HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0304.43 – Fish fillets; fresh or chilled, flat fish (Pleuronectidae, Bothidae, Cynoglossidae, Soleidae, Scophthalmidae and Citharidae)
HS code 0304.43 is the 6-digit subheading for fish fillets, fresh or chilled, flat fish (Pleuronectidae, Bothidae, Cynoglossidae, Soleidae, Scophthalmidae and Citharidae). It is used for dover sole fillets, turbot fillets, halibut fillets, flounder fillets and plaice fillets.
What HS 0304.43 covers
This HS code covers fresh or chilled fillets from a diverse group of flatfish families, including Pleuronectidae (e.g., plaice, flounder), Bothidae (e.g., turbot), Cynoglossidae (tongue sole), Soleidae (true soles), Scophthalmidae (brill), and Citharidae. Flatfish fillets are highly prized in many culinary traditions, particularly in Europe, for their delicate texture and mild, sweet flavor. Species like Dover sole and turbot command premium prices in fine dining and upscale retail. The trade involves both wild-caught and, to a lesser extent, farmed species. Importers include high-end restaurants, seafood markets, and gourmet grocery stores, primarily in Europe and North America. Exporters are typically countries with access to rich flatfish grounds in the North Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean. Maintaining an unbroken cold chain is paramount for these delicate fillets, and traceability is increasingly important due to concerns about overfishing and sustainable management of bottom-dwelling species.
- Covers
- Dover sole fillets
- Turbot fillets
- Halibut fillets
- Flounder fillets
- Plaice fillets
- Lemon sole fillets
- Dab fillets
- Examples
- North Sea Dover Sole Fillets
- Greenland Halibut Fillets
- Atlantic Turbot Fillets
- Pacific Flounder Fillets
Codes often confused with 0304.43
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 030483 (frozen flatfish fillets) if the product is frozen, or from 030221-030229 if the flatfish are whole and not filleted.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030443, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030443 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 39% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 22% 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 $27M 39% of world exports
- 2 Spain $14M 20% of world exports
- 3 Canada $9.4M 13% of world exports
World total: $71M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $22M 22% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $22M 22% of world imports
- 3 Switzerland $13M 13% of world imports
World total: $101M 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 0304.43
Brazil does not split HS 0304.43: its NCM code is 0304.43.00.
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 0304.43
What is HS code 030443?
HS code 030443 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish fillets; fresh or chilled, flat fish (Pleuronectidae, Bothidae, Cynoglossidae, Soleidae, Scophthalmidae and Citharidae). This HS code covers fresh or chilled fillets from a diverse group of flatfish families, including Pleuronectidae (e.g., plaice, flounder), Bothidae (e.g., turbot), Cynoglossidae (tongue sole), Soleidae (true soles), Scophthalmidae (brill), and Citharidae. Flatfish fillets are highly prized in many culinary traditions, particularly in Europe, for their delicate texture and mild, sweet flavor. Species like Dover sole and turbot command premium prices in fine dining and upscale retail. The trade involves both wild-caught and, to a lesser extent, farmed species. Importers include high-end restaurants, seafood markets, and gourmet grocery stores, primarily in Europe and North America. Exporters are typically countries with access to rich flatfish grounds in the North Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean. Maintaining an unbroken cold chain is paramount for these delicate fillets, and traceability is increasingly important due to concerns about overfishing and sustainable management of bottom-dwelling species.
What products fall under HS code 030443?
Dover sole fillets, Turbot fillets, Halibut fillets, Flounder fillets, Plaice fillets, Lemon sole fillets, Dab fillets
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030443?
This code is distinct from 030483 (frozen flatfish fillets) if the product is frozen, or from 030221-030229 if the flatfish are whole and not filleted.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030443?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030443 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($27M, 39% of world exports), Spain ($14M) and Canada ($9.4M). World exports came to about $71M, 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 030443?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030443 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($22M, 22% of world imports), the Netherlands ($22M) and Switzerland ($13M). World imports came to about $101M, 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 030443 structured?
HS code 030443 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 (43) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030443?
In Brazil, HS code 030443 is NCM 0304.43.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.