HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0304.33 – Fish fillets; fresh or chilled, Nile perch (Lates niloticus)
HS code 0304.33 is the 6-digit subheading for fish fillets, fresh or chilled, Nile perch (Lates niloticus). It is used for fresh Nile perch fillets, chilled Nile perch fillets, skin-on Nile perch fillets, skinless Nile perch fillets and boneless Nile perch fillets.
What HS 0304.33 covers
This code specifically refers to fresh or chilled fillets of Nile perch (Lates niloticus), a large freshwater fish primarily sourced from Lake Victoria in East Africa. The trade of Nile perch fillets is vital for the economies of countries bordering the lake, providing significant export revenue and employment. These fillets are prized for their firm, white flesh and mild flavor, making them popular in European markets, particularly among restaurant and retail sectors. Importers are typically European seafood distributors and supermarket chains. Exporters are processing plants located in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Key challenges include maintaining the cold chain from source to destination, ensuring compliance with EU import standards, and managing the ecological sustainability of the Lake Victoria fishery, which faces environmental pressures.
- Covers
- Fresh Nile perch fillets
- Chilled Nile perch fillets
- Skin-on Nile perch fillets
- Skinless Nile perch fillets
- Boneless Nile perch fillets
- Bulk Nile perch fillets
- Examples
- Lake Victoria Fish Processors
- various European seafood distributors
- specific African export brands
- restaurant suppliers
Codes often confused with 0304.33
Common mistake. Can be confused with frozen Nile perch fillets (which would fall under 0304.69 as 'other' frozen fillets) or whole fresh or chilled Nile perch (which would fall under 0302.79 as 'other' fresh/chilled whole fish). The 'fresh or chilled' and 'fillets' are key.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030433, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030433 in UN Comtrade data was Uganda, with 48% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 38% 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 Uganda $65M 48% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $35M 26% of world exports
- 3 Tanzania $22M 16% of world exports
World total: $136M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $44M 38% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $18M 16% of world imports
- 3 Spain $12M 10% of world imports
World total: $117M 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 0304.33
Brazil does not split HS 0304.33: its NCM code is 0304.33.00.
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 0304.33
What is HS code 030433?
HS code 030433 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish fillets; fresh or chilled, Nile perch (Lates niloticus). This code specifically refers to fresh or chilled fillets of Nile perch (Lates niloticus), a large freshwater fish primarily sourced from Lake Victoria in East Africa. The trade of Nile perch fillets is vital for the economies of countries bordering the lake, providing significant export revenue and employment. These fillets are prized for their firm, white flesh and mild flavor, making them popular in European markets, particularly among restaurant and retail sectors. Importers are typically European seafood distributors and supermarket chains. Exporters are processing plants located in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Key challenges include maintaining the cold chain from source to destination, ensuring compliance with EU import standards, and managing the ecological sustainability of the Lake Victoria fishery, which faces environmental pressures.
What products fall under HS code 030433?
Fresh Nile perch fillets, chilled Nile perch fillets, skin-on Nile perch fillets, skinless Nile perch fillets, boneless Nile perch fillets, bulk Nile perch fillets
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030433?
Can be confused with frozen Nile perch fillets (which would fall under 0304.69 as 'other' frozen fillets) or whole fresh or chilled Nile perch (which would fall under 0302.79 as 'other' fresh/chilled whole fish). The 'fresh or chilled' and 'fillets' are key.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030433?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030433 in UN Comtrade data were Uganda ($65M, 48% of world exports), the Netherlands ($35M) and Tanzania ($22M). World exports came to about $136M, 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 030433?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030433 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($44M, 38% of world imports), the Netherlands ($18M) and Spain ($12M). World imports came to about $117M, 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 030433 structured?
HS code 030433 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 (33) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030433?
In Brazil, HS code 030433 is NCM 0304.33.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.