Product classification
HS code for Chilled bluefin tuna: 0302.35
Fish, fresh or chilled, Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tunas (Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus orientalis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.
Classification of chilled bluefin tuna under HS 0302.35
Chilled bluefin tuna is classified under HS code 0302.35, a designation that specifically covers Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis). Classification is driven by the Harmonized System's requirement to distinguish high-value tuna species for conservation and trade monitoring. To qualify for this code, the tuna must be fresh or chilled, meaning it has been cooled to a temperature near 0°C but not frozen. This classification applies to whole fish, fish without heads, or gutted fish. The distinction between bluefin and other tuna species, such as Bigeye (0302.34) or Yellowfin (0302.32), is critical because bluefin tunas are often subject to stricter quotas and documentation requirements, such as the Bluefin Tuna Catch Document (BCD) program. The product must not have undergone any processing beyond basic cleaning; any filleting or portioning into loins would move the classification to heading 0304. The use of the term "chilled" implies that the internal temperature of the fish has been lowered to maintain freshness during transit, typically via air freight for the high-end sashimi market.
- Covers
- Fresh Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)
- Chilled Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis)
- Whole bluefin tuna on ice
- Gutted and gilled chilled bluefin tuna
- Also under 0302.35
- Hon Maguro (Japanese Bluefin)
- Balfegó Bluefin Tuna
- Baja Aquafarms Bluefin
- Mediterranean Bluefin
Codes often confused with 0302.35
Common mistake. A frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 0302.36, which is specifically for Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii). While all are bluefin, the Southern variety is taxonomically distinct and has its own code. Another common error is using 0303.45, which is the code for frozen Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna. If the fish is frozen for long-term storage or sea transport, it cannot remain in 0302. Finally, tuna loins are often incorrectly placed here instead of 0304.49 (fresh/chilled fillets and other fish meat).
Top exporters and importers of HS 030235 (the code used for chilled bluefin tuna), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030235 (the code used for chilled bluefin tuna) in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 46% 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 030235, not only chilled bluefin tuna.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Spain $108M 28% of world exports
- 2 Türkiye $66M 17% of world exports
- 3 Croatia $53M 14% of world exports
World total: $383M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $144M 46% of world imports
- 2 China $36M 11% of world imports
- 3 Japan $30M 9.7% of world imports
World total: $315M 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 chilled bluefin tuna
Brazil classifies chilled bluefin tuna under NCM 0302.35.00: HS 0302.35 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about chilled bluefin tuna
What is the HS code for Chilled bluefin tuna?
The HS code for Chilled bluefin tuna is 030235 (Fish; fresh or chilled, Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tunas (Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus orientalis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99). The HS code for chilled Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna is 0302.35.
How do I classify Chilled bluefin tuna for customs?
Chilled bluefin tuna is classified under HS code 030235 — Fish; fresh or chilled, Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tunas (Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus orientalis), 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.
Is Southern bluefin tuna included in this code?
No, Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) is classified under HS code 0302.36.
Which countries are the top exporters of chilled bluefin tuna (HS 030235)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030235 (the code used for chilled bluefin tuna) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($108M, 28% of world exports), Türkiye ($66M) and Croatia ($53M). World exports came to about $383M, 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 bluefin tuna (HS 030235)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030235 (the code used for chilled bluefin tuna) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($144M, 46% of world imports), China ($36M) and Japan ($30M). World imports came to about $315M, 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 bluefin tuna the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030235 for Chilled bluefin tuna 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 bluefin tuna in Brazil?
In Brazil, chilled bluefin tuna (HS 030235) is classified under NCM 0302.35.00.