HS Code 23.01 – Flours, meal and pellets, of meat or meat offal, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, unfit for human consumption; greaves

HS code 2301 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Flours, meal and pellets, of meat or meat offal, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, unfit for human consumption; greaves. HS Code 2301 covers 'Flours, meal and pellets, of meat or meat offal, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, unfit for human consumption; greaves.' This heading falls under Chapter 23, dedicated to Residues and Waste from the Food Industries and Prepared Animal Fodder. The core purpose of this classification is to encompass protein-rich by-products from animal processing that are not suitable for human consumption, primarily destined for animal feed or industrial uses. The scope is defined by the form (flour, meal, pellets) and the origin (meat, offal, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, other aquatic invertebrates), with the crucial qualifier being 'unfit for human consumption.' This explicitly excludes products intended for human food, even if similar in form. Key sub-categories include fish meal, meat and bone meal, poultry meal, and greaves (the solid residues left after rendering animal fats). Classification under 2301 is paramount for trade compliance due to stringent regulations concerning animal feed safety, disease prevention (e.g., Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy - BSE), and environmental controls. Importers and exporters must adhere to specific sanitary certificates, origin declarations, and processing standards. Historically, these products have been vital for sustainable agriculture, converting processing waste into valuable feed ingredients. Its relation to Chapter 23 underscores its role in the circular economy of the food industry, transforming what would otherwise be waste into economic value.

Fish meal (e.g., menhaden, anchovy, sardine), meat and bone meal, poultry meal, feather meal, blood meal, shrimp meal, crab meal, squid meal, krill meal, greaves (pork crackling residue), hydrolyzed feather meal, fish protein concentrate (feed grade), dried blood, rendered animal fat solids, fish solubles (solid residue), meat offal meal, poultry byproduct meal, bone meal (feed grade), fish flour (feed grade), crustacean shell meal, silkworm pupae meal, insect meal (feed grade), bovine meat meal, ovine meat meal, porcine meat meal.

A common misclassification for HS 2301 is confusing it with other animal by-products that are not in 'flour, meal, or pellet' form, or those fit for human consumption. For instance, animal guts or bladders (0504) or unworked bones (0506) are distinct from the processed meals of 2301. The crucial qualifier 'unfit for human consumption' is often overlooked; products like fish protein concentrate *for human consumption* would fall under Chapter 03 or 16, not 2301. Another frequent error is distinguishing between oil-cakes (Chapter 23, e.g., 2304, 2306) and meat/fish meals. Oil-cakes are plant-based residues, whereas 2301 is strictly animal-derived. Careful attention to the product's origin, form, and intended use is essential.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2301 in UN Comtrade data were Peru (about $1.9B, 21% of world exports), the United States ($937M) and Chile ($546M). World exports came to about $9.0B, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2301 in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.1B, 34% of world imports), Vietnam (about $704M) and Norway ($524M). World imports came to about $9.3B, 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.

HS code 2301 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 23 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (23) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (01) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.