HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0303.44 – Fish; frozen, bigeye tunas (Thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99

HS code 0303.44 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, bigeye tunas (Thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. It is used for whole frozen bigeye tuna, frozen Thunnus obesus, sashimi-grade frozen bigeye, whole round frozen bigeye and gutted frozen bigeye.

What HS 0303.44 covers

This HS code specifically identifies whole frozen bigeye tuna, a highly valued species in the global seafood market, particularly for sashimi and high-end culinary applications. Bigeye tuna is known for its rich, fatty meat, making it a premium product compared to skipjack. The trade in frozen bigeye tuna involves a sophisticated supply chain, often from distant water fishing fleets to specialized processing facilities. Key exporters are typically nations with advanced fishing technologies and access to deep-sea fishing grounds where bigeye tuna thrive, such as Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. Major importers include countries with strong demand for fresh and frozen sashimi-grade fish, notably Japan, the United States, and various European nations. Critical aspects of this trade include strict adherence to cold chain management to preserve quality, compliance with international conservation measures due to bigeye's vulnerable status, and traceability to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The market is influenced by global fishing quotas, consumer preferences for high-quality seafood, and currency exchange rates.

Covers
  • Whole frozen bigeye tuna
  • Frozen Thunnus obesus
  • Sashimi-grade frozen bigeye
  • Whole round frozen bigeye
  • Gutted frozen bigeye
  • Head-on frozen bigeye
Examples
  • Maruha Nichiro (fishing/processing)
  • Kyokuyo Co. (fishing/processing)
  • Nippon Suisan Kaisha (Nissui) (fishing/processing)
  • True World Foods (distributor)
  • Pacific Seafood (distributor)

Codes often confused with 0303.44

Common mistake. This code is distinct from other frozen tuna species like 030343 (skipjack) or 030345 (bluefin), as it specifically covers bigeye tuna. It should not be confused with processed tuna products under 0304.

0303.43Fish; frozen, skipjack tuna (stripe-bellied bonito) (Katsuwonus pelamis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.990303.45Fish; frozen, Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tunas (Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus orientalis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.9903.04Fish fillets and other fish meat (whether or not minced); fresh, chilled or frozen

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030344, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030344 in UN Comtrade data was Taiwan, with about 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 62% 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. 1 Taiwan* ~$148M
  2. 2 China $46M
  3. 3 Spain $27M

World total: $336M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Japan $257M
  2. 2 Thailand $48M
  3. 3 South Korea $21M

World total: $412M 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 0303.44

Brazil does not split HS 0303.44: its NCM code is 0303.44.00.

  1. 0303.44.00 Frozen bigeye tunaAlbacora-bandolim (atum) (Thunnus obesus)

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 0303.44

What is HS code 030344?

HS code 030344 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, bigeye tunas (Thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This HS code specifically identifies whole frozen bigeye tuna, a highly valued species in the global seafood market, particularly for sashimi and high-end culinary applications. Bigeye tuna is known for its rich, fatty meat, making it a premium product compared to skipjack. The trade in frozen bigeye tuna involves a sophisticated supply chain, often from distant water fishing fleets to specialized processing facilities. Key exporters are typically nations with advanced fishing technologies and access to deep-sea fishing grounds where bigeye tuna thrive, such as Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. Major importers include countries with strong demand for fresh and frozen sashimi-grade fish, notably Japan, the United States, and various European nations. Critical aspects of this trade include strict adherence to cold chain management to preserve quality, compliance with international conservation measures due to bigeye's vulnerable status, and traceability to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The market is influenced by global fishing quotas, consumer preferences for high-quality seafood, and currency exchange rates.

What products fall under HS code 030344?

Whole frozen bigeye tuna, frozen Thunnus obesus, sashimi-grade frozen bigeye, whole round frozen bigeye, gutted frozen bigeye, head-on frozen bigeye

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030344?

This code is distinct from other frozen tuna species like 030343 (skipjack) or 030345 (bluefin), as it specifically covers bigeye tuna. It should not be confused with processed tuna products under 0304.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030344?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030344 in UN Comtrade data were Taiwan (about $148M, 44% of world exports), China ($46M) and Spain ($27M). World exports came to about $336M, 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 030344?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030344 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($257M, 62% of world imports), Thailand ($48M) and South Korea ($21M). World imports came to about $412M, 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 030344 structured?

HS code 030344 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 (44) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030344?

In Brazil, HS code 030344 is NCM 0303.44.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.