HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0303.81 – Fish; frozen, dogfish and other sharks, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99

HS code 0303.81 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, dogfish and other sharks, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. It is used for frozen whole dogfish, frozen gutted shark, frozen shark trunks, frozen shark steaks (not fillets) and frozen shark carcasses.

What HS 0303.81 covers

This HS code covers frozen dogfish and other shark species, excluding fillets and edible offal. The trade in frozen shark products is complex, often driven by demand for specific parts in different global markets. For instance, dogfish meat is consumed in parts of Europe, while other shark species are traded for their meat, skin, or fins, particularly in Asian markets. Importers range from specialized seafood distributors to processors catering to ethnic markets. Exporters are typically countries with significant shark fisheries, facing increasing scrutiny regarding sustainability and conservation efforts. Key challenges in this trade include compliance with CITES regulations for endangered species, traceability, and ensuring ethical sourcing, as public awareness about shark conservation grows.

Covers
  • Frozen whole dogfish
  • Frozen gutted shark
  • Frozen shark trunks
  • Frozen shark steaks (not fillets)
  • Frozen shark carcasses
  • Frozen shark portions (not fillets)
Examples
  • Seafood companies supplying Asian markets
  • European fishmongers (for dogfish)
  • specialized shark meat distributors
  • wholesale seafood markets

Codes often confused with 0303.81

Common mistake. This code can be confused with fresh or chilled dogfish and other sharks (0302.81) or shark fillets, fresh, chilled or frozen (0304.89). The defining characteristics are 'frozen' and 'not fillets'.

0302.81Fish; fresh or chilled, dogfish and other sharks, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.990304.89Fish fillets; frozen, of fish n.e.c. in heading 0304.8

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030381, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030381 in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 19% 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 Spain $22M
  2. 2 Portugal $18M
  3. 3 Taiwan* ~$15M

World total: $75M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Spain $14M
  2. 2 Brazil $12M
  3. 3 Portugal $11M

World total: $73M 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 0303.81 6

Brazil splits HS 0303.81 into 6 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 0303.81.1 Blue shark (Prionace glauca)Tubarão-azul (Prionace glauca) Group
  2. 0303.81.11 Frozen blue shark, wholeInteiro
  3. 0303.81.12 Frozen blue shark, gutted, headless, finlessEviscerado, sem cabeça e sem barbatanas
  4. 0303.81.13 Frozen blue shark pieces, skin-onEm pedaços, com pele
  5. 0303.81.14 Frozen blue shark pieces, skinlessEm pedaços, sem pele
  6. 0303.81.19 Other frozen blue sharkOutros
  7. 0303.81.90 Frozen dogfish and other sharks (not blue shark)Outros

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 0303.81

What is HS code 030381?

HS code 030381 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, dogfish and other sharks, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This HS code covers frozen dogfish and other shark species, excluding fillets and edible offal. The trade in frozen shark products is complex, often driven by demand for specific parts in different global markets. For instance, dogfish meat is consumed in parts of Europe, while other shark species are traded for their meat, skin, or fins, particularly in Asian markets. Importers range from specialized seafood distributors to processors catering to ethnic markets. Exporters are typically countries with significant shark fisheries, facing increasing scrutiny regarding sustainability and conservation efforts. Key challenges in this trade include compliance with CITES regulations for endangered species, traceability, and ensuring ethical sourcing, as public awareness about shark conservation grows.

What products fall under HS code 030381?

Frozen whole dogfish, frozen gutted shark, frozen shark trunks, frozen shark steaks (not fillets), frozen shark carcasses, frozen shark portions (not fillets)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030381?

This code can be confused with fresh or chilled dogfish and other sharks (0302.81) or shark fillets, fresh, chilled or frozen (0304.89). The defining characteristics are 'frozen' and 'not fillets'.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030381?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030381 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($22M, 30% of world exports), Portugal ($18M) and Taiwan (about $15M). World exports came to about $75M, 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 030381?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030381 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($14M, 19% of world imports), Brazil ($12M) and Portugal ($11M). World imports came to about $73M, 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 030381 structured?

HS code 030381 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 (81) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030381?

Brazil splits HS code 030381 into 6 NCM codes: 0303.81.11 (Frozen blue shark, whole), 0303.81.12 (Frozen blue shark, gutted, headless, finless), 0303.81.13 (Frozen blue shark pieces, skin-on), 0303.81.14 (Frozen blue shark pieces, skinless), 0303.81.19 (Other frozen blue shark), 0303.81.90 (Frozen dogfish and other sharks (not blue shark)). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.