HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0304.86 – Fish fillets; frozen, herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii)
HS code 0304.86 is the 6-digit subheading for fish fillets, frozen, herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii). It is used for frozen Atlantic herring fillets, frozen Pacific herring fillets, skin-on herring fillets, skin-off herring fillets and boneless herring fillets.
What HS 0304.86 covers
This HS code covers frozen fillets of herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii), a widely consumed and economically important fish species. Herring fillets are a staple in many European and Asian cuisines, often consumed smoked, marinated, or pickled, but also traded frozen for further processing or direct consumption. Large-scale fisheries in the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans supply the global market. The trade involves significant volumes, catering to both industrial processors and retail consumers. Importers include countries with a strong tradition of herring consumption, such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland. Exporters are typically nations with robust herring fisheries and processing capabilities, including Norway, Iceland, and Denmark. The market for frozen herring fillets is influenced by seasonal catches, processing innovations, and consumer preferences for convenience and traditional flavors.
- Covers
- Frozen Atlantic herring fillets
- Frozen Pacific herring fillets
- Skin-on herring fillets
- Skin-off herring fillets
- Boneless herring fillets
- Frozen marinated herring fillets
- Examples
- King Oscar (Herring Fillets)
- Matjes (Herring Fillets)
- Rügen Fisch (Herring Fillets)
- John West (Herring Fillets)
Codes often confused with 0304.86
Common mistake. Could be confused with 030489 (other frozen fish fillets n.e.c.) if not specifically identified as herring, or 030476 for fresh or chilled herring fillets.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030486, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030486 in UN Comtrade data was Norway, with 65% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Poland, 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 Norway $146M 65% of world exports
- 2 Sweden $37M 16% of world exports
- 3 Iceland $17M 7.4% of world exports
World total: $223M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Poland $82M 38% of world imports
- 2 Sweden $36M 17% of world imports
- 3 Germany $28M 13% of world imports
World total: $215M 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 0304.86
Brazil does not split HS 0304.86: its NCM code is 0304.86.00.
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 0304.86
What is HS code 030486?
HS code 030486 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish fillets; frozen, herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii). This HS code covers frozen fillets of herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii), a widely consumed and economically important fish species. Herring fillets are a staple in many European and Asian cuisines, often consumed smoked, marinated, or pickled, but also traded frozen for further processing or direct consumption. Large-scale fisheries in the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans supply the global market. The trade involves significant volumes, catering to both industrial processors and retail consumers. Importers include countries with a strong tradition of herring consumption, such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland. Exporters are typically nations with robust herring fisheries and processing capabilities, including Norway, Iceland, and Denmark. The market for frozen herring fillets is influenced by seasonal catches, processing innovations, and consumer preferences for convenience and traditional flavors.
What products fall under HS code 030486?
Frozen Atlantic herring fillets, frozen Pacific herring fillets, skin-on herring fillets, skin-off herring fillets, boneless herring fillets, frozen marinated herring fillets
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030486?
Could be confused with 030489 (other frozen fish fillets n.e.c.) if not specifically identified as herring, or 030476 for fresh or chilled herring fillets.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030486?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030486 in UN Comtrade data were Norway ($146M, 65% of world exports), Sweden ($37M) and Iceland ($17M). World exports came to about $223M, 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 030486?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030486 in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($82M, 38% of world imports), Sweden ($36M) and Germany ($28M). World imports came to about $215M, 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 030486 structured?
HS code 030486 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 (86) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030486?
In Brazil, HS code 030486 is NCM 0304.86.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.