HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0304.99 – Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; frozen, n.e.c. in item no. 0304.9
HS code 0304.99 is the 6-digit subheading for fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced, frozen, n.e.c. in item no. 0304.9. It is used for mixed fish mince blocks, frozen tuna scraps (minced), mackerel mince, sardine paste (frozen) and various unclassified fish meat blocks.
What HS 0304.99 covers
This is a residual HS code for frozen fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced, that is not elsewhere specified in item 0304.9. It serves as a catch-all for a wide variety of species or mixed fish products that don't fit into the more specific categories for Alaska Pollock, other Gadidae, sharks, or rays/skates. Importers often include processors looking for diverse raw materials for fishmeal, pet food, or niche consumer products, as well as countries with less specific demand for whitefish. Exporters are typically nations with diverse fisheries or those processing by-catch. The trade in this category is highly varied, reflecting the global diversity of fish species and their industrial applications, with price often being a key driver.
- Covers
- Mixed fish mince blocks
- Frozen tuna scraps (minced)
- Mackerel mince
- Sardine paste (frozen)
- Various unclassified fish meat blocks
- Fish trimmings (minced).
- Examples
- Generic frozen fish blocks for pet food
- unbranded mixed fish mince
- specific local fish species processed into blocks
- fish meal raw material.
Codes often confused with 0304.99
Common mistake. This code is often a default for products that don't fit specific categories like 030494-030497, but care must be taken to ensure the fish is not a fillet (03047X) or specifically named elsewhere.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030499, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030499 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 25% 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 United States $414M 19% of world exports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$367M 17% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 India $246M 12% of world exports
World total: $2.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $443M 25% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $160M 8.9% of world imports
- 3 Thailand $141M 7.9% of world imports
World total: $1.8B 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 0304.99
Brazil does not split HS 0304.99: its NCM code is 0304.99.00.
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 0304.99
What is HS code 030499?
HS code 030499 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; frozen, n.e.c. in item no. 0304.9. This is a residual HS code for frozen fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced, that is not elsewhere specified in item 0304.9. It serves as a catch-all for a wide variety of species or mixed fish products that don't fit into the more specific categories for Alaska Pollock, other Gadidae, sharks, or rays/skates. Importers often include processors looking for diverse raw materials for fishmeal, pet food, or niche consumer products, as well as countries with less specific demand for whitefish. Exporters are typically nations with diverse fisheries or those processing by-catch. The trade in this category is highly varied, reflecting the global diversity of fish species and their industrial applications, with price often being a key driver.
What products fall under HS code 030499?
Mixed fish mince blocks, frozen tuna scraps (minced), mackerel mince, sardine paste (frozen), various unclassified fish meat blocks, fish trimmings (minced).
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030499?
This code is often a default for products that don't fit specific categories like 030494-030497, but care must be taken to ensure the fish is not a fillet (03047X) or specifically named elsewhere.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030499?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030499 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($414M, 19% of world exports), Vietnam (about $367M) and India ($246M). World exports came to about $2.1B, 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 030499?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030499 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($443M, 25% of world imports), South Korea ($160M) and Thailand ($141M). World imports came to about $1.8B, 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 030499 structured?
HS code 030499 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 (99) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030499?
In Brazil, HS code 030499 is NCM 0304.99.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.