Sles (sodium laureth sulfate)|HS Code

Sles (sodium laureth sulfate) harmonized system code

Product Overview Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) under HS Code 3402 is an anionic detergent and surfactant widely used in many personal care products and cleaning agents. This product is a clear to yellowish liquid, often varying in concentration, but typically found as a 70% solution in water. SLES is known for its exceptional foaming properties, high solubility, and ability to lower surface tension, allowing for effective cleaning and rinsing. Within the overarching HS Code 3402, SLES falls under the subcategory of "Organic surface-active agents, whether or not put up for retail sale," aligning with its role as a surfactant. Its commercial applications are extensive, ranging from use in shampoos, body washes, and toothpastes to laundry and dishwashing detergents. The value proposition of SLES lies in its excellent cleaning performance, cost-effectiveness, and versatility in formulation, providing a competitive edge in the cleaning and personal care industries. HS Code Classification & Trade Specifications HS Code 3402.11 specifically pertains to "Organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the form of liquid or cream," making it an appropriate classification for SLES. This code can be broken down hierarchically into Chapter 34 (Soap, organic surface-active agents), heading 02 (Organic surface-active agents), and subheading 11 (Products and preparations for skin washing). The classification rationale ties in with SLES’s role as an organic surface-active agent used in personal care and cleaning products. For trade, SLES is typically packaged in plastic containers or metal drums and must be sealed properly to prevent leakage during transportation. Shipping requirements often include storage away from extreme temperatures and avoiding exposure to direct sunlight. As per international trade standards, SLES should meet quality parameters such as appearance, concentration, pH level, and solubility. Following these guidelines ensures compliance with WTO and customs documentation standards, making the product suitable for international trade and customs classification.

Sles (sodium laureth sulfate) Chapter Note

1.- This Chapter does not cover : (a) Edible mixtures or preparations of animal, vegetable or microbial fats or oils of a kind used as mould release preparations (heading 15.17); (b) Separate chemically defined compounds; or (c) Shampoos, dentifrices, shaving creams and foams, or bath preparations, containing soap or other organic surface-active agents (heading 33.05, 33.06 or 33.07). 2.- For the purposes of heading 34.01, the expression “soap” applies only to soap soluble in water. Soap and the other products of heading 34.01 may contain added substances (for example, disinfectants, abrasive powders, fillers or medicaments). Products containing abrasive powders remain classified in heading 34.01 only if in the form of bars, cakes or moulded pieces or shapes. In other forms they are to be classified in heading 34.05 as “scouring powders and similar preparations”. 3.- For the purposes of heading 34.02, “organic surface-active agents” are products which when mixed with water at a concentration of 0.5 % at 20 C and left to stand for one hour at the same temperature : (a) give a transparent or translucent liquid or stable emulsion without separation of insoluble matter; and (b) reduce the surface tension of water to 4.5 x 10-2 N/m (45 dyne/cm) or less. 4.- In heading 34.03 the expression “petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals” applies to the products defined in Note 2 to Chapter 27. 5.- In heading 34.04, subject to the exclusions provided below, the expression “artificial waxes and prepared waxes” applies only to : (a) Chemically produced organic products of a waxy character, whether or not water-soluble; (b) Products obtained by mixing different waxes; (c) Products of a waxy character with a basis of one or more waxes and containing fats, resins, mineral substances or other materials. The heading does not apply to : (a) Products of heading 15.16, 34.02 or 38.23, even if having a waxy character; (b) Unmixed animal waxes or unmixed vegetable waxes, whether or not refined or coloured, of heading 15.21; (c) Mineral waxes or similar products of heading 27.12, whether or not intermixed or merely coloured; or (d) Waxes mixed with, dispersed in or dissolved in a liquid medium (headings 34.05, 38.09, etc.).