HS Code 3401.20 : Soap in other forms
MODULE 2: EXTRACTABLE ANSWER (AEO / SPEAKABLE)
EN (Official WCO)
FR (Pending)
ES (Pending)
The 6-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for soap in other forms is 3401.20. Under the 2026 Nigeria (Customs Service), the representative MFN general duty rate is 35% [Nigeria Customs Service].
MODULE 3: SIGNATURE A: HS DECODE VISUAL HIERARCHY
Chapter 34
Soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for use as soap, in the form of bars, cakes, molded 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
Heading 3401
Soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for use as soap, in the form of bars, cakes, molded 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
Subheading .20
.20
Soap in other forms
MODULE 4: SIGNATURE B: TARIFF MATRIX
Import Duty Rates by Destination
United StatesUnited KingdomEuropean UnionCanadaMexicoChinaJapanIndiaAustraliaSouth KoreaGermanyBrazilTürkiyeChinese TaipeiVietnamThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaSingaporeSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesSouth AfricaEgyptIsraelChileColombiaPeruPhilippinesPakistanNew ZealandNorwayNigeriaKenyaMoroccoArgentinaEcuadorBangladeshUkraineKazakhstanQatarKuwaitOmanJordanBahrainSri LankaTunisiaGhanaCôte d'IvoireGeorgiaCambodiaPanamaCosta RicaDominican Republic
Nigeria (Nigeria Customs Service)
3401.20
MODULE 5: NIGERIA IMPORT DUTY & VAT BREAKDOWN
Notice: Nigerian customs clearance, ECOWAS CET classification, MFN rates, and 7.5% VAT are governed by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). Always verify declarable lines with NCS prior to import.
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MODULE 6: Mandatory Customs Entry Document Matrix
Rule-Derived Customs Entry Package Checklist
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Commercial Invoice
Itemized description, currency, Incoterms, seller/buyer details, and country of origin.
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Packing List & Bill of Lading
Gross/net weight, container/seal numbers, piece count, and transport B/L or Air Waybill.
PREFERENTIAL RULE
Certificate of Origin (If Claiming FTA)
Required only when claiming zero-duty preference under USMCA, KORUS, or GSP.
MODULE 7: Regulatory Compliance & Partner Government Agency (PGA) Flags
Standard Entry
This commodity does not carry mandatory PGA pre-clearance flags under the ACE message set.
MODULE 8: Trade Remedies (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD)
China Section 301 Tariff Status
0% Additional Duty (Exempt)
Section 232 Steel/Aluminum Status
Exempt (Non-Metal Commodity)
EU CBAM Carbon Alert
Not in Scope
MODULE 9: Free Trade Agreements (FTA) & Rules of Origin (RoO)
Browse all preferential trade calculators & compliance tools in our Customs Tools Hub ↗.
| Agreement Code | Trade Agreement / Program | Preferential Rate | Rules of Origin (RoO) Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) | Free | Must meet USMCA Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff shift rules. |
| KR | U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) | Free | Direct shipment from South Korea with KORUS Certificate of Origin. |
| AU | U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement | Free | Wholly obtained or tariff shift rule under US-Australia FTA. |
| A / D | GSP / African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA) | Free | 35% local value-add requirement for beneficiary country origin. |
MODULE 10: Logistics, Freight & Transport Specifications
Standard 20ft Container
~28 CBM / 28,000 kg Payload
Standard 40ft High-Cube
~68 CBM / 28,600 kg Payload
Stowage Factor & Handling
Standard commercial packaging for Soap in other forms
MODULE 11: Nigeria Customs Advance Ruling System
Legally binding advance tariff rulings issued by Nigeria Customs Service for HS 3401.20.
Query official NCS portal:
Search NCS Portal for 3401.20 →Nigeria Tariff Schedule (3401.20)
National line-level (8/10-digit) detail for Nigeria (Customs Service): coverage in progress.
Universal 6-digit WCO backbone applied rate: 35%. Confirm the full national commodity code at the official source (Nigeria Customs Service).
MODULE 12: Candidate Subheadings & Related Codes
| Related HS Code | Heading Category | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 3401.11 | Subheading under Heading 3401 | Compare Subheading 3401.11 → |
| 3401.19 | Subheading under Heading 3401 | Compare Subheading 3401.19 → |
| 3401.30 | Subheading under Heading 3401 | Compare Subheading 3401.30 → |
Official Primary Sources & Authority References
Nigeria Customs Service Portal ↗
Official Nigeria Customs Service tariff schedule, 7.5% VAT, and ECOWAS CET rules.
Nigeria Customs Advance Ruling System ↗
Nigeria Customs Service official binding advance classification rulings database.
MODULE 14: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Operational Guide
What is the 6-digit WCO tariff classification and United States (USITC HTS) general duty for Soap in other forms?
Under WCO Harmonized System 2022 and United States (USITC HTS), Soap in other forms is classified under HS 3401.20 (Heading 3401, Chapter 34). The representative NG MFN general duty rate is 35%.
How is HS 3401.20 distinguished within Heading 3401 (Soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for use as soap, in the form of bars, cakes, molded 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)?
Heading 3401 covers Soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for use as soap, in the form of bars, cakes, molded 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. Subheading 3401.20 specifically isolates Soap in other forms. Importers must verify whether physical characteristics, processing state, or composition require alternative subheadings under Heading 3401.
What are the primary candidate subheadings related to HS 3401.20?
Related subheadings under Heading 3401 include 3401.11, 3401.19, 3401.30. Classification depends on processing stage, decaffeination, purity, or material form.
What mandatory commercial entry documents are required to import Soap in other forms?
Commercial Invoice (detailing Incoterms, currency, and origin), Packing List, Bill of Lading (or Air Waybill), CBP Form 7501 Entry Summary, and a continuous customs bond are required for formal entries.
Can goods under HS 3401.20 enter duty-free under USMCA or Free Trade Agreements?
Yes. Eligible goods originating in Mexico, Canada, South Korea, or Australia enter duty-free under preference SPI codes (P, KR, AU) provided they satisfy Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff-shift rules with a valid Certificate of Origin.
What is the US formal entry threshold for shipments of Soap in other forms?
Commercial shipments of Soap in other forms with a customs value exceeding $2,500 USD require formal customs entry (CBP Form 7501) and a continuous entry bond. Informal entry applies to lower values.
How can an importer obtain a binding CBP classification ruling for HS 3401.20?
Importers may submit an e-Ruling request under 19 CFR Part 177 to CBP National Commodity Specialist Division (NCSD) to obtain a legally binding tariff classification ruling prior to importation.
What import VAT or sales tax applies to HS 3401.20 in Nigeria?
Commercial imports of Soap in other forms under HS 3401.20 into Nigeria are subject to 7.5% VAT, assessed on the entered customs value plus applicable duties.
What is the customs duty de minimis threshold in Nigeria?
The customs de minimis threshold for import shipments into Nigeria is Low-value threshold. Consignments under this value may qualify for duty-free or simplified entry under local regulations.
Which authority regulates customs entry and tariff classification in Nigeria?
Customs declarations, import duty assessments, and Nigeria Customs Advance Ruling System for HS 3401.20 are administered by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
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