HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2301.20 – Flours, meals and pellets; of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates
HS code 2301.20 is the 6-digit subheading for flours, meals and pellets, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates. It is used for fish meal, shrimp meal, krill meal, squid meal and fish protein concentrate.
What HS 2301.20 covers
This HS code encompasses flours, meals, and pellets derived from fish, crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebrates. These products are highly valued in international trade as premium protein sources for aquaculture, poultry, and pig farming due to their excellent amino acid profile and digestibility. The global trade is robust, driven by the increasing demand for sustainable and efficient animal protein production. Major fishing nations and seafood processing hubs, such as Peru, Chile, and Iceland, are key suppliers, while countries with large aquaculture industries and intensive livestock farming, like China, Norway, and Vietnam, are primary consumers. Quality control, including freshness and protein content, is critical for these high-value feed ingredients.
- Covers
- Fish meal
- Shrimp meal
- Krill meal
- Squid meal
- Fish protein concentrate
- Fish meal pellets
- Crab meal
- Anchovy meal
- Examples
- TripleNine Fishmeal
- BioMar Fishmeal
- Skretting Krill Meal
- Copeinca Fishmeal
Codes often confused with 2301.20
Common mistake. This code could be confused with other animal meals like meat meal (230110) if the aquatic origin is not clearly stated, or with pet food ingredients (2309) if further processed into a finished product.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 230120, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 230120 in UN Comtrade data was Peru, with about 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 46% 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 Peru* ~$1.9B 30% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Chile $541M 8.8% of world exports
- 3 Denmark $449M 7.3% of world exports
World total: $6.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $2.9B 46% of world imports
- 2 Norway $518M 8.3% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $258M 4.1% of world imports
World total: $6.3B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 codes for 2301.20 2
Brazil splits HS 2301.20 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2301.20.10 Fish meal and pellets, unfit for human foodDe peixes
- 2301.20.90 Crustacean, mollusc, aquatic invertebrate mealOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 23.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2301.20
What is HS code 230120?
HS code 230120 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Flours, meals and pellets; of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates. This HS code encompasses flours, meals, and pellets derived from fish, crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebrates. These products are highly valued in international trade as premium protein sources for aquaculture, poultry, and pig farming due to their excellent amino acid profile and digestibility. The global trade is robust, driven by the increasing demand for sustainable and efficient animal protein production. Major fishing nations and seafood processing hubs, such as Peru, Chile, and Iceland, are key suppliers, while countries with large aquaculture industries and intensive livestock farming, like China, Norway, and Vietnam, are primary consumers. Quality control, including freshness and protein content, is critical for these high-value feed ingredients.
What products fall under HS code 230120?
Fish meal, shrimp meal, krill meal, squid meal, fish protein concentrate, fish meal pellets, crab meal, anchovy meal
What are common misclassifications for HS code 230120?
This code could be confused with other animal meals like meat meal (230110) if the aquatic origin is not clearly stated, or with pet food ingredients (2309) if further processed into a finished product.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 230120?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 230120 in UN Comtrade data were Peru (about $1.9B, 30% of world exports), Chile ($541M) and Denmark ($449M). World exports came to about $6.1B, 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 230120?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 230120 in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.9B, 46% of world imports), Norway ($518M) and the United Kingdom ($258M). World imports came to about $6.3B, 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.
How is HS code 230120 structured?
HS code 230120 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (23) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 230120?
Brazil splits HS code 230120 into 2 NCM codes: 2301.20.10 (Fish meal and pellets, unfit for human food), 2301.20.90 (Crustacean, mollusc, aquatic invertebrate meal). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.