HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0206.21 – Offal, edible; of bovine animals, tongues, frozen
HS code 0206.21 is the 6-digit subheading for offal, edible, of bovine animals, tongues, frozen. It is used for frozen beef tongues, frozen ox tongues, frozen veal tongues, frozen whole beef tongues and frozen trimmed beef tongues.
What HS 0206.21 covers
This specific code focuses on frozen edible bovine tongues, a highly prized offal item in many culinary traditions worldwide. Beef tongue is valued for its unique texture and rich flavor, often used in slow-cooked dishes, deli meats, or traditional stews. The freezing process allows for extended shelf life and facilitates international transport, making it a significant trade commodity. Exporters from major beef-producing countries supply markets where beef tongue is a delicacy or a staple ingredient, requiring careful processing and packaging to maintain quality during transit. Demand is particularly strong in regions with a history of nose-to-tail eating, where every part of the animal is utilized.
- Covers
- Frozen beef tongues
- Frozen ox tongues
- Frozen veal tongues
- Frozen whole beef tongues
- Frozen trimmed beef tongues
- Examples
- JBS frozen beef tongues
- Cargill frozen beef tongues
- Tyson frozen beef tongues
Codes often confused with 0206.21
Common mistake. Can be confused with fresh/chilled bovine tongues (part of 020610) if the freezing status is not clearly specified, or with other frozen bovine offal (020629).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 020621, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 020621 in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 57% 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 $142M 30% of world exports
- 2 United States $60M 13% of world exports
- 3 Brazil $55M 12% of world exports
World total: $474M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $281M 57% of world imports
- 2 Indonesia $64M 13% of world imports
- 3 Russia* ~$54M 11% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $492M 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 0206.21
Brazil does not split HS 0206.21: its NCM code is 0206.21.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 02.06 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0206.21
What is HS code 020621?
HS code 020621 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Offal, edible; of bovine animals, tongues, frozen. This specific code focuses on frozen edible bovine tongues, a highly prized offal item in many culinary traditions worldwide. Beef tongue is valued for its unique texture and rich flavor, often used in slow-cooked dishes, deli meats, or traditional stews. The freezing process allows for extended shelf life and facilitates international transport, making it a significant trade commodity. Exporters from major beef-producing countries supply markets where beef tongue is a delicacy or a staple ingredient, requiring careful processing and packaging to maintain quality during transit. Demand is particularly strong in regions with a history of nose-to-tail eating, where every part of the animal is utilized.
What products fall under HS code 020621?
Frozen beef tongues, frozen ox tongues, frozen veal tongues, frozen whole beef tongues, frozen trimmed beef tongues
What are common misclassifications for HS code 020621?
Can be confused with fresh/chilled bovine tongues (part of 020610) if the freezing status is not clearly specified, or with other frozen bovine offal (020629).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 020621?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 020621 in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($142M, 30% of world exports), the United States ($60M) and Brazil ($55M). World exports came to about $474M, 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 020621?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 020621 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($281M, 57% of world imports), Indonesia ($64M) and Russia (about $54M). World imports came to about $492M, 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 020621 structured?
HS code 020621 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (02) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) 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 020621?
In Brazil, HS code 020621 is NCM 0206.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.