HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0303.68 – Fish; frozen, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99
HS code 0303.68 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. It is used for whole frozen blue whiting, frozen blue whiting blocks (non-fillet), frozen blue whiting portions (non-fillet), frozen Southern blue whiting and frozen Northern blue whiting.
What HS 0303.68 covers
This code covers frozen whole or cut (non-fillet) blue whitings, encompassing both Northern (Micromesistius poutassou) and Southern (Micromesistius australis) species. Blue whiting is a small, pelagic whitefish primarily used for fishmeal, surimi, and as a raw material for other processed fish products, though it also sees direct human consumption in some markets. Importers are often fishmeal producers, surimi manufacturers, and large-scale seafood processors. Exporters are typically countries with significant pelagic fisheries, such as Norway, Iceland, Russia, and Chile. Key considerations in this trade include managing large-volume catches, efficient onboard processing and freezing, and ensuring sustainable harvesting practices for these schooling fish. The trade in non-filleted blue whiting is largely industrial, supplying the base for various value-added products.
- Covers
- Whole frozen blue whiting
- Frozen blue whiting blocks (non-fillet)
- Frozen blue whiting portions (non-fillet)
- Frozen Southern blue whiting
- Frozen Northern blue whiting
- Examples
- Pelagic Fishery Blue Whiting
- Oceanic Catch Blue Whiting
- Chilean Blue Whiting
- Norwegian Blue Whiting
Codes often confused with 0303.68
Common mistake. Blue whiting is often processed into fishmeal (2301.20) or surimi (0304.99), so misclassification can occur if the product is already in these forms. It's also distinct from other "whiting" species like hake (Merluccius spp.).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030368, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030368 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 52% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Nigeria, with 54% 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 Netherlands $149M 52% of world exports
- 2 Ireland $41M 14% of world exports
- 3 Germany $34M 12% of world exports
World total: $284M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Nigeria $159M 54% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $37M 13% of world imports
- 3 China $31M 11% of world imports
World total: $292M 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 0303.68
Brazil does not split HS 0303.68: its NCM code is 0303.68.00.
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 0303.68
What is HS code 030368?
HS code 030368 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This code covers frozen whole or cut (non-fillet) blue whitings, encompassing both Northern (Micromesistius poutassou) and Southern (Micromesistius australis) species. Blue whiting is a small, pelagic whitefish primarily used for fishmeal, surimi, and as a raw material for other processed fish products, though it also sees direct human consumption in some markets. Importers are often fishmeal producers, surimi manufacturers, and large-scale seafood processors. Exporters are typically countries with significant pelagic fisheries, such as Norway, Iceland, Russia, and Chile. Key considerations in this trade include managing large-volume catches, efficient onboard processing and freezing, and ensuring sustainable harvesting practices for these schooling fish. The trade in non-filleted blue whiting is largely industrial, supplying the base for various value-added products.
What products fall under HS code 030368?
Whole frozen blue whiting, frozen blue whiting blocks (non-fillet), frozen blue whiting portions (non-fillet), frozen Southern blue whiting, frozen Northern blue whiting
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030368?
Blue whiting is often processed into fishmeal (2301.20) or surimi (0304.99), so misclassification can occur if the product is already in these forms. It's also distinct from other "whiting" species like hake (Merluccius spp.).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030368?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030368 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($149M, 52% of world exports), Ireland ($41M) and Germany ($34M). World exports came to about $284M, 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 030368?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030368 in UN Comtrade data were Nigeria ($159M, 54% of world imports), the Netherlands ($37M) and China ($31M). World imports came to about $292M, 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 030368 structured?
HS code 030368 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 (68) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030368?
In Brazil, HS code 030368 is NCM 0303.68.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.