HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0305.20 – Fish; livers, roes and milt of fish, dried, smoked, salted or in brine

HS code 0305.20 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, livers, roes and milt of fish, dried, smoked, salted or in brine. It is used for dried cod roe, smoked salmon roe, salted herring roe, brined fish milt and dried tuna liver.

What HS 0305.20 covers

This HS code covers fish livers, roes (eggs), and milt (sperm) that have been preserved through drying, smoking, salting, or brining. These products are often considered delicacies or specialty ingredients in various cuisines worldwide, particularly in Europe and Asia. Importers are typically gourmet food distributors, restaurants, and ethnic food markets seeking unique flavors and textures. Exporters are countries with significant fishing industries that process these valuable by-products. The trade is influenced by cultural preferences, traditional recipes, and the availability of high-quality raw materials. Pricing can vary significantly based on the species, processing method, and market demand for these niche items.

Covers
  • Dried cod roe
  • Smoked salmon roe
  • Salted herring roe
  • Brined fish milt
  • Dried tuna liver
  • Bottarga (cured fish roe)
  • Caviar (if processed this way).
Examples
  • Bottarga (mullet roe)
  • Tarama (cod roe spread)
  • smoked herring roe
  • salted cod milt
  • Keta salmon roe (ikura)
  • Icelandic dried cod liver.

Codes often confused with 0305.20

Common mistake. Can be confused with fresh or chilled fish offal (03027X) or prepared/preserved fish products (1604), but this code specifically covers processed livers, roes, and milt, not whole fish or fillets.

16.04Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030520, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030520 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 47% 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. 1 Indonesia $33M
  2. 2 China $30M
  3. 3 Peru* ~$20M

World total: $171M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Japan $93M
  2. 2 China $23M
  3. 3 Sweden $13M

World total: $197M 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 codes for 0305.20 2

Brazil splits HS 0305.20 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 0305.20.10 Dried, salted or smoked mullet roeOvas de tainhas (Mugil spp.)
  2. 0305.20.90 Other cured fish livers, roes and miltOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 03.05 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 0305.20

What is HS code 030520?

HS code 030520 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; livers, roes and milt of fish, dried, smoked, salted or in brine. This HS code covers fish livers, roes (eggs), and milt (sperm) that have been preserved through drying, smoking, salting, or brining. These products are often considered delicacies or specialty ingredients in various cuisines worldwide, particularly in Europe and Asia. Importers are typically gourmet food distributors, restaurants, and ethnic food markets seeking unique flavors and textures. Exporters are countries with significant fishing industries that process these valuable by-products. The trade is influenced by cultural preferences, traditional recipes, and the availability of high-quality raw materials. Pricing can vary significantly based on the species, processing method, and market demand for these niche items.

What products fall under HS code 030520?

Dried cod roe, smoked salmon roe, salted herring roe, brined fish milt, dried tuna liver, bottarga (cured fish roe), caviar (if processed this way).

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030520?

Can be confused with fresh or chilled fish offal (03027X) or prepared/preserved fish products (1604), but this code specifically covers processed livers, roes, and milt, not whole fish or fillets.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030520?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030520 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($33M, 19% of world exports), China ($30M) and Peru (about $20M). World exports came to about $171M, 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 030520?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030520 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($93M, 47% of world imports), China ($23M) and Sweden ($13M). World imports came to about $197M, 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 030520 structured?

HS code 030520 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (03) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030520?

Brazil splits HS code 030520 into 2 NCM codes: 0305.20.10 (Dried, salted or smoked mullet roe), 0305.20.90 (Other cured fish livers, roes and milt). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.