Product classification
HS code for Chilled fish: 0302.59
Fish, fresh or chilled, n.e.c. in item no. 0302.5, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.
Classification of chilled fish under HS 0302.59
The HS code 0302.59 is a residual category for fresh or chilled fish belonging to the Gadidae family that are not specifically named in the preceding subheadings of the 0302.5 group. Chapter 3 of the Harmonized System governs the classification of fish. Heading 0302 focuses on fresh or chilled fish, excluding fillets. The 0302.5x series specifically targets fish of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae, and Muraenolepididae. While codes like 0302.51 (Cod) and 0302.54 (Hake) cover the most common commercial species, 0302.59 serves as the \"Other\" category for less common species within these families. Classification requires that the fish is fresh or chilled and presented whole, headed, or gutted, but not filleted.
- Covers
- Chilled Blue Whiting (Micromesistius poutassou)
- Chilled Southern Blue Whiting
- Chilled Pollock (Pollachius pollachius)
- Chilled Saithe (Pollachius virens)
- Other fresh or chilled Gadidae family fish not listed in 0302.51-0302.56
- Also under 0302.59
- Fresh Ling (Molva molva)
- Chilled European Whiting
- Fresh Tusk (Brosme brosme).
Codes often confused with 0302.59
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs when species specifically listed in 0302.51 through 0302.56 are placed in 0302.59 by mistake. For example, Atlantic Cod must be in 0302.51. Additionally, if the fish is frozen, it moves to heading 0303 (specifically 0303.69 for other Gadidae). If the fish is presented as fillets, it must be classified under heading 0304, specifically 0304.44 for fresh or chilled fillets of the Gadidae family.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030259 (the code used for chilled fish), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030259 (the code used for chilled fish) in UN Comtrade data was the United Kingdom, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 26% 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 030259, not only chilled fish.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United Kingdom $24M 13% of world exports
- 2 Ecuador $21M 12% of world exports
- 3 Mexico $20M 11% of world exports
World total: $182M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $31M 26% of world imports
- 2 Denmark $12M 10% of world imports
- 3 Portugal $12M 9.9% of world imports
World total: $119M 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 fish
Brazil classifies chilled fish under NCM 0302.59.00: HS 0302.59 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about chilled fish
What is the HS code for Chilled fish?
The HS code for Chilled fish is 030259 (Fish; fresh or chilled, n.e.c. in item no. 0302.5, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99).
How do I classify Chilled fish for customs?
Chilled fish is classified under HS code 030259 — Fish; fresh or chilled, n.e.c. in item no. 0302.5, 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.
What does HS code 0302.59 cover?
It covers fresh or chilled fish of the Gadidae and related families that are not specifically mentioned in subheadings 0302.51 through 0302.56.
Can I use this code for frozen pollock?
No, frozen pollock is classified under heading 0303, typically 0303.67 for Alaska Pollock or 0303.69 for other types.
Which countries are the top exporters of chilled fish (HS 030259)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030259 (the code used for chilled fish) in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($24M, 13% of world exports), Ecuador ($21M) and Mexico ($20M). World exports came to about $182M, 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 fish (HS 030259)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030259 (the code used for chilled fish) in UN Comtrade data were France ($31M, 26% of world imports), Denmark ($12M) and Portugal ($12M). World imports came to about $119M, 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 fish the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030259 for Chilled fish 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 fish in Brazil?
In Brazil, chilled fish (HS 030259) is classified under NCM 0302.59.00.