HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0303.12 – Fish; frozen, Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha/keta/tschawytscha/ kisutch/masou/rhodurus) other than sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99

HS code 0303.12 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha/keta/tschawytscha/ kisutch/masou/rhodurus) other than sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. It is used for whole frozen pink salmon, head-on gutted frozen chum salmon, frozen Chinook salmon (not fillets), frozen coho salmon steaks (not fillets) and frozen Masu salmon.

What HS 0303.12 covers

This HS code covers various species of frozen Pacific salmon, excluding sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka), and specifically refers to whole fish, not fillets, fish meat, or offal. This includes species like pink, chum, Chinook (King), coho, and Masu salmon. These species vary in flavor, fat content, and color, catering to different market segments and culinary uses. Importers range from large seafood distributors supplying supermarkets and restaurants to processors who further prepare the fish for retail or food service. Exporters are predominantly Pacific Rim nations with significant salmon fisheries, such as the United States (Alaska), Canada, and Russia. Key considerations in this trade include sustainable fishing practices, adherence to international food safety standards, and the logistical challenges of transporting large volumes of frozen product. The market often differentiates between wild-caught and farmed varieties, though Pacific salmon are largely wild.

Covers
  • Whole frozen pink salmon
  • Head-on gutted frozen chum salmon
  • Frozen Chinook salmon (not fillets)
  • Frozen coho salmon steaks (not fillets)
  • Frozen Masu salmon
  • Frozen Keta salmon
  • Frozen Humpback salmon
Examples
  • Wild Alaska Pink Salmon
  • Canadian Chum Salmon
  • Oregon Coho Salmon
  • "Frozen Whole King Salmon," "Frozen Keta Salmon."

Codes often confused with 0303.12

Common mistake. This code is distinguished from 030311 (frozen sockeye salmon) by species, and from 030313 (frozen Atlantic salmon) by ocean origin, and from 0304 (fish fillets and other fish meat) if the salmon is processed into fillets.

0303.11Fish; frozen, Pacific salmon, sockeye salmon (red salmon) (Oncorhynchus nerka), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.990303.13Fish; frozen, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Danube salmon (Hucho hucho), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.9903.04Fish fillets and other fish meat (whether or not minced); fresh, chilled or frozen

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030312, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030312 in UN Comtrade data was Chile, with 63% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 40% 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. 1 Chile $1.0B
  2. 2 United States $361M
  3. 3 Russia* ~$127M

World total: $1.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Japan $658M
  2. 2 China $321M
  3. 3 Vietnam* ~$127M

World total: $1.7B 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 0303.12

Brazil does not split HS 0303.12: its NCM code is 0303.12.00.

  1. 0303.12.00 Other frozen Pacific salmonOutros salmões-do-pacífico (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, Oncorhynchus keta, Oncorhynchus tschawytscha, Oncorhynchus kisutch, Oncorhynchus masou e Oncorhynchus rhodurus)

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 03.03 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 0303.12

What is HS code 030312?

HS code 030312 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha/keta/tschawytscha/ kisutch/masou/rhodurus) other than sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This HS code covers various species of frozen Pacific salmon, excluding sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka), and specifically refers to whole fish, not fillets, fish meat, or offal. This includes species like pink, chum, Chinook (King), coho, and Masu salmon. These species vary in flavor, fat content, and color, catering to different market segments and culinary uses. Importers range from large seafood distributors supplying supermarkets and restaurants to processors who further prepare the fish for retail or food service. Exporters are predominantly Pacific Rim nations with significant salmon fisheries, such as the United States (Alaska), Canada, and Russia. Key considerations in this trade include sustainable fishing practices, adherence to international food safety standards, and the logistical challenges of transporting large volumes of frozen product. The market often differentiates between wild-caught and farmed varieties, though Pacific salmon are largely wild.

What products fall under HS code 030312?

Whole frozen pink salmon, head-on gutted frozen chum salmon, frozen Chinook salmon (not fillets), frozen coho salmon steaks (not fillets), frozen Masu salmon, frozen Keta salmon, frozen Humpback salmon

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030312?

This code is distinguished from 030311 (frozen sockeye salmon) by species, and from 030313 (frozen Atlantic salmon) by ocean origin, and from 0304 (fish fillets and other fish meat) if the salmon is processed into fillets.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030312?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030312 in UN Comtrade data were Chile ($1.0B, 63% of world exports), the United States ($361M) and Russia (about $127M). World exports came to about $1.6B, 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 030312?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030312 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($658M, 40% of world imports), China ($321M) and Vietnam (about $127M). World imports came to about $1.7B, 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 030312 structured?

HS code 030312 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (03) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030312?

In Brazil, HS code 030312 is NCM 0303.12.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.