HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0304.51 – Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; fresh or chilled, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads
HS code 0304.51 is the 6-digit subheading for fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced, fresh or chilled, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. It is used for fresh tilapia meat, chilled catfish portions, fresh carp chunks, chilled eel meat and fresh Nile perch steaks.
What HS 0304.51 covers
This HS code encompasses fresh or chilled fish meat, excluding fillets, from a specific group of freshwater and brackish water species: tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. This category is crucial for the global aquaculture industry, as many of these species are extensively farmed. Trade primarily involves whole fish or large cuts destined for further processing, local markets, or the food service industry, particularly in regions with strong culinary traditions for these fish. Developing countries, especially in Asia and Africa, are major exporters, supplying consumer markets in North America, Europe, and other parts of Asia. Key considerations in this trade include maintaining freshness during transport, adherence to food safety standards, and managing supply from diverse aquaculture operations.
- Covers
- Fresh tilapia meat
- Chilled catfish portions
- Fresh carp chunks
- Chilled eel meat
- Fresh Nile perch steaks
- Minced snakehead meat
- Fresh whole tilapia (for processing)
- Examples
- Regal Springs Tilapia (meat)
- US Farm-Raised Catfish (meat)
- Vietnamese Pangasius (meat)
- Japanese Unagi (eel meat)
- Lake Victoria Nile Perch (meat)
Codes often confused with 0304.51
Common mistake. This code might be confused with 030461 (frozen tilapia fillets) or 030491 (other frozen tilapia meat), as the form (fillet vs. non-fillet) and preservation method (fresh/chilled vs. frozen) are key distinctions.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030451, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030451 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 78% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Portugal, with 26% 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 China $22M 78% of world exports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$3.1M 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Thailand $1.4M 5.1% of world exports
World total: $28M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Portugal $3.4M 26% of world imports
- 2 Pakistan $2.6M 20% of world imports
- 3 Austria $1.5M 12% of world imports
World total: $13M 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 0304.51
Brazil does not split HS 0304.51: its NCM code is 0304.51.00.
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 0304.51
What is HS code 030451?
HS code 030451 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; fresh or chilled, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. This HS code encompasses fresh or chilled fish meat, excluding fillets, from a specific group of freshwater and brackish water species: tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. This category is crucial for the global aquaculture industry, as many of these species are extensively farmed. Trade primarily involves whole fish or large cuts destined for further processing, local markets, or the food service industry, particularly in regions with strong culinary traditions for these fish. Developing countries, especially in Asia and Africa, are major exporters, supplying consumer markets in North America, Europe, and other parts of Asia. Key considerations in this trade include maintaining freshness during transport, adherence to food safety standards, and managing supply from diverse aquaculture operations.
What products fall under HS code 030451?
Fresh tilapia meat, chilled catfish portions, fresh carp chunks, chilled eel meat, fresh Nile perch steaks, minced snakehead meat, fresh whole tilapia (for processing)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030451?
This code might be confused with 030461 (frozen tilapia fillets) or 030491 (other frozen tilapia meat), as the form (fillet vs. non-fillet) and preservation method (fresh/chilled vs. frozen) are key distinctions.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030451?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030451 in UN Comtrade data were China ($22M, 78% of world exports), Vietnam (about $3.1M) and Thailand ($1.4M). World exports came to about $28M, 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 030451?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030451 in UN Comtrade data were Portugal ($3.4M, 26% of world imports), Pakistan ($2.6M) and Austria ($1.5M). World imports came to about $13M, 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 030451 structured?
HS code 030451 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 (51) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030451?
In Brazil, HS code 030451 is NCM 0304.51.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.