HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0303.42 – Fish; frozen, yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
HS code 0303.42 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. It is used for whole frozen yellowfin tuna, gutted frozen yellowfin, frozen sashimi-grade yellowfin (whole), frozen skipjack-sized yellowfin and frozen large yellowfin tuna.
What HS 0303.42 covers
This HS code covers frozen yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), specifically whole fish, excluding fillets, fish meat, or edible offal. Yellowfin tuna is a cornerstone of the global tuna industry, highly sought after for its versatility in culinary applications, from sashimi to grilling and canning. It is a major species in tropical fisheries worldwide. Exporters include prominent fishing nations like Ecuador, Thailand, and the Philippines, which supply both high-end fresh markets and large processing plants. Importers, such as Japan, Spain, and the USA, drive significant demand for this species. The trade in whole frozen yellowfin requires stringent quality control and cold chain management, especially for sashimi-grade products, alongside ongoing efforts for sustainable harvesting.
- Covers
- Whole frozen yellowfin tuna
- Gutted frozen yellowfin
- Frozen sashimi-grade yellowfin (whole)
- Frozen skipjack-sized yellowfin
- Frozen large yellowfin tuna
- Examples
- Thai Union (raw material)
- Dongwon (raw material)
- Tri Marine (raw material)
Codes often confused with 0303.42
Common mistake. Often confused with fresh yellowfin (0302.32) or yellowfin fillets/loins (0304.87). Also, other tuna species like skipjack (0303.43) or albacore (0303.41) if not correctly identified by species.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030342, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030342 in UN Comtrade data was Taiwan, with about 11% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 20% 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 Taiwan* ~$120M 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Indonesia $120M 11% of world exports
- 3 Spain $97M 9.0% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Thailand $264M 20% of world imports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$202M 15% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Spain $168M 13% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 0303.42
Brazil does not split HS 0303.42: its NCM code is 0303.42.00.
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 0303.42
What is HS code 030342?
HS code 030342 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This HS code covers frozen yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), specifically whole fish, excluding fillets, fish meat, or edible offal. Yellowfin tuna is a cornerstone of the global tuna industry, highly sought after for its versatility in culinary applications, from sashimi to grilling and canning. It is a major species in tropical fisheries worldwide. Exporters include prominent fishing nations like Ecuador, Thailand, and the Philippines, which supply both high-end fresh markets and large processing plants. Importers, such as Japan, Spain, and the USA, drive significant demand for this species. The trade in whole frozen yellowfin requires stringent quality control and cold chain management, especially for sashimi-grade products, alongside ongoing efforts for sustainable harvesting.
What products fall under HS code 030342?
Whole frozen yellowfin tuna, gutted frozen yellowfin, frozen sashimi-grade yellowfin (whole), frozen skipjack-sized yellowfin, frozen large yellowfin tuna
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030342?
Often confused with fresh yellowfin (0302.32) or yellowfin fillets/loins (0304.87). Also, other tuna species like skipjack (0303.43) or albacore (0303.41) if not correctly identified by species.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030342?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030342 in UN Comtrade data were Taiwan (about $120M, 11% of world exports), Indonesia ($120M) and Spain ($97M). 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 030342?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030342 in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($264M, 20% of world imports), Vietnam (about $202M) and Spain ($168M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 030342 structured?
HS code 030342 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 (42) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030342?
In Brazil, HS code 030342 is NCM 0303.42.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.