HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0203.12 – Meat; of swine, hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, with bone in, fresh or chilled
HS code 0203.12 is the 6-digit subheading for meat, of swine, hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, with bone in, fresh or chilled. It is used for fresh bone-in pork ham, chilled bone-in pork shoulder, fresh bone-in pork leg, chilled bone-in pork butt and fresh bone-in pork loin.
What HS 0203.12 covers
This HS code covers specific, larger cuts of fresh or chilled pork, primarily hams and shoulders, that still retain the bone. This category is highly valued in culinary traditions where bone-in cuts are preferred for flavor and specific cooking methods, such as traditional curing or slow roasting. Countries with a strong demand for these specific cuts, often for further processing into cured hams (like Prosciutto or Jamón Serrano) or for direct retail, are significant importers. Examples include Italy, Spain, and other European nations, as well as markets in Asia. Major exporters are typically countries with advanced pork processing capabilities and large pig populations, such as the European Union (Spain, Germany, France), the United States, and Brazil. The trade in these products requires meticulous temperature control, precise cutting standards, and compliance with diverse food safety regulations, which can vary significantly between importing countries.
- Covers
- Fresh bone-in pork ham
- Chilled bone-in pork shoulder
- Fresh bone-in pork leg
- Chilled bone-in pork butt
- Fresh bone-in pork loin
- Chilled bone-in pork belly
- Examples
- Spanish bone-in Serrano ham (uncured)
- Italian Prosciutto di Parma (uncured)
- US fresh bone-in pork shoulder
- Danish Crown fresh bone-in ham
Codes often confused with 0203.12
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 020322 which covers the same cuts but in a frozen state, and from 020319 if the cuts are boneless or not specifically hams/shoulders. It's crucial to verify the presence of bone and the fresh/chilled state.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 020312, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 020312 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Mexico, with 46% 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 United States $1.9B 35% of world exports
- 2 Denmark $757M 14% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $743M 14% of world exports
World total: $5.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Mexico $2.8B 46% of world imports
- 2 Italy $1.5B 24% of world imports
- 3 Poland $467M 7.6% of world imports
World total: $6.2B 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.
Brazil NCM code for 0203.12
Brazil does not split HS 0203.12: its NCM code is 0203.12.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 02.03 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0203.12
What is HS code 020312?
HS code 020312 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Meat; of swine, hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, with bone in, fresh or chilled. This HS code covers specific, larger cuts of fresh or chilled pork, primarily hams and shoulders, that still retain the bone. This category is highly valued in culinary traditions where bone-in cuts are preferred for flavor and specific cooking methods, such as traditional curing or slow roasting. Countries with a strong demand for these specific cuts, often for further processing into cured hams (like Prosciutto or Jamón Serrano) or for direct retail, are significant importers. Examples include Italy, Spain, and other European nations, as well as markets in Asia. Major exporters are typically countries with advanced pork processing capabilities and large pig populations, such as the European Union (Spain, Germany, France), the United States, and Brazil. The trade in these products requires meticulous temperature control, precise cutting standards, and compliance with diverse food safety regulations, which can vary significantly between importing countries.
What products fall under HS code 020312?
Fresh bone-in pork ham, Chilled bone-in pork shoulder, Fresh bone-in pork leg, Chilled bone-in pork butt, Fresh bone-in pork loin, Chilled bone-in pork belly
What are common misclassifications for HS code 020312?
This code is distinct from 020322 which covers the same cuts but in a frozen state, and from 020319 if the cuts are boneless or not specifically hams/shoulders. It's crucial to verify the presence of bone and the fresh/chilled state.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 020312?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 020312 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.9B, 35% of world exports), Denmark ($757M) and the Netherlands ($743M). World exports came to about $5.3B, 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 020312?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 020312 in UN Comtrade data were Mexico ($2.8B, 46% of world imports), Italy ($1.5B) and Poland ($467M). World imports came to about $6.2B, 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 020312 structured?
HS code 020312 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (02) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 020312?
In Brazil, HS code 020312 is NCM 0203.12.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.