HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 1604.16 – Fish preparations; anchovies, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)

HS code 1604.16 is the 6-digit subheading for fish preparations, anchovies, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced). It is used for salted anchovy fillets, anchovies in olive oil, marinated anchovies, anchovy paste (not minced) and anchovy fillets in brine.

What HS 1604.16 covers

This HS code covers anchovies that have been prepared or preserved, whether whole or in pieces, but specifically excludes minced forms. These products are a staple in international trade, often used as ingredients in sauces, pizzas, salads, or consumed directly as a delicacy. Major importers typically include countries with strong culinary traditions that value anchovies, such as Italy, Spain, and France, as well as large consumer markets like the United States and Japan. Exporters are often countries with significant anchovy fisheries and processing capabilities, like Peru, Morocco, and Argentina. Key things to know include the various preservation methods (e.g., salted, in oil, marinated), the importance of sustainable fishing practices, and the impact of fluctuating catch sizes on global supply and pricing. The trade in preserved anchovies is a significant component of the global seafood market, driven by both industrial demand and consumer preferences.

Covers
  • Salted anchovy fillets
  • Anchovies in olive oil
  • Marinated anchovies
  • Anchovy paste (not minced)
  • Anchovy fillets in brine
  • Cured anchovies
  • Anchovy fillets with capers
Examples
  • Ortiz Anchovies
  • Agostino Recca Anchovies
  • Roland Anchovy Fillets
  • Crown Prince Anchovies
  • Callipo Anchovies

Codes often confused with 1604.16

Common mistake. This code is often confused with fresh or chilled anchovies (0302.41) or frozen anchovies (0303.51), which are raw, unprocessed forms. It can also be mistaken for minced fish preparations (1604.20) if the anchovies are finely chopped.

0302.41Fish; fresh or chilled, herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.990303.51Fish; frozen, herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.991604.20Fish preparations; fish minced or in forms n.e.c. in heading no. 1604, prepared or preserved

Top exporters and importers of HS code 160416, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 160416 in UN Comtrade data was Morocco, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 25% 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 Morocco $144M
  2. 2 Spain $68M
  3. 3 Italy $58M

World total: $420M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Spain $124M
  2. 2 Italy $104M
  3. 3 France $49M

World total: $496M 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 1604.16

Brazil does not split HS 1604.16: its NCM code is 1604.16.00.

  1. 1604.16.00 Prepared or preserved anchoviesAnchovas (Biqueirões*)

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 16.04 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 1604.16

What is HS code 160416?

HS code 160416 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish preparations; anchovies, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced). This HS code covers anchovies that have been prepared or preserved, whether whole or in pieces, but specifically excludes minced forms. These products are a staple in international trade, often used as ingredients in sauces, pizzas, salads, or consumed directly as a delicacy. Major importers typically include countries with strong culinary traditions that value anchovies, such as Italy, Spain, and France, as well as large consumer markets like the United States and Japan. Exporters are often countries with significant anchovy fisheries and processing capabilities, like Peru, Morocco, and Argentina. Key things to know include the various preservation methods (e.g., salted, in oil, marinated), the importance of sustainable fishing practices, and the impact of fluctuating catch sizes on global supply and pricing. The trade in preserved anchovies is a significant component of the global seafood market, driven by both industrial demand and consumer preferences.

What products fall under HS code 160416?

Salted anchovy fillets, anchovies in olive oil, marinated anchovies, anchovy paste (not minced), anchovy fillets in brine, cured anchovies, anchovy fillets with capers

What are common misclassifications for HS code 160416?

This code is often confused with fresh or chilled anchovies (0302.41) or frozen anchovies (0303.51), which are raw, unprocessed forms. It can also be mistaken for minced fish preparations (1604.20) if the anchovies are finely chopped.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 160416?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 160416 in UN Comtrade data were Morocco ($144M, 34% of world exports), Spain ($68M) and Italy ($58M). World exports came to about $420M, 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 160416?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 160416 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($124M, 25% of world imports), Italy ($104M) and France ($49M). World imports came to about $496M, 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 160416 structured?

HS code 160416 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (16) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (16) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 160416?

In Brazil, HS code 160416 is NCM 1604.16.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.