HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0303.66 – Fish; frozen, hake (Merluccius spp., Urophycis spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
HS code 0303.66 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, hake (Merluccius spp., Urophycis spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. It is used for whole frozen Patagonian hake, frozen Cape hake steaks, frozen Pacific hake portions (non-fillet), frozen European hake and frozen silver hake.
What HS 0303.66 covers
This code encompasses frozen whole or cut (non-fillet) hake from various species within the Merluccius and Urophycis genera. Hake is a globally important whitefish, particularly prominent in European, African, and South American markets, valued for its delicate flavor and tender flesh. It's a significant commodity for both direct consumption and further processing. Importers include seafood distributors, processors, and retail chains seeking a versatile and often more affordable whitefish option. Exporters are diverse, ranging from South American nations (e.g., Argentina, Chile) to European countries (e.g., Spain, Portugal) and South Africa, depending on the specific hake species. Key considerations include sustainable fishing practices, managing bycatch, and maintaining strict cold chain integrity during long-distance transport. The trade in non-filleted hake often involves large volumes for industrial processing.
- Covers
- Whole frozen Patagonian hake
- Frozen Cape hake steaks
- Frozen Pacific hake portions (non-fillet)
- Frozen European hake
- Frozen silver hake
- Frozen hake loins (non-fillet)
- Examples
- Pescanova Hake
- Argentine Hake
- South African Hake
- Vima Foods Hake
Codes often confused with 0303.66
Common mistake. Hake is frequently filleted, so this code is often confused with 0304.84 (frozen hake fillets); the "excluding fillets" clause is critical. It might also be mistaken for other frozen whitefish if species identification is not precise.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030366, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030366 in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 17% of world imports. Ukraine 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 4.1% of its imports here ($3.0M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Spain $181M 29% of world exports
- 2 United States $114M 18% of world exports
- 3 Argentina $70M 11% of world exports
World total: $630M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Spain $103M 17% of world imports
- 2 Portugal $83M 14% of world imports
- 3 Ukraine* ~$83M 14% of world imports · partner records ↗
Ukraine 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 4.1% of its imports here ($3.0M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
World total: $607M 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 0303.66
Brazil does not split HS 0303.66: its NCM code is 0303.66.00.
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 0303.66
What is HS code 030366?
HS code 030366 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, hake (Merluccius spp., Urophycis spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This code encompasses frozen whole or cut (non-fillet) hake from various species within the Merluccius and Urophycis genera. Hake is a globally important whitefish, particularly prominent in European, African, and South American markets, valued for its delicate flavor and tender flesh. It's a significant commodity for both direct consumption and further processing. Importers include seafood distributors, processors, and retail chains seeking a versatile and often more affordable whitefish option. Exporters are diverse, ranging from South American nations (e.g., Argentina, Chile) to European countries (e.g., Spain, Portugal) and South Africa, depending on the specific hake species. Key considerations include sustainable fishing practices, managing bycatch, and maintaining strict cold chain integrity during long-distance transport. The trade in non-filleted hake often involves large volumes for industrial processing.
What products fall under HS code 030366?
Whole frozen Patagonian hake, frozen Cape hake steaks, frozen Pacific hake portions (non-fillet), frozen European hake, frozen silver hake, frozen hake loins (non-fillet)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030366?
Hake is frequently filleted, so this code is often confused with 0304.84 (frozen hake fillets); the "excluding fillets" clause is critical. It might also be mistaken for other frozen whitefish if species identification is not precise.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030366?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030366 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($181M, 29% of world exports), the United States ($114M) and Argentina ($70M). World exports came to about $630M, 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 030366?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030366 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($103M, 17% of world imports), Portugal ($83M) and Ukraine (about $83M). World imports came to about $607M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Ukraine 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 4.1% of its imports here ($3.0M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
How is HS code 030366 structured?
HS code 030366 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 (66) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030366?
In Brazil, HS code 030366 is NCM 0303.66.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.