HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0305.44 – Fish; smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads, includes fillets, but excludes edible fish offal

HS code 0305.44 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads, includes fillets, but excludes edible fish offal. It is used for smoked tilapia fillets, smoked catfish steaks, smoked carp, smoked eel and smoked Nile perch.

What HS 0305.44 covers

This HS code encompasses a diverse group of smoked freshwater and brackish water fish species, including tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. These fish are often farmed extensively, making them accessible for processing into smoked products. The trade in these smoked varieties is driven by both traditional culinary practices in various regions and a growing global demand for diverse seafood options. Importers include countries with significant immigrant populations from regions where these fish are staples, as well as general food distributors seeking cost-effective and flavorful smoked fish. Exporters are typically nations with strong aquaculture sectors for these species, such as China, Vietnam, and various African and Southeast Asian countries. Key trade considerations involve ensuring proper smoking and preservation techniques, adherence to international food safety standards, and managing potential issues related to invasive species (e.g., Nile perch in some ecosystems). The products are traded as whole fish or fillets, catering to different market segments.

Covers
  • Smoked tilapia fillets
  • Smoked catfish steaks
  • Smoked carp
  • Smoked eel
  • Smoked Nile perch
  • Smoked snakehead
  • Smoked catfish nuggets
Examples
  • Eel River Smoked Eel
  • Catfish Charlie Smoked Catfish
  • Aqua Star Smoked Tilapia
  • Vietnamese Smoked Eel
  • African Smoked Catfish

Codes often confused with 0305.44

Common mistake. This code might be confused with 030549 (other smoked fish n.e.c.) if the specific species is not listed here, or with 030552 if the fish are dried but not smoked.

0305.49Fish; smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.4, includes fillets, but excludes edible fish offal0305.52Fish; dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030544, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030544 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United Kingdom, with 19% 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 Netherlands $3.3M
  2. 2 Thailand $2.5M
  3. 3 Vietnam* ~$1.9M

World total: $11M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United Kingdom $2.1M
  2. 2 France $1.8M
  3. 3 Belgium $1.7M

World total: $11M 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 0305.44

Brazil does not split HS 0305.44: its NCM code is 0305.44.00.

  1. 0305.44.00 Smoked tilapia, catfish, carp, eel, etc. fishTilápias (Oreochromis spp.), bagres (peixes-gato*) (Pangasius spp., Silurus spp., Clarias spp., Ictalurus spp.), carpas (Cyprinus spp., Carassius spp., Ctenopharyngodon idellus, Hypophthalmichthys spp., Cirrhinus spp., Mylopharyngodon piceus, Catla catla, Labeo spp., Osteochilus hasselti, Leptobarbus hoeveni, Megalobrama spp.), enguias (Anguilla spp.), perca-do-nilo (Lates niloticus) e peixes cabeça-de-serpente (Channa spp.)

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 0305.44

What is HS code 030544?

HS code 030544 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads, includes fillets, but excludes edible fish offal. This HS code encompasses a diverse group of smoked freshwater and brackish water fish species, including tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. These fish are often farmed extensively, making them accessible for processing into smoked products. The trade in these smoked varieties is driven by both traditional culinary practices in various regions and a growing global demand for diverse seafood options. Importers include countries with significant immigrant populations from regions where these fish are staples, as well as general food distributors seeking cost-effective and flavorful smoked fish. Exporters are typically nations with strong aquaculture sectors for these species, such as China, Vietnam, and various African and Southeast Asian countries. Key trade considerations involve ensuring proper smoking and preservation techniques, adherence to international food safety standards, and managing potential issues related to invasive species (e.g., Nile perch in some ecosystems). The products are traded as whole fish or fillets, catering to different market segments.

What products fall under HS code 030544?

Smoked tilapia fillets, Smoked catfish steaks, Smoked carp, Smoked eel, Smoked Nile perch, Smoked snakehead, Smoked catfish nuggets

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030544?

This code might be confused with 030549 (other smoked fish n.e.c.) if the specific species is not listed here, or with 030552 if the fish are dried but not smoked.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030544?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030544 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($3.3M, 29% of world exports), Thailand ($2.5M) and Vietnam (about $1.9M). World exports came to about $11M, 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 030544?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030544 in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($2.1M, 19% of world imports), France ($1.8M) and Belgium ($1.7M). World imports came to about $11M, 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 030544 structured?

HS code 030544 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 (44) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030544?

In Brazil, HS code 030544 is NCM 0305.44.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.