HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0303.43 – Fish; frozen, skipjack tuna (stripe-bellied bonito) (Katsuwonus pelamis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
HS code 0303.43 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, skipjack tuna (stripe-bellied bonito) (Katsuwonus pelamis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. It is used for whole frozen skipjack tuna, frozen stripe-bellied bonito, frozen Katsuwonus pelamis, whole round frozen skipjack and gutted frozen skipjack.
What HS 0303.43 covers
This code is crucial for the global canned tuna industry, covering whole frozen skipjack tuna, also known as stripe-bellied bonito. Skipjack is the most commonly fished and consumed tuna species worldwide, prized for its mild flavor and firm texture, making it ideal for canning. International trade in this commodity primarily involves large fishing nations and processing hubs. Major exporters often include countries with extensive fishing fleets and processing capabilities in tropical and subtropical waters, such as Ecuador, Thailand, and the Philippines. Importers are typically nations with significant tuna canning industries, like Spain, Italy, and the United States, which then process the frozen fish into various shelf-stable products. Key considerations in this trade include sustainable fishing practices, adherence to international quotas set by regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), and cold chain logistics to maintain quality during transport. The market is highly sensitive to global catch volumes, fuel prices, and consumer demand for sustainable seafood options. Traceability and certification schemes (e.g., MSC) are increasingly important for market access and consumer trust.
- Covers
- Whole frozen skipjack tuna
- Frozen stripe-bellied bonito
- Frozen Katsuwonus pelamis
- Whole round frozen skipjack
- Gutted frozen skipjack
- Head-on frozen skipjack
- Examples
- Thai Union Group (for processing)
- Bumble Bee Foods (for canning)
- StarKist (for canning)
- Dongwon Industries (fishing/processing)
- Bolton Group (for canning)
Codes often confused with 0303.43
Common mistake. This code can be confused with other frozen tuna species like 030344 (bigeye tuna) or 030349 (other frozen tuna), but it specifically refers to skipjack. It's also distinct from 0304, which covers fish fillets or other processed fish meat.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030343, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030343 in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 51% 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 Spain $204M 13% of world exports
- 2 Taiwan* ~$165M 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Micronesia* ~$152M 9.9% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Thailand $853M 51% of world imports
- 2 Philippines $209M 12% of world imports
- 3 Mauritius $116M 6.9% of world imports
World total: $1.7B 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 0303.43
Brazil does not split HS 0303.43: its NCM code is 0303.43.00.
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 0303.43
What is HS code 030343?
HS code 030343 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, skipjack tuna (stripe-bellied bonito) (Katsuwonus pelamis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This code is crucial for the global canned tuna industry, covering whole frozen skipjack tuna, also known as stripe-bellied bonito. Skipjack is the most commonly fished and consumed tuna species worldwide, prized for its mild flavor and firm texture, making it ideal for canning. International trade in this commodity primarily involves large fishing nations and processing hubs. Major exporters often include countries with extensive fishing fleets and processing capabilities in tropical and subtropical waters, such as Ecuador, Thailand, and the Philippines. Importers are typically nations with significant tuna canning industries, like Spain, Italy, and the United States, which then process the frozen fish into various shelf-stable products. Key considerations in this trade include sustainable fishing practices, adherence to international quotas set by regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), and cold chain logistics to maintain quality during transport. The market is highly sensitive to global catch volumes, fuel prices, and consumer demand for sustainable seafood options. Traceability and certification schemes (e.g., MSC) are increasingly important for market access and consumer trust.
What products fall under HS code 030343?
Whole frozen skipjack tuna, frozen stripe-bellied bonito, frozen Katsuwonus pelamis, whole round frozen skipjack, gutted frozen skipjack, head-on frozen skipjack
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030343?
This code can be confused with other frozen tuna species like 030344 (bigeye tuna) or 030349 (other frozen tuna), but it specifically refers to skipjack. It's also distinct from 0304, which covers fish fillets or other processed fish meat.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030343?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030343 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($204M, 13% of world exports), Taiwan (about $165M) and Micronesia (about $152M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 030343?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030343 in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($853M, 51% of world imports), the Philippines ($209M) and Mauritius ($116M). World imports came to about $1.7B, 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 030343 structured?
HS code 030343 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 (43) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030343?
In Brazil, HS code 030343 is NCM 0303.43.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.