HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0305.61 – Fish; salted or in brine, not dried or smoked, other than edible fish offal, herrings (Clupea harengas, Clupea pallasii)

HS code 0305.61 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, salted or in brine, not dried or smoked, other than edible fish offal, herrings (Clupea harengas, Clupea pallasii). It is used for salted whole herring, brined herring fillets, pickled herring (in brine), matjes herring and bismarck herring.

What HS 0305.61 covers

This HS code specifically covers herrings (Clupea harengas, Clupea pallasii) that are salted or in brine, but not dried or smoked. This traditional method of preservation is particularly popular in Northern European countries, where salted herring is a culinary staple, often consumed pickled or fermented. The trade involves both whole fish and fillets, typically packed in barrels or other containers with brine. Importers are primarily food distributors, ethnic grocery stores, and specialty retailers in countries with a strong demand for traditional herring products. Exporters are often countries with significant herring fisheries and established processing industries. Key considerations include maintaining the correct salt concentration, ensuring product freshness, and adhering to strict food safety and hygiene standards for brined products.

Covers
  • Salted whole herring
  • Brined herring fillets
  • Pickled herring (in brine)
  • Matjes herring
  • Bismarck herring
  • Rollmops (herring in brine)
  • Spiced herring
Examples
  • King Oscar (salted herring)
  • Roland Foods (pickled herring)
  • various Scandinavian and Dutch brands
  • German fishmongers

Codes often confused with 0305.61

Common mistake. Frequently confused with dried herring (0305.54) or smoked herring (0305.49). The key is 'salted or in brine' and explicitly 'not dried or smoked'.

0305.54Dried 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, spearfish0305.49Fish; smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.4, includes fillets, but excludes edible fish offal

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030561, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030561 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 24% 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 $8.4M
  2. 2 Denmark $3.6M
  3. 3 Germany $3.1M

World total: $26M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Germany $7.1M
  2. 2 Netherlands $3.6M
  3. 3 Ukraine* ~$2.9M

World total: $30M 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 0305.61

Brazil does not split HS 0305.61: its NCM code is 0305.61.00.

  1. 0305.61.00 Salted or brined herringsArenques (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii)

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 0305.61

What is HS code 030561?

HS code 030561 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; salted or in brine, not dried or smoked, other than edible fish offal, herrings (Clupea harengas, Clupea pallasii). This HS code specifically covers herrings (Clupea harengas, Clupea pallasii) that are salted or in brine, but not dried or smoked. This traditional method of preservation is particularly popular in Northern European countries, where salted herring is a culinary staple, often consumed pickled or fermented. The trade involves both whole fish and fillets, typically packed in barrels or other containers with brine. Importers are primarily food distributors, ethnic grocery stores, and specialty retailers in countries with a strong demand for traditional herring products. Exporters are often countries with significant herring fisheries and established processing industries. Key considerations include maintaining the correct salt concentration, ensuring product freshness, and adhering to strict food safety and hygiene standards for brined products.

What products fall under HS code 030561?

Salted whole herring, brined herring fillets, pickled herring (in brine), matjes herring, Bismarck herring, rollmops (herring in brine), spiced herring

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030561?

Frequently confused with dried herring (0305.54) or smoked herring (0305.49). The key is 'salted or in brine' and explicitly 'not dried or smoked'.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030561?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030561 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($8.4M, 33% of world exports), Denmark ($3.6M) and Germany ($3.1M). World exports came to about $26M, 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 030561?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030561 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($7.1M, 24% of world imports), the Netherlands ($3.6M) and Ukraine (about $2.9M). World imports came to about $30M, 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 030561 structured?

HS code 030561 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 (61) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030561?

In Brazil, HS code 030561 is NCM 0305.61.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.