HS Code for Sponge: Guide to Find Cleaning Sponges

When we hear about a sponge, we often think about the soft, bouncy yellow item. The existence of sponges is unwittingly crucial for human lives because sponges are widely used for many applications. From cosmetics supplies to automotive products, a sponge is needed as a complementary item. No surprise that the sponge became one of the most searched commodities in the international market. To assist global trade for sponges, you are required to declare the Harmonized Standard (HS) code. So, let’s find out what the HS code for sponges is, the major trade actors, and how to find an accurate HS code for sponges. 

What are Sponges and Why are They Important? 

Before getting deeper into the HS code, we need to grasp the sponge products. Sponges are soft, bouncy items that are mostly recognized for cleaning equipment, but they can actually be found everywhere, including for cosmetic equipment. This item has a high porosity, which allows it to absorb water quickly and produce foam from soap or detergent. By using sponges, the cleaning or makeup process will be done easily. 

Initially, a sponge is made from a sea sponge. The application of the sea sponge started in the 8th Century by the Ancient Greeks and Romans. They used sponges for bath which made the sponges very popular in the Mediterranean region and spread across Europe during Rennaissance and the Middle Ages. Due to the huge demand for sea sponges, this creature was on the brink of extinction due to overfishing in the 1980s. These days, sea sponges are still sold, but in an expensive price because there are many risks for harvesting sea sponges in the sea. 

Due to the risks and high price, the popularity of sea sponges has faded, and people try to find a cheaper option. Thus, these creatures are being supplanted by synthetic or other natural sponge-like materials, such as plant-based materials. Nowadays, there are many options of sponges on the market. These are the common materials to make sponges. 

• Synthetic Sponge is a sponge product made from polyester or polyurethane (PU). These materials are derivative of plastics and are deemed to be more durable and have the capability to clean many types of surfaces, including dishwashing or cleaning cars. 
• Cellulose Sponge is a common sponge product made from natural material, wood pulp, or cotton. However, these sponges are more expensive than synthetic sponges, and they are more commonly used as body scrubs. 
• Loofah Sponge is a sponge made from a plant called luffa gourds, which is mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions. However, these sponges are quite tough, but it is effective for skin exfoliation or cleaning body parts. 
• Silicone Sponge is a type of synthetic sponge made from silicone materials, which is a derivative of rubber. These products are claimed to be more effective in cleaning the solid items, including cookware or other products. 
• Latex Sponge or Latex Foam is a type of sponge made from rubber or latex. The application of this sponge can be anything; it can be used as cosmetic equipment, such as a blender, or used as a cleaning sponge to wash dishes. 
• Natural Sea Sponge has become the most expensive sponge product due to its durability and soft than other sponges. People still used a sea sponge for their daily lives, mostly used for showering or body cleansing. Natural sea sponge is also biodegradable, which is more environmentally friendly than its synthetic counterparts. 

Common List of HS Codes for Sponges

After understanding the function and type of sponges, we can move to the HS code classification for sponges. As we know, the HS code is an important part of international trade that cannot be ignored. HS codes are the identification numbers for products transferred across borders. If there are any misclassifications or inaccuracy of HS code, it can lead to serious penalties. 

Classification of HS code for sponges is quite different than other products. The reason is that sponges are made from different kinds of materials. Nonetheless, sponges can be under a different chapter because they have many functions, including cleaning or cosmetic equipment. Here is the common list of HS codes for sponges from the World Customs Organization (WCO). 

Those HS codes for sponge are only composed of the 6-digit initial code for sponge products. To send products to other countries, we need to declare a national code, which typically consists of a 6- to 10-digit number depending on the destination country’s regulations. The additional code regulated for subsequent classification of products and make easier for customs agencies to identify what the products actually are. 

Top 5 Major Cleaning Sponge International Players

In order to grasp more about the cleaning sponge in the international market, you may need to look at the top major players to know the trade flow of these products. As we know, cleaning sponges are one of the products has huge demand on the market. These are the biggest exporters of cleaning sponges made from regenerated cellulose under the HS code 392114 in 2024. 

Source: UN Comtrade Database, accessed March 9, 2026

Those numbers show that Germany is the largest exporter of sponge made from cellulose with a total export value of more than 55 million USD. It is followed by Spain in the second position with a total export of more than 34 million USD. Those European countries are followed by China, the United States, and Mexico in the top 5 biggest exporters of sponges. 

Not only the largest exporters, but we also need to know where those countries are that buy the most of cellulose products. Here are the largest importing countries of cellulose sponge under HS code 392114 in 2024. 

Source: UN Comtrade Database, accessed March 9, 2026

The biggest buyers of cellulose products under HS code 392114 are the United States, with a total import value of more than 24 million USD. France follows in the second place with a total amount of import more than 19 million USD. The rest of the top 5 largest importers are the Philippines, Canada, and Italy. 

How to Find HS Code for Sponges

After figuring out the structure of the HS code for sponges and the largest exporters and importers, you need to grasp how to find the HS code for these products. The declaration of HS code for sponges is a compulsory, thus, the accuracy of the HS code is the determining factor for our products to enter the recipient country. No wonder that many products need to follow the HS classification rule to ensure the products are on the right code. 

In order to avoid the complexity of finding the HS code for sponge, there is an application called HSCodeMatch. This application is a game changer to find and matching the HS code with the products. For a better understanding of how to find the HS code for sponge using HSCodeMatch, we provide the step-by-step guide below. 

• First step: Access the HSCodeMatch application by tapping hscodematch.com on your selected browser to be directed to the homepage. Select Go to App on the right side of the page. Then, find HS Code Search and set the goods name, as well as the country of origin and destination country. From this example, we can use trade lanes between Spain and the Philippines. 

• Second step: Click the Search HS Code to find the most accurate HS code for sponge. In order to be more precise, you need to be able to describe the products on the menu. Then, you can find the HS code lists in the Philippines and choose the most accurate one in the first row. 

• Third step: Select the View Details to find the description and tariff rate for exporting cellulose sponge from Spain to the Philippines. In the HS Code Details page, you will find the description of the HS code to ensure that it aligns with the products. 

• Fourth step: Move to the bottom part of HS Code Details, where you will find lists of regulations in the Philippines. Then, on the right side of the page, there is an AI Assistant to assist you in finding the relevant information from the official government documents. 

In order to inform you about the AI Assistant from HSCodeMatch, we will provide several questions and answers about the trade lanes of cellulose sponge under the HS code 392114 from Spain to the Philippines. 

What are the import documentation requirements for cellulose sponge in the Philippines?

Similar to exportation to other countries, there are some required documents in the Philippines. Here is the list of documentation required by the Philippine government for importing cellulose sponges.  

• A commercial invoice is a detailed product description, value, and quantity of the sponge products. 
• Bill or lading or airway bill is one of the proofs of transportation service for sending the products. 
• An import entry declaration is a declaration required by the Bureau of Customs (BCC) through the Single Administrative Document or SAD. 
• Certificate of Origin is a document for declaring that the products are from a specific country under the same Free Trade Agreement with the Philippines. 
• Product certification for cleaning sponges is important because they come into contact with food. 
• Sanitary or phytosanitary permits are documents that contain plant-based materials. However, cellulose sponges are usually exempt from strict SPS measures unless they are blended with other untreated wood fibers. 
• Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) certification is for products under mandatory certification schemes. The examples of BPS certification are safety or quality standards. 

What labeling requirements apply to sponges under HS code 39211491 in the Philippines?

For exporting products under HS code 39211491, it follows the general labeling requirements. However, the exporters or importers must be aware of the sponge for washing dishes as food contact materials. Here are several labeling requirements for exporting sponge products to the Philippines. 

• Product identification is the identification of the materials’ composition and the manufacturer’s details of the sponges. 
• Safety Warnings are a description of the chemical residue if the product is dangerous for some occasions. 
• Usage instructions are a guide for the consumers, especially for food contact sponges. 
• Country of Origin is a document for non-food contact sponges. 
• Importer/Distributor Details is a description of who the importer and distributor of imported products, including sponges. 
• Product Description is a specific requirement to inform the consumers regarding the ingredients of sponges, for example, synthetic sponge or cellulose sponge. 

Are there any preferential tariff rates for cellulose sponge exports from Spain to the Philippines?

No, there are no preferential tariff rates for exporting cellulose sponge from Spain to the Philippines. The two countries have no Free Trade Agreement (FTA), therefore, the applicable tariff rate for exporting cellulose sponges are 7% based on the Most Favored Nation (MFN) regime which applies to other countries that do not have an FTA with the Philippines. 

Conclusion 

The HS code for sponges cannot be fixed in one chapter from the WCO. This is because sponges are made from many kinds of materials, including synthetic and natural materials. Thus, some sponges are included in Chapter 39 as plastic products, and some sponges are covered under Chapter 30 because they are used as medical products. For cleaning sponges, mostly covers within HS Chapter 39, and for the cellulose sponges, they are under the Heading 3921. Then, they can be classified further based on the character of materials. If the products are made from regenerative cellulose, the HS code is 392114. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the HS Code for Sponges

1. Do the Philippines and Spain have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)? 

No, Spain and the Philippines do not have an FTA. Therefore, the trade products from the two countries are subject to the non-preferential tariff or Most Favored Nation (MFN).

2. What is the tariff rate for exporting sponges from Spain to the Philippines? 

For exporting cellulose sponges under HS code 392114, it is subject to a tariff rate of 7%. This tariff rate is based on the MFN regime, which means it applies to all countries that do not have an FTA with the Philippines. 

3. What is the most determining factor for identify HS code for sponges? 

The most significant factor for identifying the HS code for sponges is the materials. It can even be included in different chapters based on the material of the sponges. The other factor is function, especially for sponge as cosmetic products and medical products. 

4. What is the HS code for cleaning sponges? 

HS code cleaning sponges vary based on the materials. For cellulose sponges, it is covered under HS code 392114 or 392119. For plastic derivative sponges, especially used for dishwasher covers under HS code 392490. 

5. What is the HS code for sponges used as cosmetics? 

HS code for sponges as cosmetic products is under 961620. Most of the sponge products in cosmetics are powder puff and a blender for facial makeup. 

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