HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0304.93 – Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; frozen, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads
HS code 0304.93 is the 6-digit subheading for fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced, frozen, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. It is used for frozen minced tilapia, frozen catfish blocks, frozen carp meat, frozen eel meat (non-fillet) and frozen Nile perch chunks.
What HS 0304.93 covers
This HS code encompasses frozen fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced, from a specific group of freshwater and brackish water species: tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. This category is vital for the global trade of processed seafood, as these species are widely farmed and consumed, particularly in Asia, Africa, and increasingly in Western markets. The frozen meat, often in block or minced form, serves as a primary ingredient for a vast array of value-added products, including fish balls, surimi, fish paste, and various prepared meals. The trade involves large volumes, driven by the efficiency of aquaculture and the versatility of these fish in food manufacturing. Importers include countries with large processing industries or significant ethnic populations consuming these products, while exporters are typically major aquaculture producers.
- Covers
- Frozen minced tilapia
- Frozen catfish blocks
- Frozen carp meat
- Frozen eel meat (non-fillet)
- Frozen Nile perch chunks
- Frozen snakehead meat
- Frozen fish paste (from these species)
- Examples
- Regal Springs (Tilapia trim)
- various Asian food manufacturers (Minced Catfish Blocks)
- Pangasius (Catfish meat blocks)
- Iglo (Fish fingers using these species' meat)
Codes often confused with 0304.93
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 030489 (frozen fillets of fish n.e.c.) or 03047x for fresh/chilled products. It's crucial to ensure the product is indeed "meat, excluding fillets" and from the specified species, not 030499 (other frozen fish meat n.e.c.).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030493, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030493 in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 80% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, 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 Vietnam* ~$25M 80% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Netherlands $2.3M 7.3% of world exports
- 3 Indonesia $1.1M 3.6% of world exports
World total: $31M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $23M 38% of world imports
- 2 China $15M 24% of world imports
- 3 Italy $6.2M 10% of world imports
World total: $62M 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 0304.93
Brazil does not split HS 0304.93: its NCM code is 0304.93.00.
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 0304.93
What is HS code 030493?
HS code 030493 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; frozen, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. This HS code encompasses frozen fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced, from a specific group of freshwater and brackish water species: tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. This category is vital for the global trade of processed seafood, as these species are widely farmed and consumed, particularly in Asia, Africa, and increasingly in Western markets. The frozen meat, often in block or minced form, serves as a primary ingredient for a vast array of value-added products, including fish balls, surimi, fish paste, and various prepared meals. The trade involves large volumes, driven by the efficiency of aquaculture and the versatility of these fish in food manufacturing. Importers include countries with large processing industries or significant ethnic populations consuming these products, while exporters are typically major aquaculture producers.
What products fall under HS code 030493?
Frozen minced tilapia, frozen catfish blocks, frozen carp meat, frozen eel meat (non-fillet), frozen Nile perch chunks, frozen snakehead meat, frozen fish paste (from these species)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030493?
This code is distinct from 030489 (frozen fillets of fish n.e.c.) or 03047x for fresh/chilled products. It's crucial to ensure the product is indeed "meat, excluding fillets" and from the specified species, not 030499 (other frozen fish meat n.e.c.).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030493?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030493 in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $25M, 80% of world exports), the Netherlands ($2.3M) and Indonesia ($1.1M). World exports came to about $31M, 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 030493?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030493 in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($23M, 38% of world imports), China ($15M) and Italy ($6.2M). World imports came to about $62M, 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 030493 structured?
HS code 030493 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 (93) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030493?
In Brazil, HS code 030493 is NCM 0304.93.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.