HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0305.52 – Fish; dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads

HS code 0305.52 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. It is used for dried salted tilapia, dried catfish fillets, dried carp pieces, dried eel strips and dried Nile perch.

What HS 0305.52 covers

This HS code covers dried (and optionally salted, but not smoked) varieties of tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. These species are widely farmed and consumed in many parts of the world, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where drying is a traditional and effective method of preservation. The trade in these dried fish products is significant, catering to both local and international markets, especially those with strong culinary traditions for these items. Importers often include ethnic food distributors, wholesalers supplying markets in diaspora communities, and general food importers in regions where these fish are popular staples. Exporters are typically countries with robust aquaculture industries for these species, such as China, Vietnam, Thailand, and various African nations. Key trade considerations involve ensuring proper drying and salting techniques to prevent spoilage, managing moisture content, and complying with international food safety and hygiene regulations. The affordability and extended shelf life of these products make them important for food security and trade.

Covers
  • Dried salted tilapia
  • Dried catfish fillets
  • Dried carp pieces
  • Dried eel strips
  • Dried Nile perch
  • Dried snakehead fish
  • Dried salted catfish
Examples
  • African Dried Catfish
  • Vietnamese Dried Tilapia
  • Thai Dried Snakehead
  • Chinese Dried Eel
  • Dried Nile Perch from Uganda

Codes often confused with 0305.52

Common mistake. This code might be confused with 030544 if the fish are smoked instead of just dried, or with 030559 if the dried fish species is not specifically listed here.

0305.44Fish; smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads, includes fillets, but excludes edible fish offal0305.59Fish; dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, other than edible fish offal, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.5

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030552, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030552 in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 58% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Sri Lanka, with 36% 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 Spain $2.1M
  2. 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$611K
  3. 3 Thailand $215K

World total: $3.5M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Sri Lanka $1.8M
  2. 2 United States $1.7M
  3. 3 Slovenia $595K

World total: $4.9M 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 0305.52

Brazil does not split HS 0305.52: its NCM code is 0305.52.00.

  1. 0305.52.00 Dried 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 0305.52

What is HS code 030552?

HS code 030552 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. This HS code covers dried (and optionally salted, but not smoked) varieties of tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. These species are widely farmed and consumed in many parts of the world, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where drying is a traditional and effective method of preservation. The trade in these dried fish products is significant, catering to both local and international markets, especially those with strong culinary traditions for these items. Importers often include ethnic food distributors, wholesalers supplying markets in diaspora communities, and general food importers in regions where these fish are popular staples. Exporters are typically countries with robust aquaculture industries for these species, such as China, Vietnam, Thailand, and various African nations. Key trade considerations involve ensuring proper drying and salting techniques to prevent spoilage, managing moisture content, and complying with international food safety and hygiene regulations. The affordability and extended shelf life of these products make them important for food security and trade.

What products fall under HS code 030552?

Dried salted tilapia, Dried catfish fillets, Dried carp pieces, Dried eel strips, Dried Nile perch, Dried snakehead fish, Dried salted catfish

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030552?

This code might be confused with 030544 if the fish are smoked instead of just dried, or with 030559 if the dried fish species is not specifically listed here.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030552?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030552 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($2.1M, 58% of world exports), the United Arab Emirates (about $611K) and Thailand ($215K). World exports came to about $3.5M, 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 030552?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030552 in UN Comtrade data were Sri Lanka ($1.8M, 36% of world imports), the United States ($1.7M) and Slovenia ($595K). World imports came to about $4.9M, 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.

How is HS code 030552 structured?

HS code 030552 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 (52) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030552?

In Brazil, HS code 030552 is NCM 0305.52.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.