3402.42.20
Fatty substances of animal, vegetable or microbial origin
This code covers organic surface-active agents, washing and cleaning preparations, and similar products based on fatty substances of animal, vegetable, or microbial origin. Use this code for importing these types of cleaning and surface-active products, keeping in mind a general duty rate of 4% applies, with potential free trade agreement benefits for eligible countries.

Detailed information for HTS Code 3402.42.20
Chapter 34 covers prepared waxes, lubricating preparations, and similar products, excluding specific edible mixtures and defined chemical compounds. Within this chapter, code 3402.42.20 specifically addresses organic surface-active agents—things like detergents and cleaning products—that aren't soaps, and are based on fatty substances of animal, vegetable, or microbial origin. This code has subdivisions—3402.42.20.10 for polyethers, 3402.42.20.20 for esters and ether-esters of polyhydric alcohols, and 3402.42.20.50 for all other fatty substance types—so use the suffix that best describes the specific chemical composition of the product being classified.
| Chapter | Chapter 34 - Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxe |
| Section | Section VI - Products of the Chemical or Allied Industries |
Duty snapshot
Quick reference for the duty outcomes tied to this HTS line.
4%
Standard trade partners (NTR)
Free (A, AU, BH, CL, CO, D, E, IL, JO, K, KR, MA, OM, P, PA, PE, S, SG)
Eligible FTA or preference programs
The general duty rate for HTS code 3402.42.20 is 4%, applying to imports from countries without a specified trade agreement. Special duty rates are free for goods originating from countries with eligible Free Trade Agreements or preference programs, including A, AU, BH, CL, CO, D, E, IL, JO, K, KR, MA, OM, P, PA, PE, S, and SG. These rates apply to all subdivisions—3402.42.20.10, 3402.42.20.20, and 3402.42.20.50—and must be reported in kilograms (kg). There is no information provided for other potential special rates or country-specific preferences.
Rate of Duty (Column 2): 16.5¢/kg + 30%
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Code subdivisions
3402.42.20.10
Organic surface-active agents (other than soap); surface-active preparations, washing preparations (including auxiliary washing preparations) and cleaning preparations, whether or not containing soap, other than those of heading 3401: > Other organic surface-active agents, whether or not put up for retail sale: > Non-ionic: > Other: > Fatty substances of animal, vegetable or microbial origin > Polyethers
3402.42.20.20
Organic surface-active agents (other than soap); surface-active preparations, washing preparations (including auxiliary washing preparations) and cleaning preparations, whether or not containing soap, other than those of heading 3401: > Other organic surface-active agents, whether or not put up for retail sale: > Non-ionic: > Other: > Fatty substances of animal, vegetable or microbial origin > Esters and ether-esters of polyhydric alcohols
3402.42.20.50
Organic surface-active agents (other than soap); surface-active preparations, washing preparations (including auxiliary washing preparations) and cleaning preparations, whether or not containing soap, other than those of heading 3401: > Other organic surface-active agents, whether or not put up for retail sale: > Non-ionic: > Other: > Fatty substances of animal, vegetable or microbial origin > Other
Chapter & section notes
Chapter notes
Section notes
Latest update
Last updated
November 15, 2025
Revised every January & July
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