HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0305.54 – Dried herrings, anchovies, sardines, sardinella, brisling or sprats, mackerel (incl Indian, jack, or horse), seerfishes, jacks, crevalles, cobia, silver pomfrets, Pacific saury, scads, capelin, swordfish, Kawakawa, bonitos, marlins, sailfishes, spearfish

HS code 0305.54 is the 6-digit subheading for dried herrings, anchovies, sardines, sardinella, brisling or sprats, mackerel (incl Indian, jack, or horse), seerfishes, jacks, crevalles, cobia, silver pomfrets, Pacific saury, scads, capelin, swordfish, Kawakawa, bonitos, marlins, sailfishes, spearfish. It is used for dried anchovies, dried sardines, dried mackerel, dried capelin and dried cobia.

What HS 0305.54 covers

This HS code covers a specific list of dried fish species, whether or not salted but not smoked, including herrings, anchovies, sardines, mackerel, cobia, swordfish, and bonitos, among others. These products are typically shelf-stable and are traded globally for various culinary uses, particularly in Asian, African, and Mediterranean cuisines where dried fish is a traditional staple. They are valued for their intense flavor and nutritional content. Importers include ethnic grocery stores, specialty food distributors, and food manufacturers. Exporters are often countries with strong fishing traditions and established methods of fish preservation. Key aspects of this trade involve ensuring proper drying and storage to prevent spoilage, compliance with food safety regulations, and meeting diverse consumer preferences for texture and saltiness.

Covers
  • Dried anchovies
  • Dried sardines
  • Dried mackerel
  • Dried capelin
  • Dried cobia
  • Dried swordfish
  • Dried bonitos
  • Dried herrings
Examples
  • Various Asian grocery brands (e.g., Hmart, 99 Ranch)
  • Mediterranean specialty stores
  • specific fishing village products
  • bulk dried fish suppliers

Codes often confused with 0305.54

Common mistake. This code is often confused with fish that is only salted (0305.6X) or smoked fish (0305.4X). The key is that the fish must be 'dried' and 'not smoked', although it may be salted.

03.05Fish, dried, salted or in brine; smoked fish, whether or not cooked before, or during the smoking process

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030554, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030554 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Sri Lanka, with 65% 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 China $42M
  2. 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$35M
  3. 3 South Korea $16M

World total: $120M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Sri Lanka $53M
  2. 2 United States $3.6M
  3. 3 Taiwan* ~$2.7M

World total: $81M 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 0305.54

Brazil does not split HS 0305.54: its NCM code is 0305.54.00.

  1. 0305.54.00 Dried herrings, sardines, mackerel, etc. fishArenques (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii), anchovas (biqueirões*) (Engraulis spp.), sardinhas (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp., Sardinella spp.) (sardinha (Sardina pilchardus) e sardinelas (Sardinops spp., Sardinella spp.)*), anchoveta (espadilha*) (Sprattus sprattus), cavalinhas (sardas e cavalas*) (Scomber scombrus, Scomber australasicus, Scomber japonicus), cavalas-do-índico (Rastrelliger spp.), serras (Scomberomorus spp.), carapaus (Trachurus spp.), xaréus (Caranx spp.), bijupirá (cobia*) (Rachycentron canadum), pampos-prateado (Pampus spp.), agulhão-do-japão (Cololabis saira), charros (Decapterus spp.), capelim (Mallotus villosus), espadarte (Xiphias gladius), merma-oriental (Euthynnus affinis), bonitos (Sarda spp.), espadins, marlins, veleiros (Istiophoridae)

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 0305.54

What is HS code 030554?

HS code 030554 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Dried herrings, anchovies, sardines, sardinella, brisling or sprats, mackerel (incl Indian, jack, or horse), seerfishes, jacks, crevalles, cobia, silver pomfrets, Pacific saury, scads, capelin, swordfish, Kawakawa, bonitos, marlins, sailfishes, spearfish. This HS code covers a specific list of dried fish species, whether or not salted but not smoked, including herrings, anchovies, sardines, mackerel, cobia, swordfish, and bonitos, among others. These products are typically shelf-stable and are traded globally for various culinary uses, particularly in Asian, African, and Mediterranean cuisines where dried fish is a traditional staple. They are valued for their intense flavor and nutritional content. Importers include ethnic grocery stores, specialty food distributors, and food manufacturers. Exporters are often countries with strong fishing traditions and established methods of fish preservation. Key aspects of this trade involve ensuring proper drying and storage to prevent spoilage, compliance with food safety regulations, and meeting diverse consumer preferences for texture and saltiness.

What products fall under HS code 030554?

Dried anchovies, dried sardines, dried mackerel, dried capelin, dried cobia, dried swordfish, dried bonitos, dried herrings

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030554?

This code is often confused with fish that is only salted (0305.6X) or smoked fish (0305.4X). The key is that the fish must be 'dried' and 'not smoked', although it may be salted.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030554?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030554 in UN Comtrade data were China ($42M, 35% of world exports), the United Arab Emirates (about $35M) and South Korea ($16M). World exports came to about $120M, 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 030554?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030554 in UN Comtrade data were Sri Lanka ($53M, 65% of world imports), the United States ($3.6M) and Taiwan (about $2.7M). World imports came to about $81M, 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 030554 structured?

HS code 030554 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 (54) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030554?

In Brazil, HS code 030554 is NCM 0305.54.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.