HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0303.31 – 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
HS code 0303.31 is the 6-digit subheading for 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. It is used for whole frozen Atlantic halibut, whole frozen Pacific halibut, gutted frozen Greenland halibut, frozen turbot halibut and frozen white halibut.
What HS 0303.31 covers
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.
- Covers
- Whole frozen Atlantic halibut
- Whole frozen Pacific halibut
- Gutted frozen Greenland halibut
- Frozen turbot halibut
- Frozen white halibut
- Examples
- Alaskan Gold Frozen Halibut
- Greenland Seafood Frozen Halibut
- Nordic Catch Frozen Halibut
Codes often confused with 0303.31
Common mistake. 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.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030331, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030331 in UN Comtrade data was Greenland, with about 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 47% of world imports. Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 31% of its imports here ($34M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Greenland* ~$363M 32% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Denmark $328M 29% of world exports
- 3 Spain $89M 7.9% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $451M 47% of world imports
- 2 Denmark $236M 25% of world imports
- 3 Japan $71M 7.5% of world imports
Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 31% of its imports here ($34M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $954M 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 0303.31
Brazil does not split HS 0303.31: its NCM code is 0303.31.00.
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 0303.31
What is HS code 030331?
HS code 030331 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that 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.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030331?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030331 in UN Comtrade data were Greenland (about $363M, 32% of world exports), Denmark ($328M) and Spain ($89M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 030331?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030331 in UN Comtrade data were China ($451M, 47% of world imports), Denmark ($236M) and Japan ($71M). World imports came to about $954M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 31% of its imports here ($34M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
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.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030331?
In Brazil, HS code 030331 is NCM 0303.31.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.