HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0302.53 – Fish; fresh or chilled, coalfish (Pollachius virens), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99
HS code 0302.53 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, fresh or chilled, coalfish (Pollachius virens), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99. It is used for whole fresh coalfish, chilled saithe, fresh pollock (Pollachius virens) steaks (bone-in), chilled coalfish frames and fresh coalfish roe (within whole fish).
What HS 0302.53 covers
This HS code pertains to fresh or chilled whole coalfish (Pollachius virens), also known as saithe or pollock (distinct from Alaska pollock), specifically excluding fillets, fish meat, and offal. Coalfish is a versatile whitefish, often used in a variety of culinary applications, from smoking to frying, and is a more affordable alternative to cod or haddock in some markets. It is primarily caught in the North Atlantic, with major fishing nations exporting to European markets where it is consumed widely. Importers include seafood processors, wholesalers, and retailers looking for a consistent supply of fresh, sustainable whitefish. Key trade considerations involve managing fishing quotas, ensuring rapid chilling and transport to maintain quality, and meeting stringent food safety standards in destination markets to ensure consumer confidence.
- Covers
- Whole fresh coalfish
- Chilled saithe
- Fresh pollock (Pollachius virens) steaks (bone-in)
- Chilled coalfish frames
- Fresh coalfish roe (within whole fish)
- Fresh smoked saithe (whole).
- Examples
- Fresh Norwegian Saithe
- Icelandic Coalfish (whole)
- Faroese Saithe.
Codes often confused with 0302.53
Common mistake. Can be confused with 030363 (frozen coalfish) or 030473 (coalfish fillets). It's also important not to confuse it with Alaska Pollock (030255). The key is 'fresh or chilled' and 'whole fish'.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030253, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030253 in UN Comtrade data was Denmark, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Denmark, with 47% 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 Denmark $50M 33% of world exports
- 2 Norway $39M 26% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $18M 12% of world exports
World total: $149M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Denmark $64M 47% of world imports
- 2 France $31M 22% of world imports
- 3 Sweden $11M 8.0% of world imports
World total: $138M 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 0302.53
Brazil does not split HS 0302.53: its NCM code is 0302.53.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 03.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0302.53
What is HS code 030253?
HS code 030253 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; fresh or chilled, coalfish (Pollachius virens), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99. This HS code pertains to fresh or chilled whole coalfish (Pollachius virens), also known as saithe or pollock (distinct from Alaska pollock), specifically excluding fillets, fish meat, and offal. Coalfish is a versatile whitefish, often used in a variety of culinary applications, from smoking to frying, and is a more affordable alternative to cod or haddock in some markets. It is primarily caught in the North Atlantic, with major fishing nations exporting to European markets where it is consumed widely. Importers include seafood processors, wholesalers, and retailers looking for a consistent supply of fresh, sustainable whitefish. Key trade considerations involve managing fishing quotas, ensuring rapid chilling and transport to maintain quality, and meeting stringent food safety standards in destination markets to ensure consumer confidence.
What products fall under HS code 030253?
Whole fresh coalfish, chilled saithe, fresh pollock (Pollachius virens) steaks (bone-in), chilled coalfish frames, fresh coalfish roe (within whole fish), fresh smoked saithe (whole).
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030253?
Can be confused with 030363 (frozen coalfish) or 030473 (coalfish fillets). It's also important not to confuse it with Alaska Pollock (030255). The key is 'fresh or chilled' and 'whole fish'.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030253?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030253 in UN Comtrade data were Denmark ($50M, 33% of world exports), Norway ($39M) and the United Kingdom ($18M). World exports came to about $149M, 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 030253?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030253 in UN Comtrade data were Denmark ($64M, 47% of world imports), France ($31M) and Sweden ($11M). World imports came to about $138M, 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 030253 structured?
HS code 030253 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (03) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (53) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030253?
In Brazil, HS code 030253 is NCM 0302.53.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.