY 2020-21 was the strongest growth year for HSN Sub-Chapter 3401 exports

The strongest single-year export movement for HSN Sub-Chapter 3401 was recorded in FY 2020-21, when exports surged by 34.76% over the prior year.

### India records a trade deficit of ₹1,136.59 Crore in HSN Sub-Chapter 3401 goods

In FY 2024-25, India's imports of ₹2,510.88 Cr exceeded exports of ₹1,374.29 Cr, resulting in a trade deficit of ₹1,136.59 Crore — ranking #968 of 1233 by surplus magnitude.

### Import growth of 17.80% CAGR signals rising demand for Soap; organic surface-active products

India's imports under HSN Sub-Chapter 3401 have grown at 17.80% CAGR, reaching ₹2,510.88 Crore in FY 2024-25.

### HSN Sub-Chapter 3401 contributes 15.09% of Chapter 34 exports — ranked #2

Among the 7 sub-chapters under Chapter 34, HSN Sub-Chapter 3401 ranks #2 by export value — accounting for 15.09% of the chapter's total exports in FY 2024-25. On the import side, it holds 20.16% share (rank #3).

## Related Sub-Chapters in Chapter 34

Ranked by export value (FY 2024-25).

| Rank | HSN Sub-Chapter | Exports (FY 2024-25) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| #1 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3402: Surface-active agents](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3402/) | ₹5,472 Cr |
| #2 | HSN Sub-Chapter 3401: Soap; organic surface-active products (this hsn sub-chapter) | ₹1,374 Cr |
| #3 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3406: Candles & tapers](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3406/) | ₹824 Cr |
| #4 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3404: Artificial waxes](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3404/) | ₹687 Cr |
| #5 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3403: lubricating preparations](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3403/) | ₹629 Cr |
| #6 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3405: Footwear creams](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3405/) | ₹92 Cr |
| #7 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 3407: Modelling pastes and preparations](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3407/) | ₹32 Cr |

## Other sub-chapters

| Code | Title |
| --- | --- |
| 3402 | [Surface-active agents](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3402/) |
| 3403 | [lubricating preparations](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3403/) |
| 3404 | [Artificial waxes](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3404/) |
| 3405 | [Footwear creams](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3405/) |
| 3406 | [Candles & tapers](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3406/) |
| 3407 | [Modelling pastes and preparations](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-3407/) |