HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0305.72 – Fish; edible offal, fish heads, tails and maws

HS code 0305.72 is the 6-digit subheading for fish, edible offal, fish heads, tails and maws. It is used for salmon heads, cod tails, tuna maws, snapper heads and dried fish maws.

What HS 0305.72 covers

This HS code covers the international trade of specific edible fish offal: fish heads, tails, and maws (swim bladders). These items, often considered by-products of primary fish processing, hold significant culinary value in various global cuisines, particularly in Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. Fish heads are used for soups and stews, tails for flavor, and maws are highly prized for their texture and collagen content, often dried and rehydrated for dishes. The trade reflects a global effort to maximize the value of every part of the fish, reducing waste and catering to diverse consumer preferences. Importers are typically food processors, ethnic markets, and restaurants, while exporters are major fish processing nations that efficiently utilize their catches. This trade underscores the cultural and economic importance of these often-overlooked parts of fish.

Covers
  • Salmon heads
  • Cod tails
  • Tuna maws
  • Snapper heads
  • Dried fish maws
  • Frozen fish heads
  • Fish collars.
Examples
  • Dried Croaker Maws
  • Frozen Salmon Heads for soup
  • Cod Tails for stock
  • Red Snapper Heads for curry.

Codes often confused with 0305.72

Common mistake. This code is distinct from other fish offal (030579) by specifically naming heads, tails, and maws. It should not be confused with whole fish (Chapter 0302-0304) or prepared fish products (Chapter 16).

0305.79Fish; edible offal, other than shark fins, fish heads, tails and maws03.02Fish; fresh or chilled, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 030403.04Fish fillets and other fish meat (whether or not minced); fresh, chilled or frozen

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030572, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030572 in UN Comtrade data was Hong Kong, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Hong Kong, with 34% 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 Hong Kong $122M
  2. 2 Vietnam* ~$82M
  3. 3 Iceland $57M

World total: $500M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Hong Kong $201M
  2. 2 Macao $169M
  3. 3 China $135M

World total: $589M 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 0305.72

Brazil does not split HS 0305.72: its NCM code is 0305.72.00.

  1. 0305.72.00 Cured fish heads, tails and mawsCabeças, caudas e bexigas-natatórias, de peixes

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 0305.72

What is HS code 030572?

HS code 030572 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish; edible offal, fish heads, tails and maws. This HS code covers the international trade of specific edible fish offal: fish heads, tails, and maws (swim bladders). These items, often considered by-products of primary fish processing, hold significant culinary value in various global cuisines, particularly in Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. Fish heads are used for soups and stews, tails for flavor, and maws are highly prized for their texture and collagen content, often dried and rehydrated for dishes. The trade reflects a global effort to maximize the value of every part of the fish, reducing waste and catering to diverse consumer preferences. Importers are typically food processors, ethnic markets, and restaurants, while exporters are major fish processing nations that efficiently utilize their catches. This trade underscores the cultural and economic importance of these often-overlooked parts of fish.

What products fall under HS code 030572?

Salmon heads, cod tails, tuna maws, snapper heads, dried fish maws, frozen fish heads, fish collars.

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030572?

This code is distinct from other fish offal (030579) by specifically naming heads, tails, and maws. It should not be confused with whole fish (Chapter 0302-0304) or prepared fish products (Chapter 16).

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030572?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030572 in UN Comtrade data were Hong Kong ($122M, 24% of world exports), Vietnam (about $82M) and Iceland ($57M). World exports came to about $500M, 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 030572?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030572 in UN Comtrade data were Hong Kong ($201M, 34% of world imports), Macao ($169M) and China ($135M). World imports came to about $589M, 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 030572 structured?

HS code 030572 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 (72) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030572?

In Brazil, HS code 030572 is NCM 0305.72.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.