Product classification
HS code for Chilled bone-in beef cuts: 0201.20
Meat, of bovine animals, cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses), fresh or chilled.
Classification of chilled bone-in beef cuts under HS 0201.20
HS code 0201.20 applies to fresh or chilled cuts of bovine meat that contain the bone. This classification falls under Chapter 2 (Meat and edible meat offal) and heading 0201, which is strictly for bovine meat that is fresh or chilled. The term "bovine" includes domestic cattle, buffalo, and oxen. To be classified under 0201.20, the meat must be presented in cuts other than whole carcasses or half-carcasses (which fall under 0201.10). The presence of the bone is the defining characteristic of this subheading. "Chilled" refers to meat that has been cooled to a temperature generally between -1°C and +7°C, ensuring it is preserved without being frozen. This classification is essential for customs because bone-in meat is often subject to different veterinary inspections and duty rates compared to boneless meat. The meat must not be processed (e.g., salted, dried, or smoked) or cooked, as such treatments would move the product to heading 0210 or Chapter 16.
- Covers
- Chilled T-bone steaks
- Fresh rib-in beef roasts
- Chilled short ribs (bone-in)
- Beef quarters with bone remaining
- Also under 0201.20
- Certified Angus Beef (CAB) bone-in cuts
- Wagyu beef brands
- local butcher shops sourcing international cuts
Codes often confused with 0201.20
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is with HS code 0201.30, which is for boneless chilled beef. Importers must ensure that if any bone remains in the cut, it is classified under 0201.20. Another error involves 0202.20, which covers bone-in beef cuts that are frozen. The distinction between chilled (0201) and frozen (0202) is a frequent point of contention in customs audits. Additionally, whole carcasses must be correctly identified and placed in 0201.10 rather than 0201.20.
Top exporters and importers of HS 020120 (the code used for chilled bone-in beef cuts), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 020120 (the code used for chilled bone-in beef cuts) in UN Comtrade data was Poland, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 21% 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 020120, not only chilled bone-in beef cuts.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Poland $1.5B 19% of world exports
- 2 France $834M 10% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $826M 10% of world exports
World total: $8.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $1.6B 21% of world imports
- 2 United States $1.1B 14% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $618M 7.9% of world imports
World total: $7.8B 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 codes for chilled bone-in beef cuts
Brazil splits HS 0201.20 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 0201.20.10Bone-in beef forequarters, fresh or chilled
- 0201.20.20Bone-in beef hindquarters, fresh or chilled
- 0201.20.90Other bone-in beef cuts, fresh or chilled
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about chilled bone-in beef cuts
What is the HS code for Chilled bone-in beef cuts?
The HS code for Chilled bone-in beef cuts is 020120 (Meat; of bovine animals, cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses), fresh or chilled). The HS code for fresh or chilled bone-in beef cuts is 0201.20.
How do I classify Chilled bone-in beef cuts for customs?
Chilled bone-in beef cuts is classified under HS code 020120 — Meat; of bovine animals, cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses), fresh or chilled. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include frozen beef with bones?
No, frozen bone-in beef cuts are classified under HS code 0202.20. Heading 0201 is exclusively for fresh or chilled meat.
Which countries are the top exporters of chilled bone-in beef cuts (HS 020120)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 020120 (the code used for chilled bone-in beef cuts) in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($1.5B, 19% of world exports), France ($834M) and the Netherlands ($826M). World exports came to about $8.0B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of chilled bone-in beef cuts (HS 020120)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 020120 (the code used for chilled bone-in beef cuts) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($1.6B, 21% of world imports), the United States ($1.1B) and the Netherlands ($618M). World imports came to about $7.8B, 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 bone-in beef cuts the same in all countries?
The base HS code 020120 for Chilled bone-in beef cuts 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 bone-in beef cuts in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 020120 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for chilled bone-in beef cuts depends on the product's details: 0201.20.10 (Bone-in beef forequarters, fresh or chilled), 0201.20.20 (Bone-in beef hindquarters, fresh or chilled), 0201.20.90 (Other bone-in beef cuts, fresh or chilled).