Product classification
HS code for Chilled mackerel: 0302.44
Fish, fresh or chilled, mackerel (Scomber scombrus, Scomber australasicus, Scomber japonicus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.
Classification of chilled mackerel under HS 0302.44
Chilled mackerel is classified under HS code 0302.44 according to the nomenclature of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System. Chapter 3 covers edible aquatic animals, and heading 0302 is specifically designated for fish, fresh or chilled, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304. The subheading 0302.44 is restricted to mackerel belonging to the species Scomber scombrus, Scomber australasicus, and Scomber japonicus. To qualify for this code, the fish must be presented whole or in a minimally processed state, such as gutted or with the head removed. If the mackerel were to be filleted, it would move to heading 0304. The "chilled" status is critical; it refers to fish that has been reduced in temperature to approximately 0°C (32°F) using ice or mechanical refrigeration, but not frozen. This classification ensures that fresh mackerel is distinguished from frozen varieties or processed fish products in international trade statistics and customs duty applications. Proper classification is essential because mackerel is a highly traded commodity subject to various quotas and environmental regulations. Importers must ensure that the species matches the Scomber genus exactly, as other fish often referred to as "mackerel" in common parlance, such as Horse Mackerel, are classified under different subheadings like 0302.45. The distinction between fresh/chilled and frozen is a primary divider in the HS system for fish, as the logistics, shelf life, and market value differ significantly between these states. Consequently, 0302.44 serves as the primary identifier for the fresh mackerel trade globally.
- Covers
- Whole chilled Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus)
- Fresh gutted Blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus)
- Chilled Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), head-off
- Fresh mackerel on ice for retail sale
- Whole live mackerel intended for human consumption
- Also under 0302.44
- Norwegian Mackerel
- Scottish Mackerel
- Japanese Mackerel (Saba)
- Cornish Mackerel
Codes often confused with 0302.44
Common mistake. A common error is classifying chilled mackerel under HS code 0303.54, which is reserved for frozen mackerel. Another frequent misclassification occurs with mackerel fillets, which must be classified under HS code 0304.49 if fresh or chilled. Furthermore, Horse Mackerel (Trachurus spp.) is often confused with true mackerel but is correctly classified under HS code 0302.45.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030244 (the code used for chilled mackerel), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030244 (the code used for chilled mackerel) in UN Comtrade data was Denmark, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Norway, with 55% 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 030244, not only chilled mackerel.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Denmark $55M 30% of world exports
- 2 France $17M 9.6% of world exports
- 3 Iceland $15M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $181M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Norway $225M 55% of world imports
- 2 Faroe Islands* ~$43M 10% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Denmark $25M 6.1% of world imports
World total: $413M 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 mackerel
Brazil classifies chilled mackerel under NCM 0302.44.00: HS 0302.44 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about chilled mackerel
What is the HS code for Chilled mackerel?
The HS code for Chilled mackerel is 030244 (Fish; fresh or chilled, mackerel (Scomber scombrus, Scomber australasicus, Scomber japonicus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99). The HS code for fresh or chilled mackerel (Scomber spp.) is 0302.44.
How do I classify Chilled mackerel for customs?
Chilled mackerel is classified under HS code 030244 — Fish; fresh or chilled, mackerel (Scomber scombrus, Scomber australasicus, Scomber japonicus), 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 mackerel fillets covered under this code?
No, fish fillets, even if fresh or chilled, are classified under heading 0304. HS code 0302.44 is for whole or gutted fish only.
Which countries are the top exporters of chilled mackerel (HS 030244)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030244 (the code used for chilled mackerel) in UN Comtrade data were Denmark ($55M, 30% of world exports), France ($17M) and Iceland ($15M). World exports came to about $181M, 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 mackerel (HS 030244)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030244 (the code used for chilled mackerel) in UN Comtrade data were Norway ($225M, 55% of world imports), the Faroe Islands (about $43M) and Denmark ($25M). World imports came to about $413M, 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 mackerel the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030244 for Chilled mackerel 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 mackerel in Brazil?
In Brazil, chilled mackerel (HS 030244) is classified under NCM 0302.44.00.