Chapter 34: Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, “dental waxes” and dental preparations with a basis of plaster

Section VI — Products of the chemical or allied industries

7 headings · 48 total HS codes

Classification Notes for Chapter 34
Notes 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 (1517); b. Separate chemically defined compounds; or c. Shampoos, dentifrices, shaving creams and foams, or bath preparations, containing soap or other organic surface-active agents (3305, 3306 or 3307). 2. For the purposes of 3401, "soap" applies only to soap soluble in water. Soap and the other products of 3401 may contain added substances (for example, disinfectants, abrasive powders, fillers or medicaments). Products containing abrasive powders remain classified in 3401 only if in the form of bars, cakes or moulded pieces or shapes. In other forms they are to be classified in 3405 as "scouring powders and similar preparations". 3. For the purposes of 3402, "organic surface-active agents" are products which when mixed with water at a concentration of 0.5% at 20 ºC 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 3403, "petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals" applies to the products defined in Note 2 to Chapter 27. 5. In 3404, subject to the exclusions provided below, "artificial waxes and prepared waxes" applies only to: The heading does not apply 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. d. Products of 1516, 3402 or 3823, even if having a waxy character; e. Unmixed animal waxes or unmixed vegetable waxes, whether or not refined or coloured, of 1521; f. Mineral waxes or similar products of 2712, whether or not intermixed or merely coloured; or g. Waxes mixed with, dispersed in or dissolved in a liquid medium (3405, 3809, etc.).
HeadingDescriptionGeneral RateSub-codesFTAs
3401Soap; 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 detergent5%716 FTAs
3402Organic 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 34.015%1315 FTAs
3403Lubricating preparations (including cutting-oil preparations, bolt or nut release preparations, anti-rust or anti-corrosion preparations and mould release preparations, based on lubricants) and preparations of a kind used for the oil or grease treatment of textile materials, leather, furskins or other materials, but excluding preparations containing, as basic constituents, 70% or more by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals0%1415 FTAs
3404Artificial waxes and prepared waxes0%216 FTAs
3405Polishes and creams, for footwear, furniture, floors, coachwork, glass or metal, scouring pastes and powders and similar preparations (whether or not in the form of paper, wadding, felt, nonwovens, cellular plastics or cellular rubber, impregnated, coated or covered with such preparations), excluding waxes of 34.045%516 FTAs
3406Candles, tapers and the like5%116 FTAs
3407Modelling pastes, including those put up for children's amusement; preparations known as "dental wax" or as "dental impression compounds", put up in sets, in packings for retail sale or in plates, horseshoe shapes, sticks or similar forms; other preparations for use in dentistry, with a basis of plaster (of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate)5%117 FTAs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the import duty on soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, “dental waxes” and dental preparations with a basis of plaster in Australia?

Chapter 34 of the Australian Tariff covers soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, “dental waxes” and dental preparations with a basis of plaster. Duty rates vary by product — there are 7 headings in this chapter. Use the table below to find specific rates, or try our free calculator for an instant estimate.

Are there FTA concessions for Chapter 34 goods?

Yes, Australia has 17 Free Trade Agreements that may reduce duty on Chapter 34 products. Click on any heading below to see which FTAs offer preferential rates.

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