HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0303.33 – Fish; frozen, sole (Solea spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
HS code 0303.33 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, sole (Solea spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. It is used for whole frozen Dover sole, whole frozen lemon sole, whole frozen common sole, gutted frozen sole and frozen petrale sole.
What HS 0303.33 covers
This HS code covers frozen sole (Solea spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat, or edible offal. Sole is a highly esteemed flatfish, celebrated for its exquisite flavor and delicate, firm flesh, making it a premium item in global seafood trade, particularly in European cuisine. Exporters typically originate from regions with abundant sole fisheries, such as the North Atlantic and Mediterranean, including countries like the Netherlands, France, and Spain. Importers are often high-end restaurants and retail markets in countries like France, Italy, and the USA, seeking quality seafood. The trade in whole frozen sole demands meticulous handling and rapid freezing to maintain its culinary integrity and market value.
- Covers
- Whole frozen Dover sole
- Whole frozen lemon sole
- Whole frozen common sole
- Gutted frozen sole
- Frozen petrale sole
- Frozen sand sole
- Examples
- Dover Sole Frozen Whole
- Mediterranean Catch Frozen Sole
- Ocean Fresh Frozen Sole
Codes often confused with 0303.33
Common mistake. Often confused with fresh sole (0302.23) or sole fillets (0304.73). The key is that the fish must be frozen and in its whole, unfilleted state.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030333, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030333 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% 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 Netherlands $34M 35% of world exports
- 2 Senegal $18M 18% of world exports
- 3 India $12M 13% of world exports
World total: $98M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $13M 24% of world imports
- 2 Spain $7.9M 15% of world imports
- 3 Italy $5.9M 11% of world imports
World total: $51M 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 0303.33
Brazil does not split HS 0303.33: its NCM code is 0303.33.00.
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 0303.33
What is HS code 030333?
HS code 030333 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, sole (Solea spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This HS code covers frozen sole (Solea spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat, or edible offal. Sole is a highly esteemed flatfish, celebrated for its exquisite flavor and delicate, firm flesh, making it a premium item in global seafood trade, particularly in European cuisine. Exporters typically originate from regions with abundant sole fisheries, such as the North Atlantic and Mediterranean, including countries like the Netherlands, France, and Spain. Importers are often high-end restaurants and retail markets in countries like France, Italy, and the USA, seeking quality seafood. The trade in whole frozen sole demands meticulous handling and rapid freezing to maintain its culinary integrity and market value.
What products fall under HS code 030333?
Whole frozen Dover sole, whole frozen lemon sole, whole frozen common sole, gutted frozen sole, frozen petrale sole, frozen sand sole
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030333?
Often confused with fresh sole (0302.23) or sole fillets (0304.73). The key is that the fish must be frozen and in its whole, unfilleted state.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030333?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030333 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($34M, 35% of world exports), Senegal ($18M) and India ($12M). World exports came to about $98M, 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 030333?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030333 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($13M, 24% of world imports), Spain ($7.9M) and Italy ($5.9M). World imports came to about $51M, 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 030333 structured?
HS code 030333 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 (33) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030333?
In Brazil, HS code 030333 is NCM 0303.33.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.