Clorox Wipes

🧼 Clorox Wipes & Disinfectant Products (Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies)

🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Clearance Strategy
📌 One, Product Definition and Classification: Do You Really Understand "Clorox Wipes"?

Clorox Wipes are typically consumer-grade disinfecting or cleaning wipes. In international trade, these products are not simply "wipes"; they are classified based on their chemical composition, packaging form, and primary function. The core distinction lies in whether the wipe is impregnated with alcohol/disinfectant or falls under general soap/detergent preparations.

Key Classification Criteria: 1. Disinfecting Wipes (Alcohol/Chemical) Wipes impregnated with alcohol or other disinfectants for killing bacteria/viruses. 2. General Cleaning Wipes: Wipes containing detergents or soaps, not primarily for disinfection. 3. Non-woven vs. Paper: The material composition (nonwovens, paper, felt) also influences the specific subheading.

⚠️ Critical Distinction:
- If the product is disinfectant wipes (e.g., Clorox Disinfecting Wipes) put up for retail sale, it falls under Chapter 38 (Insecticides, disinfectants, etc.).
- If the product is soap/detergent wipes (e.g., Clorox Clean-Up Wipes with soap), it may fall under Chapter 34 (Soap, surface-active agents).
- Note: In the provided DATA, specific HS codes for "Clorox" brand are not listed by name, but by product type. We must map the common types to the available codes.

📦 Two, HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority Comparison)

Based on the provided <DATA>, here are the relevant HS Codes for wipes and cleaning products. Note that "Clorox Wipes" usually refers to disinfecting wipes, but can vary.

| HS Code | Product Description | Applicable Scenario | Key Identifier | |--------|--------------------------|--------------------------| | 3808.94.50.10 | Other Wipes, other than paper wipes or nonwoven wipes, impregnated with alcohol or other disinfectants | Retail disinfecting wipes (non-paper/nonwoven base, e.g., textile/fabric base impregnated with alcohol/quaternary ammonium) | 🧴 Disinfectant Focus | | 3808.94.50.95 | Other Disinfectants: Other | Retail disinfecting products that don't fit specific sub-categories (e.g., pre-moistened non-woven wipes if not explicitly covered, or other disinfectant preparations) | 🦠 General Disinfectant | | 3401.19.00.00 | Soap and organic surface-active products... in the form of bars, cakes... and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent | Wipes impregnated with soap/detergent (not primarily disinfectant) or soap bars/cakes | 🧼 Soap/Detergent Focus | | 3401.20.00.00 | Soap in other forms | Liquid/cream soaps or other soap forms (less likely for "wipes" but possible for soap-based cleaning gels) | 🧼 Other Soap Forms | | 4823.90.67.00 | Of coated paper or paperboard: Other | Paper wipes (e.g., facial tissues, paper towels) NOT impregnated with disinfectant/soap (or if impregnated, but classified under paper articles if minor content) | 📄 Paper Articles | | 4823.90.10.00 | Of paper pulp | Articles of paper pulp (not typical for consumer wipes) | 📄 Paper Pulp |

🔍 Focus for Clorox Wipes:
Most "Clorox Wipes" (Disinfecting Wipes) are nonwoven materials impregnated with disinfectants.
- If nonwoven, they might seem to fit 3808.94.50.10 ("other than... nonwoven wipes"), which creates a classification conflict.
- Correction: 3808.94.50.10 explicitly excludes nonwoven wipes. Therefore, nonwoven disinfecting wipes often fall under 3808.94.50.95 (Other Disinfectants) or potentially 3401.19.00.00 if they are considered "nonwovens impregnated with detergent" (if the disinfectant is also a surfactant).
- However, looking at the provided DATA, 3808.94.50.10 is for non-paper/non-nonwoven (e.g., cotton gauze). 3808.94.50.95 is the catch-all for other disinfectants.
- Common Practice: Many disinfecting wipes (nonwoven) are classified under 3808.94.50.95 or sometimes 3401.19.00.00 if deemed as "nonwovens impregnated with detergent" (since many disinfectants are surfactants).
- For this guide, we will prioritize 3808.94.50.95 for general disinfecting wipes and 3401.19.00.00 for soap/detergent wipes, as these are the most relevant to the provided data.

💰 Three, 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Details (Detailed Breakdown)

✅ Applicable Country: United States (US)
✅ Origin: China (CN)
✅ Effective Time: 2025/2026 (Based on current USITC/USMCA/Section 301 status)

🎯 1. 3808.94.50.10 —— Disinfectant Wipes (Non-Paper/Non-Nonwoven Base)

Note: This code is for wipes like cotton-based disinfectant swabs, not standard Clorox nonwoven wipes.

📌 Explanation:
- This specific subtype of disinfectant wipes (often medical/industrial swabs) has a 0% tariff.
- Caution: If your Clorox wipes are nonwoven, this code may be incorrectly applied, leading to misclassification penalties.

🎯 2. 3808.94.50.95 —— Other Disinfectants (Including Most Nonwoven Disinfecting Wipes)

This is the most likely code for standard retail Clorox Disinfecting Wipes.

📌 Explanation:
- Total Tariff: 0.0% for China-origin goods.
- This is a highly competitive code with no additional Section 301 tariffs.
- Ensure the product is clearly labeled as a "Disinfectant" and not just a "Cleaner" to justify this heading.

🎯 3. 3401.19.00.00 —— Soap/Detergent Wipes or Bars

Use this for Clorox Clean-Up Wipes (if soap-based) or soap bars.

📌 Explanation:
- If the product is classified as a detergent wipe (not primarily a disinfectant) or soap bar, it attracts a 7.5% additional tariff.
- This is common for "Cleaning Wipes" that do not claim EPA-registered disinfectant status.

🎯 4. 4823.90.67.00 & 4823.90.10.00 —— Paper Wipes (Non-Impregnated or Minor Content)

Use this if the wipe is primarily paper and the disinfectant/soap content is negligible or if it's a plain paper towel.

📌 Explanation:
- High Tariff: 25.0% for China-origin goods.
- Risk: Do not use this code for impregnated wipes if they should be classified under Chapter 38 or 34. Misclassification can lead to audits.

🛠️ Four, Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Practical Pitfall Avoidance Guide)

✅ 1. Preparation Checklist (Essential Documents)

✅ 2. Declaration Tips (Key Mantras)

🔥 "Disinfectant needs EPA, Soap needs 7.5%, Paper needs 25%"

📌 Critical Advice:
- EPA Registration is Mandatory: For any product claiming to "kill bacteria/viruses" (Disinfectant), the EPA registration number must be included in the entry summary. Failure to do so results in FDA/EPA hold.
- Labeling: Ensure the product label matches the HS Code description. If you declare as 3808 (Disinfectant) but the label says "Cleaning Wipe" with no kill claims, customs may reclassify to 3401 or 4823.

✅ 3. Special Cases Handling

🌍 Five, Global Major Market Comparison (2026 Latest)

📌 Conclusion:
- USA is the most tariff-friendly for disinfecting wipes (0% additional tariffs).
- EU and Japan have strict regulatory hurdles (BPR, PHS) which can delay entry more than tariffs.

📌 Six, Common Errors & Pitfall Guide (Lessons Learned from Tears)

❌ Error 1: Using 3808 code but failing to provide EPA Registration Number.
👉 Consequence: Goods held by CBP/FDA, released only after EPA verification, or rejected.

❌ Error 2: Classifying Disinfecting Wipes as 4823 (Paper) to avoid 3401 tariffs.
👉 Consequence: If discovered, 25% tariff + back taxes + penalties. Customs auditors check for chemical impregnation.

❌ Error 3: Declaring "Cleaning Wipes" as 3808 without EPA claims.
👉 Consequence: Misclassification. May be reclassified to 3401 (7.5% tax) or 3402 (Surface Active Agents).

❌ Error 4: Ignoring "HazMat" shipping requirements for alcohol-based wipes.
👉 Consequence: Shipment rejected by carriers, high shipping fees, or safety fines.

✅ Correct Practice:

"Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Nonwoven, EPA Reg No. 12345-12, 30 Count, For Killing 99.9% of Viruses"

🎯 Seven, Conclusion: Professional Classification Saves Money!

🎯 Remember:

🔹 "Disinfectant + EPA + 0% Tax"
🔹 "Soap + 7.5% Tax"
🔹 "Paper + 25% Tax"

📌 Pro Tip:

Always verify the EPA Registration Number with the manufacturer. If your product is a "Cleaner" only, it may fall under 3401 or 3402, but if it is a "Disinfectant", 3808 is your best friend for US entry (0% tariff).

📣 Immediate Action:

📞 Contact your supplier for EPA Reg No.
📝 Ensure your invoice lists "Disinfecting Wipes"
🚀 File with HS Code 3808.94.50.95 for 0% Tariff

✨ Accurate classification starts with the right HS Code!
💼 Save every cent of tariff, clear goods faster!