CHAPTER 34 · LEGAL NOTES
Chapter 34
The 56 legal notes below govern classification under Chapter 34. They are part of the official Harmonized Tariff Schedule and are cited verbatim in CBP rulings.
As of June 9, 2026
Chapter notes
Note 1
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 mold release preparations (heading 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 (heading 3305, 3306 or 3307).
Note 2
Chapter Note 2: For the purposes of heading 3401, the expression "soap" applies only to soap soluble in water. Soap and the other products of heading 3401 may contain added substances (for example, disinfectants, abrasive powders, fillers or medicaments). Products containing abrasive powders remain classified in heading 3401 only if in the form of bars, cakes or molded pieces or shapes. In other forms they are to be classified in heading 3405 as "scouring powders and similar preparations".
Note 3
Chapter Note 3: For the purposes of heading 3402, "organic surface-active agents" are products which when mixed with water at a concentration of 0.5 percent at 20° 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.
Note 3
Chapter Note 3: 7%1/ 1 Unit Rates of Duty of Quantity Article Description Stat. Suffix Heading/ Subheading 1 2 General Special 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: 3402 Other organic surface-active agents, whether or not put up for retail sale:
Note 4
Chapter Note 4: In heading 3403 the expression "petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals" applies to the products defined in note 2 to chapter 27.
Note 5
Chapter Note 5: In heading 3404, 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) Goods of heading 1516, 3402 or 3823 even if having a waxy character; (b) Unmixed animal waxes or unmixed vegetable waxes, whether or not refined or colored, of heading 1521; (c) Mineral waxes or similar products of heading 2712, whether or not intermixed or merely colored; or (d) Waxes mixed with, dispersed in or dissolved in a liquid medium (headings 3405, 3809, etc.). Unit Rates of Duty of Quantity Article Description Stat.
footnote
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.90.08.
Applies to
See 9903.88.15.
Applies to
See 9903.88.69.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.90.08.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.90.08.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.90.08.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.90.08.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.90.08.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.02.
Applies to
See 9903.88.02.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.02.
Applies to
See 9903.90.08.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.90.08.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.88.03.
Applies to
See 9903.90.08.
Applies to
See 9903.88.15.
Applies to
See 9903.90.08.
Applies to
Classify under Chapter 34 with confidence
TariffLens applies the legal notes above automatically when classifying — citing the relevant note in every GRI reasoning chain.