HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0302.74 – Fish; fresh or chilled, eels (Anguilla spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99
HS code 0302.74 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, fresh or chilled, eels (Anguilla spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99. It is used for fresh European Eel, chilled Japanese Eel, fresh American Eel, live Glass Eels and fresh Shortfin Eel.
What HS 0302.74 covers
This HS code covers the global trade of whole, fresh or chilled eels, specifically from the Anguilla genus. Eels are a highly prized delicacy, particularly in East Asian cuisines like Japanese 'unagi,' driving a substantial international market for both wild-caught and farmed varieties. The trade often involves live eels for further aquaculture or immediate consumption, necessitating specialized transport to maintain their vitality and freshness. Exporters are typically countries with significant eel fisheries or aquaculture operations, while Japan is the primary importer. Key challenges include navigating complex conservation regulations, such as CITES listings for endangered eel species, ensuring traceability, and managing the delicate logistics of transporting live aquatic animals across borders to meet high consumer demand.
- Covers
- Fresh European Eel
- Chilled Japanese Eel
- Fresh American Eel
- Live Glass Eels
- Fresh Shortfin Eel
- Chilled Longfin Eel
- Examples
- European Eel (Anguilla anguilla)
- Japanese Eel (Anguilla japonica)
- American Eel (Anguilla rostrata)
- New Zealand Longfin Eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii)
Codes often confused with 0302.74
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 0303 (frozen eels) or 0304 (eel fillets), emphasizing the whole and fresh/chilled state, which is crucial for its high-value market.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030274, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030274 in UN Comtrade data was Denmark, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 22% 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 $2.8M 24% of world exports
- 2 China $2.6M 23% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $1.9M 17% of world exports
World total: $11M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $1.6M 22% of world imports
- 2 Spain $1.4M 19% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $787K 11% of world imports
World total: $7.3M 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 0302.74
Brazil does not split HS 0302.74: its NCM code is 0302.74.00.
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 0302.74
What is HS code 030274?
HS code 030274 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; fresh or chilled, eels (Anguilla spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99. This HS code covers the global trade of whole, fresh or chilled eels, specifically from the Anguilla genus. Eels are a highly prized delicacy, particularly in East Asian cuisines like Japanese 'unagi,' driving a substantial international market for both wild-caught and farmed varieties. The trade often involves live eels for further aquaculture or immediate consumption, necessitating specialized transport to maintain their vitality and freshness. Exporters are typically countries with significant eel fisheries or aquaculture operations, while Japan is the primary importer. Key challenges include navigating complex conservation regulations, such as CITES listings for endangered eel species, ensuring traceability, and managing the delicate logistics of transporting live aquatic animals across borders to meet high consumer demand.
What products fall under HS code 030274?
Fresh European Eel, Chilled Japanese Eel, Fresh American Eel, Live Glass Eels, Fresh Shortfin Eel, Chilled Longfin Eel
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030274?
This code is distinct from 0303 (frozen eels) or 0304 (eel fillets), emphasizing the whole and fresh/chilled state, which is crucial for its high-value market.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030274?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030274 in UN Comtrade data were Denmark ($2.8M, 24% of world exports), China ($2.6M) and the Netherlands ($1.9M). World exports came to about $11M, 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 030274?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030274 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.6M, 22% of world imports), Spain ($1.4M) and Belgium ($787K). World imports came to about $7.3M, 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 030274 structured?
HS code 030274 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 (74) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030274?
In Brazil, HS code 030274 is NCM 0302.74.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.