HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0303.54 – Fish; frozen, mackerel (Scomber scombrus, Scomber australasicus, Scomber japonicus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
HS code 0303.54 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, mackerel (Scomber scombrus, Scomber australasicus, Scomber japonicus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. It is used for whole frozen Atlantic mackerel, gutted frozen Pacific mackerel, whole frozen Chub mackerel, frozen Spanish mackerel (whole) and frozen Indian mackerel (gutted).
What HS 0303.54 covers
This HS code covers frozen whole or gutted mackerel of specific species (Scomber scombrus, Scomber australasicus, Scomber japonicus), excluding fillets, fish meat, and offal. Mackerel is a highly migratory and commercially important pelagic fish, valued for its rich flavor and high omega-3 fatty acid content, making it a sought-after seafood globally. The international trade in frozen whole mackerel is significant, serving both direct consumer markets and processing industries that produce smoked, canned, or pickled mackerel products. Major exporters are countries with large mackerel fisheries, primarily in the North Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, such as Norway, Russia, Japan, and China, which have robust fishing fleets. Importers include countries with high demand for seafood, particularly those with traditional mackerel consumption or processing capabilities, like Nigeria, Egypt, and various European nations. Key trade considerations involve managing sustainable fishing quotas, ensuring rapid freezing and proper storage to prevent spoilage, and complying with international food safety and traceability standards.
- Covers
- Whole frozen Atlantic mackerel
- Gutted frozen Pacific mackerel
- Whole frozen Chub mackerel
- Frozen Spanish mackerel (whole)
- Frozen Indian mackerel (gutted)
- Frozen Japanese mackerel (whole)
- Frozen Boston mackerel (gutted)
- Frozen Scomber scombrus (whole)
- Examples
- Pelagia Frozen Mackerel
- Russian Fishery Company Frozen Mackerel
- Maruha Nichiro Frozen Mackerel
- Thai Union Frozen Mackerel
- Dongwon Frozen Mackerel
Codes often confused with 0303.54
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 030355 (jack and horse mackerel) due to similar names, or with 0304 (mackerel fillets) if the fish has been processed.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030354, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030354 in UN Comtrade data was Norway, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 9.2% 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 Norway $736M 25% of world exports
- 2 China $486M 16% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $258M 8.7% of world exports
World total: $3.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $244M 9.2% of world imports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$231M 8.7% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Japan $209M 7.9% of world imports
World total: $2.7B 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. 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 0303.54
Brazil does not split HS 0303.54: its NCM code is 0303.54.00.
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 0303.54
What is HS code 030354?
HS code 030354 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, mackerel (Scomber scombrus, Scomber australasicus, Scomber japonicus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This HS code covers frozen whole or gutted mackerel of specific species (Scomber scombrus, Scomber australasicus, Scomber japonicus), excluding fillets, fish meat, and offal. Mackerel is a highly migratory and commercially important pelagic fish, valued for its rich flavor and high omega-3 fatty acid content, making it a sought-after seafood globally. The international trade in frozen whole mackerel is significant, serving both direct consumer markets and processing industries that produce smoked, canned, or pickled mackerel products. Major exporters are countries with large mackerel fisheries, primarily in the North Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, such as Norway, Russia, Japan, and China, which have robust fishing fleets. Importers include countries with high demand for seafood, particularly those with traditional mackerel consumption or processing capabilities, like Nigeria, Egypt, and various European nations. Key trade considerations involve managing sustainable fishing quotas, ensuring rapid freezing and proper storage to prevent spoilage, and complying with international food safety and traceability standards.
What products fall under HS code 030354?
Whole frozen Atlantic mackerel, Gutted frozen Pacific mackerel, Whole frozen Chub mackerel, Frozen Spanish mackerel (whole), Frozen Indian mackerel (gutted), Frozen Japanese mackerel (whole), Frozen Boston mackerel (gutted), Frozen Scomber scombrus (whole)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030354?
This code can be confused with 030355 (jack and horse mackerel) due to similar names, or with 0304 (mackerel fillets) if the fish has been processed.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030354?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030354 in UN Comtrade data were Norway ($736M, 25% of world exports), China ($486M) and the United Kingdom ($258M). World exports came to about $3.0B, 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 030354?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030354 in UN Comtrade data were China ($244M, 9.2% of world imports), Vietnam (about $231M) and Japan ($209M). World imports came to about $2.7B, 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 030354 structured?
HS code 030354 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 (54) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030354?
In Brazil, HS code 030354 is NCM 0303.54.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.