HS Code 01.04 – Sheep and goats; live

HS code 0104 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Sheep and goats; live. HS Code 0104 encompasses all live sheep and goats, covering a wide array of domestic ovine and caprine animals. This classification is vital for global trade in livestock, including animals intended for breeding, meat production, wool and mohair harvesting, dairy farming, and even landscape management. The scope is strictly limited to *live* animals, distinguishing them from their meat, wool, milk, or other products which are classified under different chapters. Key sub-categories within this heading include various breeds of sheep (e.g., Merino for wool, Dorper for meat) and goats (e.g., Saanen for dairy, Boer for meat, Angora for mohair). For trade compliance professionals, accurate classification under 0104 is critical due to stringent international animal health regulations, including concerns over diseases like Scrapie, Bluetongue, and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). Importers and exporters must navigate complex veterinary certificates, quarantine periods, and import permits. Historically, the movement of live sheep and goats has been fundamental to pastoral economies worldwide, and today, the trade in high-quality breeding stock is crucial for genetic improvement and diverse agricultural outputs. This heading is a key component of Chapter 1, 'Live Animals,' establishing the primary classification for commercially significant sheep and goat species.

Merino sheep for wool production, Dorper sheep for meat, Saanen dairy goats, Boer goats for meat, Angora goats for mohair, cashmere goats, lambs for fattening, breeding rams, breeding ewes, breeding bucks, breeding does, pygmy goats as pets, Barbados Blackbelly sheep, Suffolk sheep, Katahdin sheep, dairy goat kids, meat goat kids, sheep for grazing management, goats for brush control, Awassi sheep for milk, Karakul sheep, domestic sheep, domestic goats.

A common misclassification error involves confusing live sheep and goats with their derived products or deceased counterparts. For instance, classifying sheep or goat meat (0204) or edible offal (0206) under 0104 is incorrect, as 0104 strictly applies to *live* animals. Another frequent mistake is misclassifying raw wool (5101), mohair (5102), or goat's milk (0401) under this heading, as these are animal products and belong to different chapters. While 0104 covers domestic sheep and goats, traders might sometimes incorrectly classify certain wild ovine or caprine species (e.g., wild ibex, mouflon) under this heading, whereas they typically fall under 0106 ('Other live animals'). The definitive boundary is the 'live' aspect and the explicit inclusion of 'sheep' and 'goats.'

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 0104 in UN Comtrade data were Iran (about $533M, 18% of world exports), Sudan (about $478M) and Somalia (about $423M). World exports came to about $3.0B, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 0104 in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($977M, 33% of world imports), Oman ($618M) and Kuwait ($136M). World imports came to about $2.9B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Qatar did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 85% of its imports here ($98M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.

HS code 0104 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 01 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (01) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (04) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.