HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0303.91 – Fish; frozen, livers, roes and milt

HS code 0303.91 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, frozen, livers, roes and milt. It is used for frozen cod roe, frozen salmon roe, frozen herring roe, frozen sturgeon caviar (unprocessed) and frozen fish milt.

What HS 0303.91 covers

This HS code specifically covers frozen fish livers, roes (eggs), and milt (sperm), which are considered edible fish offal but are distinct enough to warrant their own category due to their culinary and commercial value. These products are often highly sought after as delicacies or for their nutritional properties, particularly fish roe, which includes caviar and other popular varieties. Importers typically include specialty food distributors, gourmet restaurants, and Asian markets in countries like Japan, South Korea, and various European nations. Exporters are fishing nations or aquaculture producers with significant processing capabilities, such as Norway (for cod roe), Russia (for caviar), and Iceland. The trade requires meticulous handling and freezing to preserve quality, as these products are delicate. Traceability, food safety standards, and CITES regulations (for sturgeon caviar) are crucial considerations in this specialized segment of the seafood trade.

Covers
  • Frozen cod roe
  • Frozen salmon roe
  • Frozen herring roe
  • Frozen sturgeon caviar (unprocessed)
  • Frozen fish milt
  • Frozen pollock roe
  • Frozen tuna liver
Examples
  • Frozen Norwegian Cod Roe
  • Frozen Ikura (salmon roe)
  • Frozen Tobiko (flying fish roe)
  • Frozen Masago (capelin roe)
  • Frozen Lumpfish Roe

Codes often confused with 0303.91

Common mistake. This code is distinct from other edible fish offal under 030399, which covers fins, heads, tails, etc.; misclassification could occur if these specific items are grouped with general offal.

0303.99Fish; frozen, fish fins (other than shark fins), heads, tails, maws and other edible fish offal

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030391, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030391 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 43% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, 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. 1 United States $535M
  2. 2 Russia* ~$272M
  3. 3 China $79M

World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Japan $652M
  2. 2 China $129M
  3. 3 Taiwan* ~$102M

World total: $1.2B 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 0303.91 2

Brazil splits HS 0303.91 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 0303.91.10 Frozen mullet roeOvas de tainhas (Mugil spp.)
  2. 0303.91.90 Other frozen fish livers, roes and miltOutros

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 0303.91

What is HS code 030391?

HS code 030391 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; frozen, livers, roes and milt. This HS code specifically covers frozen fish livers, roes (eggs), and milt (sperm), which are considered edible fish offal but are distinct enough to warrant their own category due to their culinary and commercial value. These products are often highly sought after as delicacies or for their nutritional properties, particularly fish roe, which includes caviar and other popular varieties. Importers typically include specialty food distributors, gourmet restaurants, and Asian markets in countries like Japan, South Korea, and various European nations. Exporters are fishing nations or aquaculture producers with significant processing capabilities, such as Norway (for cod roe), Russia (for caviar), and Iceland. The trade requires meticulous handling and freezing to preserve quality, as these products are delicate. Traceability, food safety standards, and CITES regulations (for sturgeon caviar) are crucial considerations in this specialized segment of the seafood trade.

What products fall under HS code 030391?

Frozen cod roe, frozen salmon roe, frozen herring roe, frozen sturgeon caviar (unprocessed), frozen fish milt, frozen pollock roe, frozen tuna liver

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030391?

This code is distinct from other edible fish offal under 030399, which covers fins, heads, tails, etc.; misclassification could occur if these specific items are grouped with general offal.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030391?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030391 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($535M, 43% of world exports), Russia (about $272M) and China ($79M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 030391?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030391 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($652M, 54% of world imports), China ($129M) and Taiwan (about $102M). World imports came to about $1.2B, 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 030391 structured?

HS code 030391 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 (91) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030391?

Brazil splits HS code 030391 into 2 NCM codes: 0303.91.10 (Frozen mullet roe), 0303.91.90 (Other frozen fish livers, roes and milt). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.