HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0304.59 – Fish meat; excluding fillets, whether or not minced; fresh or chilled, of fish n.e.c. in item no. 0304.5
HS code 0304.59 is the 6-digit subheading for fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced, fresh or chilled, of fish n.e.c. in item no. 0304.5. It is used for fresh snapper meat, chilled grouper portions, fresh mahi-mahi steaks, minced mackerel meat and fresh codfish cheeks.
What HS 0304.59 covers
This 'not elsewhere specified' (NES) code covers fresh or chilled fish meat, excluding fillets, from any species not specifically enumerated in the preceding 0304.5x subheadings. It serves as a catch-all for a vast array of other commercially traded fish, ranging from lesser-known local species to globally traded varieties that do not fit into the more specific categories. Trade under this code is highly diverse, reflecting regional culinary preferences, seasonal availability, and the specific fish stocks of various coastal nations. It often involves smaller volumes of niche products or species that are not dominant in international trade but are important locally or for specific ethnic markets.
- Covers
- Fresh snapper meat
- Chilled grouper portions
- Fresh mahi-mahi steaks
- Minced mackerel meat
- Fresh codfish cheeks
- Chilled monkfish tail (non-fillet)
- Fresh sea bass meat
- Examples
- Red Snapper (meat)
- Mahi-Mahi (meat)
- Monkfish (meat)
- Chilean Sea Bass (if not toothfish)
- Yellowfin Tuna (meat)
Codes often confused with 0304.59
Common mistake. This code is often confused with other specific fresh/chilled non-fillet codes (030451-030457) if the fish species is misidentified, or with 030499 (other frozen fish meat n.e.c.), where the preservation method is the key difference.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030459, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030459 in UN Comtrade data was Greece, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 43% 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 Greece $21M 20% of world exports
- 2 Mexico $14M 13% of world exports
- 3 Philippines $10M 9.9% of world exports
World total: $104M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $47M 43% of world imports
- 2 Italy $11M 10% of world imports
- 3 Germany $5.8M 5.4% of world imports
World total: $108M 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 0304.59
Brazil does not split HS 0304.59: its NCM code is 0304.59.00.
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 0304.59
What is HS code 030459?
HS code 030459 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish meat; excluding fillets, whether or not minced; fresh or chilled, of fish n.e.c. in item no. 0304.5. This 'not elsewhere specified' (NES) code covers fresh or chilled fish meat, excluding fillets, from any species not specifically enumerated in the preceding 0304.5x subheadings. It serves as a catch-all for a vast array of other commercially traded fish, ranging from lesser-known local species to globally traded varieties that do not fit into the more specific categories. Trade under this code is highly diverse, reflecting regional culinary preferences, seasonal availability, and the specific fish stocks of various coastal nations. It often involves smaller volumes of niche products or species that are not dominant in international trade but are important locally or for specific ethnic markets.
What products fall under HS code 030459?
Fresh snapper meat, chilled grouper portions, fresh mahi-mahi steaks, minced mackerel meat, fresh codfish cheeks, chilled monkfish tail (non-fillet), fresh sea bass meat
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030459?
This code is often confused with other specific fresh/chilled non-fillet codes (030451-030457) if the fish species is misidentified, or with 030499 (other frozen fish meat n.e.c.), where the preservation method is the key difference.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030459?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030459 in UN Comtrade data were Greece ($21M, 20% of world exports), Mexico ($14M) and the Philippines ($10M). World exports came to about $104M, 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 030459?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030459 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($47M, 43% of world imports), Italy ($11M) and Germany ($5.8M). World imports came to about $108M, 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 030459 structured?
HS code 030459 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 (59) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030459?
In Brazil, HS code 030459 is NCM 0304.59.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.