HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1604.31 – Fish preparations; caviar
HS code 1604.31 is the 6-digit subheading for fish preparations, caviar. It is used for beluga caviar, osetra caviar, sevruga caviar, siberian sturgeon caviar and kaluga caviar.
What HS 1604.31 covers
HS code 160431 is dedicated exclusively to caviar, the processed, salted roe of sturgeon. This product is a high-value luxury good, traded globally as a symbol of opulence and fine dining. Major importers are typically affluent countries with a strong market for luxury foods, including the United States, Japan, France, and the United Kingdom. Exporters are primarily countries with sturgeon aquaculture operations, such as China, Italy, and France, as well as traditional producers like Russia and Iran, though wild caviar trade is heavily restricted by CITES regulations due to endangered sturgeon populations. Key considerations in this trade include the species of sturgeon (Beluga, Osetra, Sevruga), the processing method (Malossol being preferred), grading, packaging, and strict adherence to international wildlife protection laws. The market is characterized by high prices, specialized distribution channels, and a discerning clientele.
- Covers
- Beluga caviar
- Osetra caviar
- Sevruga caviar
- Siberian sturgeon caviar
- Kaluga caviar
- White sturgeon caviar
- Imperial caviar
- Examples
- Petrossian Caviar
- Caviar House & Prunier
- Sterling Caviar
- Tsar Imperial Caviar
- Sasanian Caviar
- Black River Caviar
Codes often confused with 1604.31
Common mistake. This code is strictly for true sturgeon caviar and should not be confused with caviar substitutes (1604.32) or fresh, unprocessed fish roe (0511.91).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 160431, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 160431 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, 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 China $118M 41% of world exports
- 2 Germany $28M 9.7% of world exports
- 3 Italy $28M 9.6% of world exports
World total: $287M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $67M 25% of world imports
- 2 Germany $26M 9.8% of world imports
- 3 France $18M 6.6% of world imports
World total: $267M 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 1604.31
Brazil does not split HS 1604.31: its NCM code is 1604.31.00.
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 1604.31
What is HS code 160431?
HS code 160431 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Fish preparations; caviar. HS code 160431 is dedicated exclusively to caviar, the processed, salted roe of sturgeon. This product is a high-value luxury good, traded globally as a symbol of opulence and fine dining. Major importers are typically affluent countries with a strong market for luxury foods, including the United States, Japan, France, and the United Kingdom. Exporters are primarily countries with sturgeon aquaculture operations, such as China, Italy, and France, as well as traditional producers like Russia and Iran, though wild caviar trade is heavily restricted by CITES regulations due to endangered sturgeon populations. Key considerations in this trade include the species of sturgeon (Beluga, Osetra, Sevruga), the processing method (Malossol being preferred), grading, packaging, and strict adherence to international wildlife protection laws. The market is characterized by high prices, specialized distribution channels, and a discerning clientele.
What products fall under HS code 160431?
Beluga caviar, Osetra caviar, Sevruga caviar, Siberian sturgeon caviar, Kaluga caviar, White sturgeon caviar, Imperial caviar
What are common misclassifications for HS code 160431?
This code is strictly for true sturgeon caviar and should not be confused with caviar substitutes (1604.32) or fresh, unprocessed fish roe (0511.91).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 160431?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 160431 in UN Comtrade data were China ($118M, 41% of world exports), Germany ($28M) and Italy ($28M). World exports came to about $287M, 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 160431?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 160431 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($67M, 25% of world imports), Germany ($26M) and France ($18M). World imports came to about $267M, 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 160431 structured?
HS code 160431 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 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 160431?
In Brazil, HS code 160431 is NCM 1604.31.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.