HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1603.00 – Extracts and juices; of meat, fish or crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates
HS code 1603.00 is the 6-digit subheading for extracts and juices, of meat, fish or crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates. It is used for beef extract, chicken broth concentrate, fish sauce, clam juice and shrimp paste.
What HS 1603.00 covers
This HS code covers extracts and juices derived from meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebrates. These concentrated flavorings are vital ingredients in the food manufacturing industry, used to enhance taste in soups, sauces, bouillons, seasonings, and ready meals. International trade in these products is driven by the demand from food processors globally, who rely on consistent quality and supply for their formulations. Exporters are typically countries with strong meat and seafood processing sectors, capable of producing high-quality extracts. Key aspects of trade include stringent quality control, origin verification, and adherence to food additive regulations. The market is characterized by both large-scale industrial suppliers and specialized producers catering to gourmet or specific dietary needs, all contributing to the complex flavors of global cuisine.
- Covers
- Beef extract
- Chicken broth concentrate
- Fish sauce
- Clam juice
- Shrimp paste
- Oyster sauce
- Meat bouillon cubes
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (meat-like flavor)
- Examples
- Bovril Beef Extract
- Knorr Chicken Bouillon
- Maggi Seasoning
- Red Boat Fish Sauce
- Lee Kum Kee Oyster Sauce
- Campbell's Broth Concentrates
Codes often confused with 1603.00
Common mistake. Can be confused with 210410 (soups and broths) if the product is a ready-to-eat soup rather than a concentrated extract, or 040900 (natural honey) if misidentified as a general food extract.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 160300, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 160300 in UN Comtrade data was New Zealand, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% 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 New Zealand $45M 16% of world exports
- 2 France $35M 13% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $28M 10% of world exports
World total: $277M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $29M 13% of world imports
- 2 Japan $28M 13% of world imports
- 3 Hong Kong $23M 10% of world imports
World total: $224M 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 1603.00
Brazil does not split HS 1603.00: its NCM code is 1603.00.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 16.03 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1603.00
What is HS code 160300?
HS code 160300 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Extracts and juices; of meat, fish or crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates. This HS code covers extracts and juices derived from meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebrates. These concentrated flavorings are vital ingredients in the food manufacturing industry, used to enhance taste in soups, sauces, bouillons, seasonings, and ready meals. International trade in these products is driven by the demand from food processors globally, who rely on consistent quality and supply for their formulations. Exporters are typically countries with strong meat and seafood processing sectors, capable of producing high-quality extracts. Key aspects of trade include stringent quality control, origin verification, and adherence to food additive regulations. The market is characterized by both large-scale industrial suppliers and specialized producers catering to gourmet or specific dietary needs, all contributing to the complex flavors of global cuisine.
What products fall under HS code 160300?
Beef extract, chicken broth concentrate, fish sauce, clam juice, shrimp paste, oyster sauce, meat bouillon cubes, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (meat-like flavor)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 160300?
Can be confused with 210410 (soups and broths) if the product is a ready-to-eat soup rather than a concentrated extract, or 040900 (natural honey) if misidentified as a general food extract.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 160300?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 160300 in UN Comtrade data were New Zealand ($45M, 16% of world exports), France ($35M) and Belgium ($28M). World exports came to about $277M, 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 160300?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 160300 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($29M, 13% of world imports), Japan ($28M) and Hong Kong ($23M). World imports came to about $224M, 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 160300 structured?
HS code 160300 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (16) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 160300?
In Brazil, HS code 160300 is NCM 1603.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.