HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0303.53 – Fish; frozen, sardines (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp.), sardinella (Sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (Sprattus sprattus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
HS code 0303.53 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, sardines (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp.), sardinella (Sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (Sprattus sprattus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. It is used for whole frozen European pilchard, gutted frozen Pacific sardine, whole frozen round sardinella, frozen brisling (whole) and frozen sprats (gutted).
What HS 0303.53 covers
This HS code encompasses frozen whole or gutted sardines (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp.), sardinella (Sardinella spp.), and brisling or sprats (Sprattus sprattus), explicitly excluding fillets, fish meat, and offal. These small pelagic fish are crucial for both direct consumption and as raw material for canning, fishmeal, and oil production, making them highly versatile in the global market. The international trade in these frozen forms is substantial, driven by their affordability, nutritional value, and widespread culinary use. Major exporters are countries with significant coastal fisheries for these species, including Morocco, Peru, Chile, and Spain, which have developed large-scale fishing and freezing operations. Importers often include countries with large canning industries or populations that consume these fish regularly, such as Japan, various African nations, and parts of Europe. Key trade considerations involve managing fishing quotas for sustainability, ensuring efficient freezing immediately after catch, and adhering to strict quality control and food safety regulations to maintain product integrity during transit.
- Covers
- Whole frozen European pilchard
- Gutted frozen Pacific sardine
- Whole frozen round sardinella
- Frozen brisling (whole)
- Frozen sprats (gutted)
- Frozen Chilean sardine (whole)
- Frozen Moroccan sardine (gutted)
- Frozen Sardinops sagax (whole)
- Examples
- Pescanova Frozen Sardines
- Australis Seafoods Frozen Sardinella
- COPEINCA Frozen Sprats
- Conservera Gallega Frozen Sardines
- King Oscar Frozen Sprats
Codes often confused with 0303.53
Common mistake. This code might be confused with 030351 (herrings) due to similar appearance and size, or with 0304 (fillets) if the fish has been processed.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030353, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030353 in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 11% of world imports. Mauritania did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 23% of its exports here ($17M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Japan $139M 19% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$73M 10% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Mauritania* ~$68M 9.4% of world exports · partner records ↗
Mauritania did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 23% of its exports here ($17M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
World total: $722M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Thailand $81M 11% of world imports
- 2 Côte d'Ivoire $79M 11% of world imports
- 3 Spain $58M 8.0% of world imports
World total: $725M 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 0303.53
Brazil does not split HS 0303.53: its NCM code is 0303.53.00.
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 0303.53
What is HS code 030353?
HS code 030353 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, sardines (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp.), sardinella (Sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (Sprattus sprattus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This HS code encompasses frozen whole or gutted sardines (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp.), sardinella (Sardinella spp.), and brisling or sprats (Sprattus sprattus), explicitly excluding fillets, fish meat, and offal. These small pelagic fish are crucial for both direct consumption and as raw material for canning, fishmeal, and oil production, making them highly versatile in the global market. The international trade in these frozen forms is substantial, driven by their affordability, nutritional value, and widespread culinary use. Major exporters are countries with significant coastal fisheries for these species, including Morocco, Peru, Chile, and Spain, which have developed large-scale fishing and freezing operations. Importers often include countries with large canning industries or populations that consume these fish regularly, such as Japan, various African nations, and parts of Europe. Key trade considerations involve managing fishing quotas for sustainability, ensuring efficient freezing immediately after catch, and adhering to strict quality control and food safety regulations to maintain product integrity during transit.
What products fall under HS code 030353?
Whole frozen European pilchard, Gutted frozen Pacific sardine, Whole frozen round sardinella, Frozen brisling (whole), Frozen sprats (gutted), Frozen Chilean sardine (whole), Frozen Moroccan sardine (gutted), Frozen Sardinops sagax (whole)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030353?
This code might be confused with 030351 (herrings) due to similar appearance and size, or with 0304 (fillets) if the fish has been processed.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030353?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030353 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($139M, 19% of world exports), Russia (about $73M) and Mauritania (about $68M). World exports came to about $722M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Mauritania did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 23% of its exports here ($17M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 030353?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030353 in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($81M, 11% of world imports), Côte d'Ivoire ($79M) and Spain ($58M). World imports came to about $725M, 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 030353 structured?
HS code 030353 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 (53) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030353?
In Brazil, HS code 030353 is NCM 0303.53.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.