HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0303.23 – Fish; frozen, tilapias (Oreochromis spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99

HS code 0303.23 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, tilapias (Oreochromis spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. It is used for whole frozen black tilapia, whole frozen Nile tilapia, gutted frozen red tilapia, frozen Mozambique tilapia (whole) and frozen Wami tilapia (gutted).

What HS 0303.23 covers

This HS code specifically targets frozen whole or gutted tilapias (Oreochromis spp.), excluding more processed forms like fillets, fish meat, or offal. Tilapia is a globally significant aquaculture species due to its rapid growth, adaptability, and mild flavor, making it a staple in many diets, particularly in developing regions. The international trade in frozen whole tilapia is robust, driven by demand from both developing and developed nations. Major exporters are countries with large-scale tilapia farming operations, predominantly in Asia and Latin America, such as China, Ecuador, and Honduras, which have optimized production for export. Importers often include countries with large ethnic populations that prefer whole fish, or those with processing industries that further prepare the fish, like the USA and various African and Middle Eastern countries. Trade considerations include ensuring product freshness, proper freezing techniques, and compliance with food safety regulations to prevent spoilage and maintain quality during transit.

Covers
  • Whole frozen black tilapia
  • Whole frozen Nile tilapia
  • Gutted frozen red tilapia
  • Frozen Mozambique tilapia (whole)
  • Frozen Wami tilapia (gutted)
  • Frozen blue tilapia (whole)
  • Frozen hybrid tilapia (gutted)
  • Frozen Oreochromis niloticus (whole)
Examples
  • Regal Springs Frozen Tilapia
  • AquaChile Frozen Tilapia
  • Hainan Xiangtai Frozen Tilapia
  • CP Foods Frozen Tilapia
  • Genomar Frozen Tilapia

Codes often confused with 0303.23

Common mistake. This code is frequently confused with 0304 (tilapia fillets) if the fish has been filleted, or with other frozen whole fish codes if the species is not correctly identified.

03.04Fish fillets and other fish meat (whether or not minced); fresh, chilled or frozen

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030323, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030323 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 72% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 23% 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 China $343M
  2. 2 Taiwan* ~$35M
  3. 3 Vietnam* ~$26M

World total: $476M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $117M
  2. 2 Côte d'Ivoire $115M
  3. 3 Burkina Faso* ~$37M

World total: $513M 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 0303.23

Brazil does not split HS 0303.23: its NCM code is 0303.23.00.

  1. 0303.23.00 Frozen tilapia (Oreochromis)Tilápias (Oreochromis spp.)

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 0303.23

What is HS code 030323?

HS code 030323 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, tilapias (Oreochromis spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This HS code specifically targets frozen whole or gutted tilapias (Oreochromis spp.), excluding more processed forms like fillets, fish meat, or offal. Tilapia is a globally significant aquaculture species due to its rapid growth, adaptability, and mild flavor, making it a staple in many diets, particularly in developing regions. The international trade in frozen whole tilapia is robust, driven by demand from both developing and developed nations. Major exporters are countries with large-scale tilapia farming operations, predominantly in Asia and Latin America, such as China, Ecuador, and Honduras, which have optimized production for export. Importers often include countries with large ethnic populations that prefer whole fish, or those with processing industries that further prepare the fish, like the USA and various African and Middle Eastern countries. Trade considerations include ensuring product freshness, proper freezing techniques, and compliance with food safety regulations to prevent spoilage and maintain quality during transit.

What products fall under HS code 030323?

Whole frozen black tilapia, Whole frozen Nile tilapia, Gutted frozen red tilapia, Frozen Mozambique tilapia (whole), Frozen Wami tilapia (gutted), Frozen blue tilapia (whole), Frozen hybrid tilapia (gutted), Frozen Oreochromis niloticus (whole)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030323?

This code is frequently confused with 0304 (tilapia fillets) if the fish has been filleted, or with other frozen whole fish codes if the species is not correctly identified.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030323?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030323 in UN Comtrade data were China ($343M, 72% of world exports), Taiwan (about $35M) and Vietnam (about $26M). World exports came to about $476M, 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 030323?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030323 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($117M, 23% of world imports), Côte d'Ivoire ($115M) and Burkina Faso (about $37M). World imports came to about $513M, 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 030323 structured?

HS code 030323 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 (23) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030323?

In Brazil, HS code 030323 is NCM 0303.23.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.