HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1602.50 – Meat preparations; of bovine animals, meat or meat offal, prepared or preserved (excluding livers and homogenised preparations)
HS code 1602.50 is the 6-digit subheading for meat preparations, of bovine animals, meat or meat offal, prepared or preserved (excluding livers and homogenised preparations). It is used for canned corned beef, beef stew (canned/prepared), beef jerky (processed), beef meatballs (pre-cooked) and beef pâté.
What HS 1602.50 covers
This HS code covers prepared or preserved bovine meat or meat offal, excluding livers and homogenised preparations. It encompasses a wide array of beef products, from canned corned beef and stews to processed beef jerky and luncheon meats, reflecting global demand for convenient and shelf-stable beef options. Trade in these goods is significant, with major beef-producing nations exporting to countries with high beef consumption or those seeking processed alternatives. Food safety, animal health regulations, and traceability are critical aspects of international trade. The EUDR adds another layer of complexity, requiring due diligence on the environmental impact of beef production. The market is characterized by both large-scale industrial production and niche artisanal products, all subject to rigorous quality control and labeling requirements to ensure consumer confidence.
- Covers
- Canned corned beef
- Beef stew (canned/prepared)
- Beef jerky (processed)
- Beef meatballs (pre-cooked)
- Beef pâté
- Beef luncheon meat
- Pre-cooked roast beef slices
- Examples
- Libby's Corned Beef
- Hereford Corned Beef
- Jack Link's Beef Jerky
- Hormel Beef Roast
- Dinty Moore Beef Stew
Codes often confused with 1602.50
Common mistake. Can be confused with 021020 (dried or salted beef) if the processing is minimal, or 160290 if it's a mixed meat preparation not exclusively bovine.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 160250, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 160250 in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 21% 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 Brazil $727M 21% of world exports
- 2 Poland $336M 9.8% of world exports
- 3 Germany $305M 8.9% of world exports
World total: $3.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $638M 21% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $330M 11% of world imports
- 3 Canada $237M 7.7% of world imports
World total: $3.1B 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 1602.50
Brazil does not split HS 1602.50: its NCM code is 1602.50.00.
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 1602.50
What is HS code 160250?
HS code 160250 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Meat preparations; of bovine animals, meat or meat offal, prepared or preserved (excluding livers and homogenised preparations). This HS code covers prepared or preserved bovine meat or meat offal, excluding livers and homogenised preparations. It encompasses a wide array of beef products, from canned corned beef and stews to processed beef jerky and luncheon meats, reflecting global demand for convenient and shelf-stable beef options. Trade in these goods is significant, with major beef-producing nations exporting to countries with high beef consumption or those seeking processed alternatives. Food safety, animal health regulations, and traceability are critical aspects of international trade. The EUDR adds another layer of complexity, requiring due diligence on the environmental impact of beef production. The market is characterized by both large-scale industrial production and niche artisanal products, all subject to rigorous quality control and labeling requirements to ensure consumer confidence.
What products fall under HS code 160250?
Canned corned beef, beef stew (canned/prepared), beef jerky (processed), beef meatballs (pre-cooked), beef pâté, beef luncheon meat, pre-cooked roast beef slices
What are common misclassifications for HS code 160250?
Can be confused with 021020 (dried or salted beef) if the processing is minimal, or 160290 if it's a mixed meat preparation not exclusively bovine.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 160250?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 160250 in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($727M, 21% of world exports), Poland ($336M) and Germany ($305M). World exports came to about $3.4B, 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 160250?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 160250 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($638M, 21% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($330M) and Canada ($237M). World imports came to about $3.1B, 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 160250 structured?
HS code 160250 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 (50) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 160250?
In Brazil, HS code 160250 is NCM 1602.50.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.