Product classification
HS code for Chilled eels: 0302.74
Fish, fresh or chilled, eels (Anguilla spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.
Classification of chilled eels under HS 0302.74
Chilled eels are classified under HS code 0302.74. This classification follows the structure of Chapter 3, which covers fish and crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates. Heading 0302 is specifically for fish, fresh or chilled, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304. The subheading 0302.74 is a specific taxonomic designation for eels of the Anguilla species. To fall under this code, the fish must be presented whole or in a headed and gutted state, but not as fillets. The term chilled implies the product has been reduced in temperature to approximately 0 degrees Celsius without being frozen. This classification is vital for regulatory compliance regarding CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) as many eel species are subject to strict trade monitoring.
- Covers
- Fresh European eel (Anguilla anguilla)
- Chilled Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica)
- Chilled American eel (Anguilla rostrata)
- Whole chilled eels, gutted and cleaned
- Headed and gutted chilled eels
- Also under 0302.74
- European Eel (Anguilla anguilla)
- Japanese Eel (Anguilla japonica)
- American Eel (Anguilla rostrata)
- New Zealand Longfin Eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii)
Codes often confused with 0302.74
Common mistake. Chilled eels are often misclassified under 0301.92 if they are imported live, or under 0303.26 if they are frozen. Another common error is using 0304.49 for chilled eel fillets; heading 0304 is strictly for fillets and other fish meat, whereas 0302.74 is for the fish in its whole or minimally processed form. Furthermore, elvers (young eels) intended for aquaculture are often classified under 0301.92 rather than 0302.74.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030274 (the code used for chilled eels), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030274 (the code used for chilled eels) in UN Comtrade data was Denmark, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 22% 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 030274, not only chilled eels.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Denmark $2.8M 24% of world exports
- 2 China $2.6M 23% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $1.9M 17% of world exports
World total: $11M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $1.6M 22% of world imports
- 2 Spain $1.4M 19% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $787K 11% of world imports
World total: $7.3M 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 eels
Brazil classifies chilled eels under NCM 0302.74.00: HS 0302.74 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about chilled eels
What is the HS code for Chilled eels?
The HS code for Chilled eels is 030274 (Fish; fresh or chilled, eels (Anguilla spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99). The HS code for fresh or chilled eels of the Anguilla species is 0302.74.
How do I classify Chilled eels for customs?
Chilled eels is classified under HS code 030274 — Fish; fresh or chilled, eels (Anguilla spp.), 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.
Are smoked eels covered under this HS code?
No, smoked eels are classified under heading 0305, specifically 0305.44, as they have undergone a preservation process beyond simple chilling.
Which countries are the top exporters of chilled eels (HS 030274)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030274 (the code used for chilled eels) in UN Comtrade data were Denmark ($2.8M, 24% of world exports), China ($2.6M) and the Netherlands ($1.9M). World exports came to about $11M, 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 eels (HS 030274)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030274 (the code used for chilled eels) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.6M, 22% of world imports), Spain ($1.4M) and Belgium ($787K). World imports came to about $7.3M, 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 eels the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030274 for Chilled eels 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 eels in Brazil?
In Brazil, chilled eels (HS 030274) is classified under NCM 0302.74.00.