HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0304.31 – Fish fillets; fresh or chilled, tilapias (Oreochromis spp.)

HS code 0304.31 is the 6-digit subheading for fish fillets, fresh or chilled, tilapias (Oreochromis spp.). It is used for fresh tilapia fillets, chilled tilapia fillets, skin-on tilapia fillets, skinless tilapia fillets and boneless tilapia fillets.

What HS 0304.31 covers

This code specifically identifies fresh or chilled fillets of tilapias (Oreochromis spp.), a cornerstone of the global aquaculture industry. Tilapia fillets are highly sought after for their mild flavor, versatility, and affordability, making them a staple in both retail and foodservice sectors worldwide. The trade is dominated by large-scale aquaculture operations, primarily in Asia, which supply a consistent volume of product to major consumer markets. Importers include supermarket chains, restaurant suppliers, and food processors looking for a reliable and cost-effective protein source. Key aspects of this trade involve maintaining the cold chain to ensure freshness, adherence to food safety standards, and increasingly, certifications for sustainable aquaculture practices, as consumers become more environmentally conscious.

Covers
  • Fresh tilapia fillets
  • Chilled tilapia fillets
  • Skin-on tilapia fillets
  • Skinless tilapia fillets
  • Boneless tilapia fillets
  • Individually quick frozen (IQF) tilapia fillets (if chilled before freezing)
  • Bulk tilapia fillets
Examples
  • Regal Springs Tilapia
  • AquaChile Tilapia
  • various supermarket brands (e.g., Whole Foods, Walmart)
  • foodservice distributors

Codes often confused with 0304.31

Common mistake. This code is often confused with frozen tilapia fillets (0304.61) or whole fresh or chilled tilapia (0302.71). The critical differentiators are 'fresh or chilled' and 'fillets'.

0304.61Fish fillets; frozen, tilapias (Oreochromis spp.)0302.71Fish; fresh or chilled, tilapias (Oreochromis spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030431, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030431 in UN Comtrade data was Colombia, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 80% 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 Colombia $62M
  2. 2 Brazil $41M
  3. 3 Honduras* ~$38M

World total: $169M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $153M
  2. 2 Canada $19M
  3. 3 Hong Kong $3.3M

World total: $192M 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 0304.31

Brazil does not split HS 0304.31: its NCM code is 0304.31.00.

  1. 0304.31.00 Fresh or chilled tilapia filletsTilápias (Oreochromis spp.)

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 03.04 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 0304.31

What is HS code 030431?

HS code 030431 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish fillets; fresh or chilled, tilapias (Oreochromis spp.). This code specifically identifies fresh or chilled fillets of tilapias (Oreochromis spp.), a cornerstone of the global aquaculture industry. Tilapia fillets are highly sought after for their mild flavor, versatility, and affordability, making them a staple in both retail and foodservice sectors worldwide. The trade is dominated by large-scale aquaculture operations, primarily in Asia, which supply a consistent volume of product to major consumer markets. Importers include supermarket chains, restaurant suppliers, and food processors looking for a reliable and cost-effective protein source. Key aspects of this trade involve maintaining the cold chain to ensure freshness, adherence to food safety standards, and increasingly, certifications for sustainable aquaculture practices, as consumers become more environmentally conscious.

What products fall under HS code 030431?

Fresh tilapia fillets, chilled tilapia fillets, skin-on tilapia fillets, skinless tilapia fillets, boneless tilapia fillets, individually quick frozen (IQF) tilapia fillets (if chilled before freezing), bulk tilapia fillets

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030431?

This code is often confused with frozen tilapia fillets (0304.61) or whole fresh or chilled tilapia (0302.71). The critical differentiators are 'fresh or chilled' and 'fillets'.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030431?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030431 in UN Comtrade data were Colombia ($62M, 37% of world exports), Brazil ($41M) and Honduras (about $38M). World exports came to about $169M, 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 030431?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030431 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($153M, 80% of world imports), Canada ($19M) and Hong Kong ($3.3M). World imports came to about $192M, 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 030431 structured?

HS code 030431 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (03) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030431?

In Brazil, HS code 030431 is NCM 0304.31.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.