HS Code Subheading

Fish; frozen, halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, Hippoglossus stenolepis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99

0303.31 Subheading
Section I — live animals; animal products

About HS Code 030331

This HS code covers frozen halibut, including Atlantic, Pacific, and Greenland species, provided they are whole and not filleted, processed into fish meat, or offal. Halibut is a highly valued flatfish, prized for its firm, white flesh and mild flavor, making it a premium product in global seafood markets. Major exporters are typically countries with significant halibut fisheries, such as Norway, Iceland, Canada, and the USA. Importers include nations with high demand for quality seafood in both retail and foodservice sectors, like Japan, the USA, and various European countries. The trade emphasizes sustainable fishing practices due to the slow growth rate of halibut and the need for careful handling to maintain its premium quality during freezing and transport.

Products Under This Code

Whole frozen Atlantic halibut, whole frozen Pacific halibut, gutted frozen Greenland halibut, frozen turbot halibut, frozen white halibut

Real World Examples

Alaskan Gold Frozen Halibut, Greenland Seafood Frozen Halibut, Nordic Catch Frozen Halibut

Common Misclassification

This code is often confused with fresh halibut (0302.21) or halibut fillets (0304.71). The key distinction is that the fish must be frozen and in its whole form, not filleted.

Products Classified Under 0303.31

Industry

This code belongs to the Agriculture & Live Animals industry.

Trade Overview

The USA, Canada, and Japan are significant importers, while Norway, Iceland, and Canada are major exporters of frozen halibut.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 030331?

HS code 030331 covers: Fish; frozen, halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, Hippoglossus stenolepis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This HS code covers frozen halibut, including Atlantic, Pacific, and Greenland species, provided they are whole and not filleted, processed into fish meat, or offal. Halibut is a highly valued flatfish, prized for its firm, white flesh and mild flavor, making it a premium product in global seafood markets. Major exporters are typically countries with significant halibut fisheries, such as Norway, Iceland, Canada, and the USA. Importers include nations with high demand for quality seafood in both retail and foodservice sectors, like Japan, the USA, and various European countries. The trade emphasizes sustainable fishing practices due to the slow growth rate of halibut and the need for careful handling to maintain its premium quality during freezing and transport.

What products fall under HS code 030331?

Whole frozen Atlantic halibut, whole frozen Pacific halibut, gutted frozen Greenland halibut, frozen turbot halibut, frozen white halibut

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030331?

This code is often confused with fresh halibut (0302.21) or halibut fillets (0304.71). The key distinction is that the fish must be frozen and in its whole form, not filleted.

How is HS code 030331 structured?

HS code 030331 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 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.