HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1602.42 – Meat preparations; of swine, shoulders and cuts thereof, prepared or preserved (excluding homogenised preparations)
HS code 1602.42 is the 6-digit subheading for meat preparations, of swine, shoulders and cuts thereof, prepared or preserved (excluding homogenised preparations). It is used for canned pork shoulder, cured ham shoulder, smoked pork shoulder, pre-cooked pork shoulder and pork luncheon meat (shoulder cut).
What HS 1602.42 covers
This HS code encompasses prepared or preserved swine shoulders and cuts thereof, excluding homogenised preparations. It represents a significant segment of the global processed meat market, driven by consumer demand for convenient, ready-to-eat pork products. Major importers often include countries with high pork consumption or those lacking sufficient domestic processing capacity, while exporters are typically large agricultural nations with advanced meat processing industries. Key considerations in trade involve stringent food safety regulations, shelf-life management, and increasingly, sustainability certifications, especially with the advent of regulations like the EUDR. The market sees a constant innovation in flavors and packaging, catering to diverse culinary preferences worldwide, from traditional cured hams to modern pre-cooked meal components. Understanding specific cuts and preparation methods is crucial for accurate classification and compliance.
- Covers
- Canned pork shoulder
- Cured ham shoulder
- Smoked pork shoulder
- Pre-cooked pork shoulder
- Pork luncheon meat (shoulder cut)
- Pulled pork (shoulder)
- Pork shoulder pâté
- Examples
- Spam (shoulder-based)
- Tulip Pork Shoulder
- Hormel Pulled Pork
- Zwan Luncheon Meat
- Fray Bentos Canned Pork
Codes often confused with 1602.42
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 160249 (other prepared swine meat) if the product is not exclusively shoulder cuts, or 021011 (cured hams) if the processing is minimal and it's considered simply cured meat rather than a 'preparation'.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 160242, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 160242 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 76% 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 United States $102M 35% of world exports
- 2 Chile $48M 16% of world exports
- 3 Ireland $30M 10% of world exports
World total: $290M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $439M 76% of world imports
- 2 Germany $19M 3.2% of world imports
- 3 Panama $14M 2.5% of world imports
World total: $581M 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 1602.42
Brazil does not split HS 1602.42: its NCM code is 1602.42.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 16.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
Questions about HS 1602.42
What is HS code 160242?
HS code 160242 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Meat preparations; of swine, shoulders and cuts thereof, prepared or preserved (excluding homogenised preparations). This HS code encompasses prepared or preserved swine shoulders and cuts thereof, excluding homogenised preparations. It represents a significant segment of the global processed meat market, driven by consumer demand for convenient, ready-to-eat pork products. Major importers often include countries with high pork consumption or those lacking sufficient domestic processing capacity, while exporters are typically large agricultural nations with advanced meat processing industries. Key considerations in trade involve stringent food safety regulations, shelf-life management, and increasingly, sustainability certifications, especially with the advent of regulations like the EUDR. The market sees a constant innovation in flavors and packaging, catering to diverse culinary preferences worldwide, from traditional cured hams to modern pre-cooked meal components. Understanding specific cuts and preparation methods is crucial for accurate classification and compliance.
What products fall under HS code 160242?
Canned pork shoulder, cured ham shoulder, smoked pork shoulder, pre-cooked pork shoulder, pork luncheon meat (shoulder cut), pulled pork (shoulder), pork shoulder pâté
What are common misclassifications for HS code 160242?
This code can be confused with 160249 (other prepared swine meat) if the product is not exclusively shoulder cuts, or 021011 (cured hams) if the processing is minimal and it's considered simply cured meat rather than a 'preparation'.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 160242?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 160242 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($102M, 35% of world exports), Chile ($48M) and Ireland ($30M). World exports came to about $290M, 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 160242?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 160242 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($439M, 76% of world imports), Germany ($19M) and Panama ($14M). World imports came to about $581M, 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 160242 structured?
HS code 160242 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (16) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (42) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 160242?
In Brazil, HS code 160242 is NCM 1602.42.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.