HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0204.23 – Meat; of sheep (including lamb), boneless cuts, fresh or chilled
HS code 0204.23 is the 6-digit subheading for meat, of sheep (including lamb), boneless cuts, fresh or chilled. It is used for boneless lamb leg, boneless lamb shoulder, lamb loin (boneless), lamb stew meat (boneless) and boneless mutton cubes.
What HS 0204.23 covers
This HS code encompasses fresh or chilled boneless cuts of sheep and lamb meat, representing a premium and convenient segment of the international meat market. These cuts are highly sought after by consumers and the foodservice industry for their ease of preparation and versatility, often used in dishes requiring lean, tender meat without the hassle of deboning. Major importers include countries with a strong demand for processed or ready-to-cook meat products, such as the USA, Japan, and European nations, where convenience is a key driver. Exporters are typically large-scale sheep farming countries like Australia and New Zealand, which have advanced processing capabilities and efficient supply chains. Key trade considerations involve maintaining strict cold chain integrity, ensuring precise butchery and trimming, and complying with diverse import regulations regarding food safety, labeling, and animal welfare. The value of these cuts often reflects the labor involved in deboning and the premium quality of the product.
- Covers
- Boneless lamb leg
- Boneless lamb shoulder
- Lamb loin (boneless)
- Lamb stew meat (boneless)
- Boneless mutton cubes
- Lamb tenderloin
- Boneless lamb sirloin
- Lamb mince (boneless)
- Examples
- Australian Boneless Lamb Leg
- New Zealand Boneless Lamb Shoulder
- US Lamb Stew Meat
- French Boneless Lamb Loin
- UK Boneless Mutton Cubes
Codes often confused with 0204.23
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 020422 (bone-in cuts) if the deboning process is incomplete or if the product is mistakenly classified before processing.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 020423, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 020423 in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 50% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 28% 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 Australia $320M 50% of world exports
- 2 New Zealand $164M 26% of world exports
- 3 Ireland $50M 7.9% of world exports
World total: $638M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $191M 28% of world imports
- 2 Japan $86M 13% of world imports
- 3 Germany $64M 9.6% of world imports
World total: $672M 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 0204.23
Brazil does not split HS 0204.23: its NCM code is 0204.23.00.
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 0204.23
What is HS code 020423?
HS code 020423 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Meat; of sheep (including lamb), boneless cuts, fresh or chilled. This HS code encompasses fresh or chilled boneless cuts of sheep and lamb meat, representing a premium and convenient segment of the international meat market. These cuts are highly sought after by consumers and the foodservice industry for their ease of preparation and versatility, often used in dishes requiring lean, tender meat without the hassle of deboning. Major importers include countries with a strong demand for processed or ready-to-cook meat products, such as the USA, Japan, and European nations, where convenience is a key driver. Exporters are typically large-scale sheep farming countries like Australia and New Zealand, which have advanced processing capabilities and efficient supply chains. Key trade considerations involve maintaining strict cold chain integrity, ensuring precise butchery and trimming, and complying with diverse import regulations regarding food safety, labeling, and animal welfare. The value of these cuts often reflects the labor involved in deboning and the premium quality of the product.
What products fall under HS code 020423?
Boneless lamb leg, Boneless lamb shoulder, Lamb loin (boneless), Lamb stew meat (boneless), Boneless mutton cubes, Lamb tenderloin, Boneless lamb sirloin, Lamb mince (boneless)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 020423?
This code is often confused with 020422 (bone-in cuts) if the deboning process is incomplete or if the product is mistakenly classified before processing.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 020423?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 020423 in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($320M, 50% of world exports), New Zealand ($164M) and Ireland ($50M). World exports came to about $638M, 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 020423?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 020423 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($191M, 28% of world imports), Japan ($86M) and Germany ($64M). World imports came to about $672M, 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 020423 structured?
HS code 020423 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 (23) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 020423?
In Brazil, HS code 020423 is NCM 0204.23.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.