HS Code 01.05 – Poultry; live, fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, ducks, geese, turkeys and guinea fowls

HS code 0105 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Poultry; live, fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, ducks, geese, turkeys and guinea fowls. HS Code 0105 specifically covers live domestic poultry, limited to fowls of the species Gallus domesticus (chickens), ducks, geese, turkeys, and guinea fowls. This classification is immensely significant for the global poultry industry, encompassing animals destined for breeding, egg production, meat production, or even ornamental purposes. The scope is strictly limited to *live* birds of these specific species, distinguishing them from poultry meat, eggs (other than live chicks/ducklings etc.), or other poultry products which are classified under different headings. Key sub-categories within this heading include day-old chicks (broilers, layers), pullets, breeding roosters, ducklings, goslings, and turkey poults. For trade compliance professionals, accurate classification under 0105 is critical due to severe international animal health concerns, particularly highly contagious diseases such as Avian Influenza (bird flu) and Newcastle disease. Importers and exporters must meticulously adhere to veterinary health certificates, stringent biosecurity protocols, and quarantine requirements to prevent disease transmission. Historically, the trade of live poultry has been fundamental for food security and agricultural development, and today, the movement of breeding stock and young birds is vital for efficient global poultry supply chains. This heading is a crucial component of Chapter 1, 'Live Animals,' establishing the primary classification for commercially significant domestic poultry species.

Day-old broiler chicks, laying hens (Gallus domesticus), fertile breeding roosters, Pekin ducks, Muscovy ducks, broiler turkeys, heritage turkeys, Toulouse geese, African geese, guinea fowl for meat, guinea fowl for insect control, pullets (young hens), ducklings, goslings, turkey poults, breeding ducks, breeding geese, breeding turkeys, show chickens, ornamental ducks, domestic fowls, live chickens, laying pullets, broiler breeders.

Common misclassification mistakes involve confusing live poultry with their derived products or deceased counterparts. For example, classifying poultry meat (0207) or edible offal under 0105 is incorrect, as 0105 strictly applies to *live* birds. Another frequent error is misclassifying birds' eggs, especially fertile hatching eggs, which fall under 0407 ('Birds' eggs, in shell, fresh, preserved or cooked'), not 0105, even though they contain live embryos. Additionally, other live birds not explicitly listed in 0105 (e.g., quails, pigeons, pheasants, ostriches) should be classified under 0106 ('Other live animals'), not 0105. The definitive boundaries are the 'live' aspect and the *specific* species enumerated in the heading.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 0105 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($744M, 17% of world exports), France ($518M) and the Netherlands ($480M). World exports came to about $4.4B, 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 0105 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($1.0B, 22% of world imports), Poland ($409M) and Germany ($402M). World imports came to about $4.6B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Germany reports $116M of its chapter 01 imports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.

HS code 0105 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 01 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (01) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (05) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.