HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0305.42 – Fish; smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking, herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii), includes fillets, but excludes edible fish offal
HS code 0305.42 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking, herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii), includes fillets, but excludes edible fish offal. It is used for smoked whole herring, smoked herring fillets, kippered herring, hot-smoked herring and cold-smoked herring.
What HS 0305.42 covers
This code encompasses smoked herring products, a significant category in global seafood trade. Smoked herring, known for its distinct flavor and extended shelf life, is a popular delicacy and staple in many cuisines, particularly in Northern Europe and North America. Importers often include food distributors, wholesalers supplying restaurants and supermarkets, and specialty food retailers. Exporters are typically countries with strong fishing industries and processing capabilities for herring, such as Norway, Iceland, Canada, and the Netherlands. Key aspects of trade involve ensuring proper smoking techniques, adherence to food safety standards, and packaging suitable for international transport. The product can be traded whole, as fillets, or in various prepared forms, catering to diverse consumer preferences. Its versatility makes it a valuable commodity, used in salads, sandwiches, or as a standalone appetizer. The market for smoked herring is influenced by fishing quotas, processing costs, and consumer demand for sustainable seafood options.
- Covers
- Smoked whole herring
- Smoked herring fillets
- Kippered herring
- Hot-smoked herring
- Cold-smoked herring
- Smoked herring in oil
- Smoked herring roe
- Examples
- John West Smoked Herring Fillets
- Brunswick Smoked Herring Fillets
- Stabbur-Makrell Smoked Herring
- King Oscar Smoked Herring
- Matjes Smoked Herring
Codes often confused with 0305.42
Common mistake. This code might be confused with 030549 (other smoked fish n.e.c.) if the specific species isn't clearly identified, or with 030554 if the herring is dried but not smoked.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030542, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030542 in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 67% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Dominican Republic, with 48% 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 Canada $49M 67% of world exports
- 2 China $14M 19% of world exports
- 3 Lithuania $2.3M 3.1% of world exports
World total: $73M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Dominican Republic $44M 48% of world imports
- 2 France $16M 17% of world imports
- 3 United States $11M 12% of world imports
World total: $91M 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 0305.42
Brazil does not split HS 0305.42: its NCM code is 0305.42.00.
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 0305.42
What is HS code 030542?
HS code 030542 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking, herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii), includes fillets, but excludes edible fish offal. This code encompasses smoked herring products, a significant category in global seafood trade. Smoked herring, known for its distinct flavor and extended shelf life, is a popular delicacy and staple in many cuisines, particularly in Northern Europe and North America. Importers often include food distributors, wholesalers supplying restaurants and supermarkets, and specialty food retailers. Exporters are typically countries with strong fishing industries and processing capabilities for herring, such as Norway, Iceland, Canada, and the Netherlands. Key aspects of trade involve ensuring proper smoking techniques, adherence to food safety standards, and packaging suitable for international transport. The product can be traded whole, as fillets, or in various prepared forms, catering to diverse consumer preferences. Its versatility makes it a valuable commodity, used in salads, sandwiches, or as a standalone appetizer. The market for smoked herring is influenced by fishing quotas, processing costs, and consumer demand for sustainable seafood options.
What products fall under HS code 030542?
Smoked whole herring, Smoked herring fillets, Kippered herring, Hot-smoked herring, Cold-smoked herring, Smoked herring in oil, Smoked herring roe
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030542?
This code might be confused with 030549 (other smoked fish n.e.c.) if the specific species isn't clearly identified, or with 030554 if the herring is dried but not smoked.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030542?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030542 in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($49M, 67% of world exports), China ($14M) and Lithuania ($2.3M). World exports came to about $73M, 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 030542?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030542 in UN Comtrade data were the Dominican Republic ($44M, 48% of world imports), France ($16M) and the United States ($11M). World imports came to about $91M, 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 030542 structured?
HS code 030542 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 (42) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030542?
In Brazil, HS code 030542 is NCM 0305.42.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.