HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1604.19 – Fish preparations; fish prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced), n.e.c. in heading no. 1604
HS code 1604.19 is the 6-digit subheading for fish preparations, fish prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced), n.e.c. in heading no. 1604. It is used for canned tuna in oil, smoked salmon fillets, pickled herring, canned sardines in tomato sauce and marinated mackerel.
What HS 1604.19 covers
HS code 160419 is a broad 'basket' category for prepared or preserved fish, whole or in pieces, that are not specifically covered by other subheadings within 1604 (e.g., not anchovies, eels, shark fins, or minced fish). This code encompasses a vast array of products, reflecting diverse culinary traditions and preservation techniques globally. Major importers include countries with high seafood consumption and those lacking sufficient domestic processing capacity, such as the United States, Japan, and various European nations. Exporters are typically countries with strong fishing industries and advanced processing facilities, like Thailand, China, and Spain. Key considerations for this trade include the variety of fish species involved (tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring), the different preservation methods (canning, smoking, marinating, brining), and the importance of labeling and food safety standards. This category represents a significant portion of the global processed seafood market, catering to convenience and long shelf-life demands.
- Covers
- Canned tuna in oil
- Smoked salmon fillets
- Pickled herring
- Canned sardines in tomato sauce
- Marinated mackerel
- Preserved codfish
- Smoked trout fillets
- Examples
- Bumble Bee Canned Tuna
- John West Sardines
- King Oscar Sardines
- Princes Mackerel Fillets
- Chicken of the Sea Tuna
- Vita Classic Smoked Salmon
Codes often confused with 1604.19
Common mistake. This general code is often confused with more specific prepared fish codes like 1604.16 (anchovies) or 1604.17 (eels), or with minced fish preparations (1604.20). It must also be distinguished from fresh or frozen fish (Chapter 03).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 160419, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 160419 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 40% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 18% 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 China $1.3B 40% of world exports
- 2 Germany $453M 14% of world exports
- 3 Poland $269M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $3.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $475M 18% of world imports
- 2 France $246M 9.4% of world imports
- 3 Germany $211M 8.1% of world imports
World total: $2.6B 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 1604.19
Brazil does not split HS 1604.19: its NCM code is 1604.19.00.
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 1604.19
What is HS code 160419?
HS code 160419 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish preparations; fish prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced), n.e.c. in heading no. 1604. HS code 160419 is a broad 'basket' category for prepared or preserved fish, whole or in pieces, that are not specifically covered by other subheadings within 1604 (e.g., not anchovies, eels, shark fins, or minced fish). This code encompasses a vast array of products, reflecting diverse culinary traditions and preservation techniques globally. Major importers include countries with high seafood consumption and those lacking sufficient domestic processing capacity, such as the United States, Japan, and various European nations. Exporters are typically countries with strong fishing industries and advanced processing facilities, like Thailand, China, and Spain. Key considerations for this trade include the variety of fish species involved (tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring), the different preservation methods (canning, smoking, marinating, brining), and the importance of labeling and food safety standards. This category represents a significant portion of the global processed seafood market, catering to convenience and long shelf-life demands.
What products fall under HS code 160419?
Canned tuna in oil, smoked salmon fillets, pickled herring, canned sardines in tomato sauce, marinated mackerel, preserved codfish, smoked trout fillets
What are common misclassifications for HS code 160419?
This general code is often confused with more specific prepared fish codes like 1604.16 (anchovies) or 1604.17 (eels), or with minced fish preparations (1604.20). It must also be distinguished from fresh or frozen fish (Chapter 03).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 160419?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 160419 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.3B, 40% of world exports), Germany ($453M) and Poland ($269M). World exports came to about $3.3B, 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 160419?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 160419 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($475M, 18% of world imports), France ($246M) and Germany ($211M). World imports came to about $2.6B, 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 160419 structured?
HS code 160419 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 (19) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 160419?
In Brazil, HS code 160419 is NCM 1604.19.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.