HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0302.56 – Fish; fresh or chilled, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis),excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99
HS code 0302.56 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, fresh or chilled, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis),excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99. It is used for whole fresh Northern blue whiting, chilled Southern blue whiting, fresh blue whiting (round), chilled blue whiting (gutted) and fresh Atlantic blue whiting..
What HS 0302.56 covers
This HS code covers fresh or chilled whole blue whitings, including both Northern (Micromesistius poutassou) and Southern (Micromesistius australis) species, excluding fillets, fish meat, and offal. Blue whiting is a small, pelagic fish, often caught in large volumes and primarily used for fishmeal, surimi, or as a more affordable whitefish option. When traded fresh or chilled, it typically targets specific markets that value its fresh form for direct consumption or local processing. Importers are often seafood processors or distributors in European and Asian markets. Key trade considerations include the large-scale nature of its fishery, the need for rapid chilling post-catch due to its delicate nature, and efficient logistics to deliver it fresh to market, often competing with its more common frozen or processed forms.
- Covers
- Whole fresh Northern blue whiting
- Chilled Southern blue whiting
- Fresh blue whiting (round)
- Chilled blue whiting (gutted)
- Fresh Atlantic blue whiting.
- Examples
- Fresh North Atlantic Blue Whiting
- Chilled Patagonian Blue Whiting.
Codes often confused with 0302.56
Common mistake. Can be confused with 030366 (frozen blue whitings) or 030476 (blue whiting fillets). The distinction is its 'fresh or chilled' state and being a whole fish.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030256, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030256 in UN Comtrade data was the Faroe Islands, with about 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Nigeria, with 43% 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 Faroe Islands* ~$22M 42% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Russia* ~$10M 20% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Greenland* ~$6.5M 12% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $53M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Nigeria $51M 43% of world imports
- 2 Denmark $31M 26% of world imports
- 3 Norway $18M 15% of world imports
World total: $118M 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 0302.56
Brazil does not split HS 0302.56: its NCM code is 0302.56.00.
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 0302.56
What is HS code 030256?
HS code 030256 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; fresh or chilled, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis),excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99. This HS code covers fresh or chilled whole blue whitings, including both Northern (Micromesistius poutassou) and Southern (Micromesistius australis) species, excluding fillets, fish meat, and offal. Blue whiting is a small, pelagic fish, often caught in large volumes and primarily used for fishmeal, surimi, or as a more affordable whitefish option. When traded fresh or chilled, it typically targets specific markets that value its fresh form for direct consumption or local processing. Importers are often seafood processors or distributors in European and Asian markets. Key trade considerations include the large-scale nature of its fishery, the need for rapid chilling post-catch due to its delicate nature, and efficient logistics to deliver it fresh to market, often competing with its more common frozen or processed forms.
What products fall under HS code 030256?
Whole fresh Northern blue whiting, chilled Southern blue whiting, fresh blue whiting (round), chilled blue whiting (gutted), fresh Atlantic blue whiting.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030256?
Can be confused with 030366 (frozen blue whitings) or 030476 (blue whiting fillets). The distinction is its 'fresh or chilled' state and being a whole fish.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030256?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030256 in UN Comtrade data were the Faroe Islands (about $22M, 42% of world exports), Russia (about $10M) and Greenland (about $6.5M). World exports came to about $53M, 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 030256?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030256 in UN Comtrade data were Nigeria ($51M, 43% of world imports), Denmark ($31M) and Norway ($18M). World imports came to about $118M, 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 030256 structured?
HS code 030256 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 (56) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030256?
In Brazil, HS code 030256 is NCM 0302.56.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.