Product classification
HS code for Caviar substitute: 1604.32
Fish preparations, caviar substitutes, prepared from fish eggs.
Classification of caviar substitute under HS 1604.32
Caviar substitutes are classified under HS code 1604.32 within the Harmonized System. This classification is governed by the General Interpretative Rules (GIR) and Chapter 16 notes, which cover prepared or preserved fish, crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebrates. Specifically, heading 1604 applies to prepared or preserved fish and fish roe. While authentic caviar derived from sturgeon eggs is classified under 1604.31, all other prepared fish eggs intended for consumption as a caviar alternative fall under 1604.32. To qualify for this code, the product must be prepared or preserved, typically through salting, washing, or the addition of flavorings and colorants. Raw, untreated fish roe is generally excluded from this chapter and is instead classified in Chapter 03, provided it has not been prepared beyond basic chilling or freezing. The distinction between 1604.31 and 1604.32 is strictly biological, based on the species of fish from which the roe is harvested.
- Covers
- Lumpfish roe prepared as caviar
- Salmon roe (ikura) processed for preservation
- Whitefish roe seasoned and packaged for retail
- Cod roe preparations used as spreads or substitutes
- Carp roe and herring roe processed for caviar-style consumption
- Also under 1604.32
- Romanoff Red Lumpfish Caviar
- Roland Black Lumpfish Caviar
- Sanniti Salmon Roe
- Tobiko (various brands)
- Masago (various brands)
- Tsar Nicoulai Trout Roe
Codes often confused with 1604.32
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 1604.31, which is reserved exclusively for caviar obtained from the eggs of sturgeon. Importers often confuse the two when the packaging uses the term "caviar" without specifying the fish species. Additionally, fresh, chilled, or frozen fish roe that has not been prepared or preserved is classified under 0302.91 or 0303.91. If the product is a plant-based imitation (e.g., made from seaweed), it should be classified under 2106.90 as a food preparation not elsewhere specified, rather than 1604.32.
Top exporters and importers of HS 160432 (the code used for caviar substitute), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 160432 (the code used for caviar substitute) in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.6% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 160432, not only caviar substitute.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Japan $69M 19% of world exports
- 2 China $47M 13% of world exports
- 3 Germany $46M 13% of world exports
World total: $357M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $32M 9.6% of world imports
- 2 France $32M 9.6% of world imports
- 3 Germany $27M 8.2% of world imports
World total: $331M 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 caviar substitute
Brazil classifies caviar substitute under NCM 1604.32.00: HS 1604.32 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about caviar substitute
What is the HS code for Caviar substitute?
The HS code for Caviar substitute is 160432 (Fish preparations; caviar substitutes, prepared from fish eggs). The HS code for caviar substitute prepared from fish eggs is 1604.32.
How do I classify Caviar substitute for customs?
Caviar substitute is classified under HS code 160432 — Fish preparations; caviar substitutes, prepared from fish eggs. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How does 1604.32 differ from 1604.31?
HS code 1604.31 is strictly for caviar produced from sturgeon, whereas 1604.32 covers substitutes made from the roe of any other fish species, such as salmon or lumpfish.
Which countries are the top exporters of caviar substitute (HS 160432)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 160432 (the code used for caviar substitute) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($69M, 19% of world exports), China ($47M) and Germany ($46M). World exports came to about $357M, 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 caviar substitute (HS 160432)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 160432 (the code used for caviar substitute) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($32M, 9.6% of world imports), France ($32M) and Germany ($27M). World imports came to about $331M, 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.
Is the HS code for Caviar substitute the same in all countries?
The base HS code 160432 for Caviar substitute is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for caviar substitute in Brazil?
In Brazil, caviar substitute (HS 160432) is classified under NCM 1604.32.00.