HS code · 2-digit chapter
HS Code 01 – Animals; live
What HS 01 covers
HS Chapter 01, titled "Animals; live," is a foundational classification in international trade, encompassing all live animals intended for various purposes such as food, breeding, sport, companionship, exhibition, or scientific research. This chapter broadly covers mammals, birds, fish, and certain invertebrates, provided they are in a living state. The scope is defined by the vitality of the animal; once an animal is no longer live, it typically falls under other chapters like 02 (Meat), 03 (Fish, crustaceans, molluscs, etc.), or 05 (Other products of animal origin), depending on its condition and intended use. Key sub-categories within this chapter are structured primarily by animal type, including 0101 for live horses, asses, mules, and hinnies; 0102 for live bovine animals; 0103 for live swine; 0104 for live sheep and goats; 0105 for live poultry; and 0106 for all other live animals not specified elsewhere, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles, and certain insects or fish. This classification is critical for trade compliance due to the significant non-tariff barriers and regulatory requirements associated with live animal trade. These include stringent sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, veterinary health certificates, quarantine protocols, import/export permits, animal welfare standards, and compliance with international agreements like CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) for protected species. Historically, the trade in live animals has been vital for global food security, agricultural development (breeding stock), and the burgeoning pet and exotic animal markets. Misclassification can lead to severe penalties, import rejections, and potential biological risks. The correct classification ensures adherence to animal health regulations, facilitates disease control, and accurately applies customs duties and trade agreement benefits.
- Covers
- Live cattle for beef production
- Breeding horses
- Dairy cows
- Live pigs for pork
- Sheep for wool
- Goats for milk
- Broiler chickens
- Laying hens
- Racing pigeons
- Ornamental koi fish
- Pet Labrador Retrievers
- Pet Siamese cats
- Zoo elephants
- Laboratory mice
- Breeding rabbits
- Live queen bees
- Silkworms for sericulture
- Exotic parrots
- Boa constrictors for zoos
- Ostriches for farming
- Pheasants for game reserves
- Live lobsters for consumption
- Live oysters for consumption
- Certain insects for biological pest control
- Alpacas for wool production
- Donkeys for farm work.
- Examples
A major US agricultural firm exports several hundred purebred Angus cattle from Texas, USA, to a ranch in Brazil for genetic improvement of their beef herds. These animals are transported via specialized cargo aircraft and require extensive veterinary health certifications and quarantine periods upon arrival. Day-old broiler chicks are routinely imported from the Netherlands by large poultry farms in Saudi Arabia to replenish their stock. The chicks travel by air freight in climate-controlled containers, necessitating swift transit and strict adherence to biosecurity protocols to prevent disease transmission. Pedigree French Bulldogs are shipped from a breeder in France to a pet store in Japan, catering to the high demand for companion animals. This involves meticulous health checks, microchipping, pet passports, and air travel in approved carriers, with customs clearance focusing on animal welfare and import permits. A pair of endangered Sumatran tigers is transferred from a conservation breeding program in a zoo in Germany to another zoo in Singapore as part of an international species survival plan. This highly specialized movement requires CITES permits, expert animal handlers, and custom-built transport crates, often via dedicated charter flights. Live juvenile salmon are exported from aquaculture facilities in Norway to sea farms in Chile for grow-out. These delicate aquatic animals are transported in oxygenated tanks via refrigerated sea cargo or air freight, demanding precise temperature control and water quality management to ensure their survival and health.
Headings in chapter 01 6
Codes often confused with 01
Common mistake. A common mistake when classifying under Chapter 01 is confusing live animals with animal products or dead animals. For instance, live cattle (0102) are frequently mistaken for beef carcasses or cuts (Chapter 02), which are subject to different tariffs, health regulations, and trade policies. Similarly, live lobsters or oysters intended for consumption (0106) are sometimes incorrectly classified under Chapter 03, which covers fish, crustaceans, and molluscs that are fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or in brine, but not live. Another frequent error is classifying dead animals not fit for human consumption, such as laboratory animal cadavers or animal waste, under Chapter 01 instead of Chapter 05 (e.g., 0511 for animal products not elsewhere specified). The crucial distinction is the 'live' condition; once an animal is processed or deceased, its classification fundamentally changes, leading to different customs duties, regulatory compliance, and potential CITES violations if endangered species are involved.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 01, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 01 in UN Comtrade data was France, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 11% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 France $3.8B 12% of world exports
- 2 Canada $2.7B 8.3% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $2.4B 7.4% of world exports
World total: $31.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $3.7B 11% of world imports
- 2 Italy $3.6B 11% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $2.0B 5.9% of world imports
World total: $33.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Questions about HS 01
What is HS code 01?
HS code 01 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Animals; live. HS Chapter 01, titled "Animals; live," is a foundational classification in international trade, encompassing all live animals intended for various purposes such as food, breeding, sport, companionship, exhibition, or scientific research. This chapter broadly covers mammals, birds, fish, and certain invertebrates, provided they are in a living state. The scope is defined by the vitality of the animal; once an animal is no longer live, it typically falls under other chapters like 02 (Meat), 03 (Fish, crustaceans, molluscs, etc.), or 05 (Other products of animal origin), depending on its condition and intended use. Key sub-categories within this chapter are structured primarily by animal type, including 0101 for live horses, asses, mules, and hinnies; 0102 for live bovine animals; 0103 for live swine; 0104 for live sheep and goats; 0105 for live poultry; and 0106 for all other live animals not specified elsewhere, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles, and certain insects or fish. This classification is critical for trade compliance due to the significant non-tariff barriers and regulatory requirements associated with live animal trade. These include stringent sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, veterinary health certificates, quarantine protocols, import/export permits, animal welfare standards, and compliance with international agreements like CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) for protected species. Historically, the trade in live animals has been vital for global food security, agricultural development (breeding stock), and the burgeoning pet and exotic animal markets. Misclassification can lead to severe penalties, import rejections, and potential biological risks. The correct classification ensures adherence to animal health regulations, facilitates disease control, and accurately applies customs duties and trade agreement benefits.
What products fall under HS code 01?
Live cattle for beef production, breeding horses, dairy cows, live pigs for pork, sheep for wool, goats for milk, broiler chickens, laying hens, racing pigeons, ornamental koi fish, pet Labrador Retrievers, pet Siamese cats, zoo elephants, laboratory mice, breeding rabbits, live queen bees, silkworms for sericulture, exotic parrots, boa constrictors for zoos, ostriches for farming, pheasants for game reserves, live lobsters for consumption, live oysters for consumption, certain insects for biological pest control, alpacas for wool production, donkeys for farm work.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 01?
A common mistake when classifying under Chapter 01 is confusing live animals with animal products or dead animals. For instance, live cattle (0102) are frequently mistaken for beef carcasses or cuts (Chapter 02), which are subject to different tariffs, health regulations, and trade policies. Similarly, live lobsters or oysters intended for consumption (0106) are sometimes incorrectly classified under Chapter 03, which covers fish, crustaceans, and molluscs that are fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or in brine, but not live. Another frequent error is classifying dead animals not fit for human consumption, such as laboratory animal cadavers or animal waste, under Chapter 01 instead of Chapter 05 (e.g., 0511 for animal products not elsewhere specified). The crucial distinction is the 'live' condition; once an animal is processed or deceased, its classification fundamentally changes, leading to different customs duties, regulatory compliance, and potential CITES violations if endangered species are involved.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 01?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 01 in UN Comtrade data were France ($3.8B, 12% of world exports), Canada ($2.7B) and the Netherlands ($2.4B). World exports came to about $31.9B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 01?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 01 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($3.7B, 11% of world imports), Italy ($3.6B) and the Netherlands ($2.0B). World imports came to about $33.6B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 01 structured?
HS code 01 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.