HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0204.21 – Meat; of sheep, carcasses and half-carcasses (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses of lamb), fresh or chilled
HS code 0204.21 is the 6-digit subheading for meat, of sheep, carcasses and half-carcasses (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses of lamb), fresh or chilled. It is used for mutton carcasses, mutton half-carcasses, whole sheep carcasses (mutton), split sheep carcasses (mutton) and fresh mutton carcasses.
What HS 0204.21 covers
This HS code pertains to fresh or chilled carcasses and half-carcasses of mature sheep, specifically excluding lamb. This segment of the international meat trade focuses on mutton, which has a distinct flavor profile and is favored in certain culinary traditions globally. Countries with strong sheep farming industries, such as Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, are primary exporters, leveraging their extensive livestock resources and advanced chilling facilities. Importers often include nations in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia, where mutton is a staple in local cuisines, or countries like China, which have a growing demand for diverse meat proteins. Key considerations in this trade involve maintaining strict cold chain integrity from slaughter to destination, adhering to veterinary health certificates, and complying with religious dietary requirements (e.g., Halal certification) for specific markets. The trade ensures a steady supply of whole or split mutton for further processing or direct retail.
- Covers
- Mutton carcasses
- Mutton half-carcasses
- Whole sheep carcasses (mutton)
- Split sheep carcasses (mutton)
- Fresh mutton carcasses
- Chilled mutton half-carcasses
- Aged mutton carcasses
- Examples
- Australian Mutton Carcasses
- New Zealand Mutton Halves
- British Mutton Carcasses
- Irish Mutton
- South African Mutton
Codes often confused with 0204.21
Common mistake. This code might be confused with 020422 (cuts with bone in) or 020423 (boneless cuts) if the product is not a whole or half carcass. It's also distinct from 020410 (lamb carcasses) due to the age of the animal.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 020421, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 020421 in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Algeria, with about 20% 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 Spain $175M 32% of world exports
- 2 Kazakhstan $81M 15% of world exports
- 3 India $75M 14% of world exports
World total: $540M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Algeria* ~$131M 20% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Italy $91M 14% of world imports
- 3 France $88M 13% of world imports
World total: $652M 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 code for 0204.21
Brazil does not split HS 0204.21: its NCM code is 0204.21.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 02.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0204.21
What is HS code 020421?
HS code 020421 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Meat; of sheep, carcasses and half-carcasses (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses of lamb), fresh or chilled. This HS code pertains to fresh or chilled carcasses and half-carcasses of mature sheep, specifically excluding lamb. This segment of the international meat trade focuses on mutton, which has a distinct flavor profile and is favored in certain culinary traditions globally. Countries with strong sheep farming industries, such as Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, are primary exporters, leveraging their extensive livestock resources and advanced chilling facilities. Importers often include nations in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia, where mutton is a staple in local cuisines, or countries like China, which have a growing demand for diverse meat proteins. Key considerations in this trade involve maintaining strict cold chain integrity from slaughter to destination, adhering to veterinary health certificates, and complying with religious dietary requirements (e.g., Halal certification) for specific markets. The trade ensures a steady supply of whole or split mutton for further processing or direct retail.
What products fall under HS code 020421?
Mutton carcasses, Mutton half-carcasses, Whole sheep carcasses (mutton), Split sheep carcasses (mutton), Fresh mutton carcasses, Chilled mutton half-carcasses, Aged mutton carcasses
What are common misclassifications for HS code 020421?
This code might be confused with 020422 (cuts with bone in) or 020423 (boneless cuts) if the product is not a whole or half carcass. It's also distinct from 020410 (lamb carcasses) due to the age of the animal.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 020421?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 020421 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($175M, 32% of world exports), Kazakhstan ($81M) and India ($75M). World exports came to about $540M, 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 020421?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 020421 in UN Comtrade data were Algeria (about $131M, 20% of world imports), Italy ($91M) and France ($88M). World imports came to about $652M, 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 020421 structured?
HS code 020421 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (02) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 020421?
In Brazil, HS code 020421 is NCM 0204.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.