HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0303.55 – Fish; frozen, jack and horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
HS code 0303.55 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, jack and horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. It is used for frozen whole jack mackerel, frozen whole horse mackerel, frozen mackerel blocks, frozen gutted mackerel and frozen headed mackerel.
What HS 0303.55 covers
This code covers frozen jack and horse mackerel, a significant commodity in global seafood trade. These fish are often caught in large quantities by industrial fishing fleets and then frozen whole or in large blocks for preservation and transport. Major importers are countries with high per capita fish consumption or those that process fish for re-export, particularly in Africa and Asia, where these species are a staple food source due to their affordability and nutritional value. Exporters typically include countries with extensive coastlines and advanced fishing industries, such as Peru, Chile, and various European nations. Key things to know include the importance of sustainable fishing practices to prevent overfishing, the role of cold chain logistics in maintaining product quality, and the impact of international trade agreements and tariffs on market access. The trade in these frozen fish supports livelihoods in many coastal communities and provides an essential protein source globally, making it a vital component of the international food supply chain.
- Covers
- Frozen whole jack mackerel
- Frozen whole horse mackerel
- Frozen mackerel blocks
- Frozen gutted mackerel
- Frozen headed mackerel
- Frozen Trachurus spp.
- Examples
- Pescanova frozen mackerel
- Pacific Andes frozen mackerel
- Dongwon frozen mackerel
- Thai Union frozen mackerel
Codes often confused with 0303.55
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 030354 (frozen herrings) or 030359 (other frozen mackerel) if the specific species isn't correctly identified, leading to incorrect tariff application.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030355, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030355 in UN Comtrade data was Chile, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Côte d'Ivoire, with 22% 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 72% of its exports here ($59M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Chile $438M 36% of world exports
- 2 Namibia $229M 19% of world exports
- 3 Morocco $80M 6.5% of world exports
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 72% of its exports here ($59M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Côte d'Ivoire $305M 22% of world imports
- 2 Nigeria $179M 13% of world imports
- 3 Zambia* ~$162M 12% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.4B 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 0303.55
Brazil does not split HS 0303.55: its NCM code is 0303.55.00.
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 0303.55
What is HS code 030355?
HS code 030355 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, jack and horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This code covers frozen jack and horse mackerel, a significant commodity in global seafood trade. These fish are often caught in large quantities by industrial fishing fleets and then frozen whole or in large blocks for preservation and transport. Major importers are countries with high per capita fish consumption or those that process fish for re-export, particularly in Africa and Asia, where these species are a staple food source due to their affordability and nutritional value. Exporters typically include countries with extensive coastlines and advanced fishing industries, such as Peru, Chile, and various European nations. Key things to know include the importance of sustainable fishing practices to prevent overfishing, the role of cold chain logistics in maintaining product quality, and the impact of international trade agreements and tariffs on market access. The trade in these frozen fish supports livelihoods in many coastal communities and provides an essential protein source globally, making it a vital component of the international food supply chain.
What products fall under HS code 030355?
Frozen whole jack mackerel, Frozen whole horse mackerel, Frozen mackerel blocks, Frozen gutted mackerel, Frozen headed mackerel, Frozen Trachurus spp.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030355?
This code is often confused with 030354 (frozen herrings) or 030359 (other frozen mackerel) if the specific species isn't correctly identified, leading to incorrect tariff application.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030355?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030355 in UN Comtrade data were Chile ($438M, 36% of world exports), Namibia ($229M) and Morocco ($80M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 72% of its exports here ($59M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 030355?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030355 in UN Comtrade data were Côte d'Ivoire ($305M, 22% of world imports), Nigeria ($179M) and Zambia (about $162M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 030355 structured?
HS code 030355 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 (55) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030355?
In Brazil, HS code 030355 is NCM 0303.55.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.