HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0303.51 – Fish; frozen, herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
HS code 0303.51 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. It is used for whole frozen Atlantic herring, gutted frozen Pacific herring, frozen Norwegian herring (whole), frozen Icelandic herring (gutted) and frozen Baltic herring (whole).
What HS 0303.51 covers
This HS code specifically covers frozen whole or gutted herrings of the species Clupea harengus and Clupea pallasii, excluding fillets, fish meat, and offal. Herring is a vital pelagic fish species, forming a cornerstone of many traditional diets and a significant component of the global seafood trade. It's often processed further into pickled, smoked, or canned products, making the trade in whole frozen herring crucial for the processing industry. Major exporters are countries with large herring fisheries, primarily in the North Atlantic and North Pacific, such as Norway, Iceland, Russia, and Canada, which have established fishing fleets and processing infrastructure. Importers include countries with strong herring processing industries or high consumer demand for herring products, like Germany, Poland, and Japan. Key trade considerations involve managing quotas for sustainable fishing, ensuring rapid freezing to preserve quality, and complying with international food safety and traceability standards to maintain market access.
- Covers
- Whole frozen Atlantic herring
- Gutted frozen Pacific herring
- Frozen Norwegian herring (whole)
- Frozen Icelandic herring (gutted)
- Frozen Baltic herring (whole)
- Frozen Canadian herring (gutted)
- Frozen Alaskan herring (whole)
- Frozen North Sea herring (whole)
- Examples
- Pelagia Frozen Herring
- Samherji Frozen Herring
- Russian Fishery Company Frozen Herring
- Ocean Choice International Frozen Herring
- Icelandic Seachill Frozen Herring
Codes often confused with 0303.51
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 030353 (sardines/sprats) due to similar appearance, or with 0304 (herring fillets) if the fish has been processed.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030351, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030351 in UN Comtrade data was Russia, with about 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Nigeria, with 22% 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 Russia* ~$245M 28% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Netherlands $196M 22% of world exports
- 3 Norway $105M 12% of world exports
World total: $883M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Nigeria $181M 22% of world imports
- 2 China $179M 21% of world imports
- 3 Egypt $113M 14% of world imports
World total: $836M 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 0303.51
Brazil does not split HS 0303.51: its NCM code is 0303.51.00.
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 0303.51
What is HS code 030351?
HS code 030351 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This HS code specifically covers frozen whole or gutted herrings of the species Clupea harengus and Clupea pallasii, excluding fillets, fish meat, and offal. Herring is a vital pelagic fish species, forming a cornerstone of many traditional diets and a significant component of the global seafood trade. It's often processed further into pickled, smoked, or canned products, making the trade in whole frozen herring crucial for the processing industry. Major exporters are countries with large herring fisheries, primarily in the North Atlantic and North Pacific, such as Norway, Iceland, Russia, and Canada, which have established fishing fleets and processing infrastructure. Importers include countries with strong herring processing industries or high consumer demand for herring products, like Germany, Poland, and Japan. Key trade considerations involve managing quotas for sustainable fishing, ensuring rapid freezing to preserve quality, and complying with international food safety and traceability standards to maintain market access.
What products fall under HS code 030351?
Whole frozen Atlantic herring, Gutted frozen Pacific herring, Frozen Norwegian herring (whole), Frozen Icelandic herring (gutted), Frozen Baltic herring (whole), Frozen Canadian herring (gutted), Frozen Alaskan herring (whole), Frozen North Sea herring (whole)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030351?
This code can be confused with 030353 (sardines/sprats) due to similar appearance, or with 0304 (herring fillets) if the fish has been processed.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030351?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030351 in UN Comtrade data were Russia (about $245M, 28% of world exports), the Netherlands ($196M) and Norway ($105M). World exports came to about $883M, 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 030351?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030351 in UN Comtrade data were Nigeria ($181M, 22% of world imports), China ($179M) and Egypt ($113M). World imports came to about $836M, 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 030351 structured?
HS code 030351 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 (51) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030351?
In Brazil, HS code 030351 is NCM 0303.51.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.