HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0305.31 – Fish fillets; dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads
HS code 0305.31 is the 6-digit subheading for fish fillets, dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. It is used for dried tilapia fillets, salted catfish fillets, brined carp fillets, dried eel fillets and salted Nile perch fillets.
What HS 0305.31 covers
This category specifically covers fish fillets from tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads that have been dried, salted, or brined, but not smoked. These products are staples in many regional diets, particularly in Southeast Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe, where these freshwater and brackish water species are abundant and traditional preservation methods are highly valued. Importers are often ethnic food markets, distributors catering to specific cultural cuisines, and food manufacturers. Exporters are typically countries with significant aquaculture or wild fisheries for these species. The trade is driven by the demand for shelf-stable, flavorful fish products that are integral to local culinary traditions.
- Covers
- Dried tilapia fillets
- Salted catfish fillets
- Brined carp fillets
- Dried eel fillets
- Salted Nile perch fillets
- Dried snakehead fillets
- Cured pangasius fillets.
- Examples
- Dried salted tilapia from Africa
- Vietnamese dried catfish fillets
- traditional European salted carp
- dried eel snacks in Asia
- cured Nile perch fillets.
Codes often confused with 0305.31
Common mistake. Could be confused with fresh/chilled fillets (03043X) or smoked fillets (03054X), but this code specifically covers dried, salted, or brined fillets of these particular species, excluding smoking.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030531, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030531 in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 59% 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 Italy $548K 19% of world exports
- 2 United States $491K 17% of world exports
- 3 South Africa $436K 15% of world exports
World total: $2.9M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $4.5M 59% of world imports
- 2 Italy $855K 11% of world imports
- 3 Uganda $348K 4.5% of world imports
World total: $7.7M 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 0305.31
Brazil does not split HS 0305.31: its NCM code is 0305.31.00.
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 0305.31
What is HS code 030531?
HS code 030531 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish fillets; dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. This category specifically covers fish fillets from tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads that have been dried, salted, or brined, but not smoked. These products are staples in many regional diets, particularly in Southeast Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe, where these freshwater and brackish water species are abundant and traditional preservation methods are highly valued. Importers are often ethnic food markets, distributors catering to specific cultural cuisines, and food manufacturers. Exporters are typically countries with significant aquaculture or wild fisheries for these species. The trade is driven by the demand for shelf-stable, flavorful fish products that are integral to local culinary traditions.
What products fall under HS code 030531?
Dried tilapia fillets, salted catfish fillets, brined carp fillets, dried eel fillets, salted Nile perch fillets, dried snakehead fillets, cured pangasius fillets.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030531?
Could be confused with fresh/chilled fillets (03043X) or smoked fillets (03054X), but this code specifically covers dried, salted, or brined fillets of these particular species, excluding smoking.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030531?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030531 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($548K, 19% of world exports), the United States ($491K) and South Africa ($436K). World exports came to about $2.9M, 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 030531?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030531 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($4.5M, 59% of world imports), Italy ($855K) and Uganda ($348K). World imports came to about $7.7M, 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 030531 structured?
HS code 030531 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 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030531?
In Brazil, HS code 030531 is NCM 0305.31.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.