Product classification
HS code for Chilled blue whiting: 0302.56
Fish, fresh or chilled, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis),excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.
Classification of chilled blue whiting under HS 0302.56
The classification of chilled blue whiting under HS code 0302.56 is determined by the biological species and the method of preservation. This specific code is reserved for fish of the genus Micromesistius, specifically the species Micromesistius poutassou (Northern blue whiting) and Micromesistius australis (Southern blue whiting). According to the General Interpretative Rules (GIR) 1 and 6, the product must be fresh or chilled to fall under heading 0302. Chilling refers to the process of reducing the temperature of the fish to approximately 0°C (32°F) without actually freezing it. This state is typically achieved using ice or refrigerated seawater. The fish must be presented whole, headed, or gutted. If the fish were to be processed into fillets or other fish meat, such as mince, it would be excluded from this heading and classified under heading 0304. Furthermore, the fish must not be frozen, dried, salted, or in brine, as these states would trigger classification in headings 0303 or 0305 respectively. The classification is precise to ensure that trade statistics and tariff applications for these specific gadied species are accurately recorded globally.
- Covers
- Fresh whole blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou)
- Chilled gutted blue whiting (Micromesistius australis)
- Headed and gutted chilled blue whiting
- Blue whiting transported on ice in crates
- Also under 0302.56
- Fresh North Atlantic Blue Whiting
- Chilled Patagonian Blue Whiting.
Codes often confused with 0302.56
Common mistake. Chilled blue whiting is frequently misclassified under HS code 0303.68, which is designated for frozen blue whiting. The distinction lies entirely in the temperature and physical state; if the product has been frozen to a temperature below its freezing point, it must move to 0303. Another common error is using HS code 0304.49 for fresh or chilled fillets. Once the bone structure is removed to produce a fillet, the product leaves heading 0302 entirely. Additionally, it may be confused with other cod-like fish in subheading 0302.51 (Atlantic Cod) if the species is not correctly identified by the importer.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030256 (the code used for chilled blue whiting), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030256 (the code used for chilled blue whiting) in UN Comtrade data was the Faroe Islands, with about 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Nigeria, with 43% 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 030256, not only chilled blue whiting.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Faroe Islands* ~$22M 42% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Russia* ~$10M 20% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Greenland* ~$6.5M 12% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $53M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Nigeria $51M 43% of world imports
- 2 Denmark $31M 26% of world imports
- 3 Norway $18M 15% of world imports
World total: $118M 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 code for chilled blue whiting
Brazil classifies chilled blue whiting under NCM 0302.56.00: HS 0302.56 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about chilled blue whiting
What is the HS code for Chilled blue whiting?
The HS code for Chilled blue whiting is 030256 (Fish; fresh or chilled, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis),excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99). The HS code for chilled blue whiting is 0302.56, which covers fresh or chilled Micromesistius poutassou and Micromesistius australis.
How do I classify Chilled blue whiting for customs?
Chilled blue whiting is classified under HS code 030256 — Fish; fresh or chilled, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis),excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include blue whiting fillets?
No, fillets are classified under heading 0304. HS code 0302.56 only applies to whole fish or fish that has been headed or gutted but retains its primary skeletal structure.
Which countries are the top exporters of chilled blue whiting (HS 030256)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030256 (the code used for chilled blue whiting) in UN Comtrade data were the Faroe Islands (about $22M, 42% of world exports), Russia (about $10M) and Greenland (about $6.5M). World exports came to about $53M, 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 chilled blue whiting (HS 030256)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030256 (the code used for chilled blue whiting) in UN Comtrade data were Nigeria ($51M, 43% of world imports), Denmark ($31M) and Norway ($18M). World imports came to about $118M, 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 Chilled blue whiting the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030256 for Chilled blue whiting 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 chilled blue whiting in Brazil?
In Brazil, chilled blue whiting (HS 030256) is classified under NCM 0302.56.00.