HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0102.31 – Buffalo; live, pure-bred breeding animals
HS code 0102.31 is the 6-digit subheading for buffalo, live, pure-bred breeding animals. It is used for murrah buffalo heifers, nili-Ravi breeding bulls, mediterranean buffalo cows, carabao breeding stock and swamp buffalo calves (for breeding).
What HS 0102.31 covers
This HS code covers live pure-bred buffalo specifically for breeding. Water buffalo are crucial livestock in many parts of the world, highly valued for their rich milk, lean meat, and significant draft power in agriculture. Trade in pure-bred breeding buffalo aims to improve herd genetics for specific traits like milk yield, meat quality, or disease resistance, particularly in regions where buffalo are a primary agricultural asset. Importers are often agricultural development projects, specialized dairy farms (e.g., for mozzarella production), or farmers seeking to upgrade their local buffalo populations. Exporters typically come from regions with well-established, high-quality buffalo breeds. Strict health protocols, detailed genetic records, and careful transport are paramount to protect these valuable animals.
- Covers
- Murrah buffalo heifers
- Nili-Ravi breeding bulls
- Mediterranean buffalo cows
- Carabao breeding stock
- Swamp buffalo calves (for breeding)
- River buffalo embryos
- Examples
- Mozzarella di Bufala dairy farms
- specialized buffalo breeding centers in India
- genetic improvement programs in Southeast Asia
- high-yield dairy buffalo farms
Codes often confused with 0102.31
Common mistake. Can be confused with 010239 (other live buffalo) if the pure-bred status or explicit breeding purpose is not clearly documented, impacting trade regulations.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 010231, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 010231 in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 99% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 76% of world imports. Mexico reports $135M of its chapter 01 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters. Nigeria reports $207M of its chapter 01 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Thailand $112M 99% of world exports
- 2 Australia $575K 0.5% of world exports
- 3 India $152K 0.1% of world exports
Mexico reports $135M of its chapter 01 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $113M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Vietnam* ~$86M 76% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Laos* ~$27M 23% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Malaysia $275K 0.2% of world imports
Nigeria reports $207M of its chapter 01 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $113M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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.
Brazil NCM codes for 0102.31 2
Brazil splits HS 0102.31 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 0102.31.10 Pure-bred breeding buffalo, pregnant or with calfPrenhes ou com cria ao pé
- 0102.31.90 Other pure-bred breeding buffaloOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 01.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0102.31
What is HS code 010231?
HS code 010231 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Buffalo; live, pure-bred breeding animals. This HS code covers live pure-bred buffalo specifically for breeding. Water buffalo are crucial livestock in many parts of the world, highly valued for their rich milk, lean meat, and significant draft power in agriculture. Trade in pure-bred breeding buffalo aims to improve herd genetics for specific traits like milk yield, meat quality, or disease resistance, particularly in regions where buffalo are a primary agricultural asset. Importers are often agricultural development projects, specialized dairy farms (e.g., for mozzarella production), or farmers seeking to upgrade their local buffalo populations. Exporters typically come from regions with well-established, high-quality buffalo breeds. Strict health protocols, detailed genetic records, and careful transport are paramount to protect these valuable animals.
What products fall under HS code 010231?
Murrah buffalo heifers, Nili-Ravi breeding bulls, Mediterranean buffalo cows, Carabao breeding stock, Swamp buffalo calves (for breeding), River buffalo embryos
What are common misclassifications for HS code 010231?
Can be confused with 010239 (other live buffalo) if the pure-bred status or explicit breeding purpose is not clearly documented, impacting trade regulations.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 010231?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 010231 in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($112M, 99% of world exports), Australia ($575K) and India ($152K). World exports came to about $113M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Mexico reports $135M of its chapter 01 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 010231?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 010231 in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $86M, 76% of world imports), Laos (about $27M) and Malaysia ($275K). World imports came to about $113M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Nigeria reports $207M of its chapter 01 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
How is HS code 010231 structured?
HS code 010231 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (01) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 010231?
Brazil splits HS code 010231 into 2 NCM codes: 0102.31.10 (Pure-bred breeding buffalo, pregnant or with calf), 0102.31.90 (Other pure-bred breeding buffalo). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.