HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0303.59 – Fish; frozen, n.e.c. in item no. 0303.5, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99

HS code 0303.59 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, n.e.c. in item no. 0303.5, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. It is used for whole frozen mahi-mahi, frozen wahoo steaks, frozen amberjack portions, whole frozen pompano and frozen barracuda.

What HS 0303.59 covers

This "not elsewhere specified" (NES) code acts as a catch-all for various frozen fish species that fall under the broader category of "frozen fish" (excluding fillets, fish meat, and offal) but are not specifically enumerated in other 0303.5 subheadings like swordfish. It encompasses a diverse range of whole or cut (non-fillet) frozen fish, often traded in bulk for further processing or direct consumption. Importers are typically large seafood distributors, processors, and sometimes retail chains looking for a variety of fish beyond the most common types. Exporters are global, depending on regional fisheries. Key considerations include species identification, adherence to CITES regulations for endangered species, and ensuring proper labeling for consumer markets. The trade volume under this code can be substantial, reflecting the wide array of less common or regionally specific fish species.

Covers
  • Whole frozen mahi-mahi
  • Frozen wahoo steaks
  • Frozen amberjack portions
  • Whole frozen pompano
  • Frozen barracuda
  • Frozen escolar
  • Frozen opah
Examples
  • Global Seafood Distributors Mixed Frozen Fish
  • Oceanic Harvest Frozen Pelagic Fish
  • Seafood Express Bulk Frozen Fish
  • AquaDelight Frozen Specialty Fish

Codes often confused with 0303.59

Common mistake. This code is a residual category, so misclassification often occurs when a specific species *does* have its own dedicated code (e.g., 030357 for swordfish) or when the product is actually a fillet (0304.89).

0303.57Fish; frozen, swordfish (Xiphias gladius), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.990304.89Fish fillets; frozen, of fish n.e.c. in heading 0304.8

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030359, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030359 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 29% 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 China $181M
  2. 2 India $141M
  3. 3 Taiwan* ~$78M

World total: $820M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Thailand $270M
  2. 2 China $126M
  3. 3 Japan $74M

World total: $917M 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 codes for 0303.59 3

Brazil splits HS 0303.59 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 0303.59.10 Frozen marlins, sailfish and spearfishEspadins, marlins, veleiros (Istiophoridae)
  2. 0303.59.20 Frozen Argentine anchovyAnchoita (Engraulis anchoita)
  3. 0303.59.90 Other frozen anchovies and pelagic fishOutros

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 0303.59

What is HS code 030359?

HS code 030359 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, n.e.c. in item no. 0303.5, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This "not elsewhere specified" (NES) code acts as a catch-all for various frozen fish species that fall under the broader category of "frozen fish" (excluding fillets, fish meat, and offal) but are not specifically enumerated in other 0303.5 subheadings like swordfish. It encompasses a diverse range of whole or cut (non-fillet) frozen fish, often traded in bulk for further processing or direct consumption. Importers are typically large seafood distributors, processors, and sometimes retail chains looking for a variety of fish beyond the most common types. Exporters are global, depending on regional fisheries. Key considerations include species identification, adherence to CITES regulations for endangered species, and ensuring proper labeling for consumer markets. The trade volume under this code can be substantial, reflecting the wide array of less common or regionally specific fish species.

What products fall under HS code 030359?

Whole frozen mahi-mahi, frozen wahoo steaks, frozen amberjack portions, whole frozen pompano, frozen barracuda, frozen escolar, frozen opah

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030359?

This code is a residual category, so misclassification often occurs when a specific species *does* have its own dedicated code (e.g., 030357 for swordfish) or when the product is actually a fillet (0304.89).

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030359?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030359 in UN Comtrade data were China ($181M, 22% of world exports), India ($141M) and Taiwan (about $78M). World exports came to about $820M, 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 030359?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030359 in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($270M, 29% of world imports), China ($126M) and Japan ($74M). World imports came to about $917M, 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 030359 structured?

HS code 030359 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 (59) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030359?

Brazil splits HS code 030359 into 3 NCM codes: 0303.59.10 (Frozen marlins, sailfish and spearfish), 0303.59.20 (Frozen Argentine anchovy), 0303.59.90 (Other frozen anchovies and pelagic fish). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.