Product classification
HS code for Chilled mutton carcass: 0204.21
Meat, of sheep, carcasses and half-carcasses (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses of lamb), fresh or chilled.
Classification of chilled mutton carcass under HS 0204.21
The classification of chilled mutton carcasses under HS code 0204.21 is strictly governed by the Harmonized System's nomenclature rules regarding meat products. This specific code is situated within Chapter 2, which covers all edible meat and meat offal. Heading 0204 is dedicated to the meat of sheep or goats. To be classified under 0204.21, the product must meet three primary criteria: species, form, and state of preservation. Firstly, the meat must be from sheep (Ovis aries) that have reached maturity, distinguishing it from lamb. Secondly, the product must be presented as a carcass or half-carcass. A carcass is defined as the whole body of the animal after slaughter and dressing, while a half-carcass is the result of splitting the carcass symmetrically along the spine. Thirdly, the meat must be fresh or chilled. Chilling involves lowering the temperature of the meat to a point above freezing, typically between -1°C and +7°C, to ensure the preservation of the product's natural characteristics during transit. This process is distinct from freezing, which involves lowering the temperature below the cryoscopic point, usually to -18°C or lower, which would necessitate a different HS code classification under the frozen subheadings.
- Covers
- Whole chilled mutton carcasses
- Symmetrically split mutton half-carcasses
- Fresh mutton carcasses (not yet chilled)
- Dressed mutton carcasses with kidneys or kidney fat attached
- Also under 0204.21
- Australian Mutton Carcasses
- New Zealand Mutton Halves
- British Mutton Carcasses
- Irish Mutton
- South African Mutton
Codes often confused with 0204.21
Common mistake. Common errors involve confusing mutton with lamb. Lamb carcasses are classified under 0204.10. The distinction is based on the age of the sheep, often determined by the presence of "break joints" in the front shanks. Another frequent error is using 0204.22, which is reserved for other cuts of mutton (boneless or bone-in) that do not constitute a full or half-carcass. Furthermore, if the mutton is frozen rather than chilled, it must be classified under 0204.30 (for carcasses) or 0204.41-43 (for cuts).
Top exporters and importers of HS 020421 (the code used for chilled mutton carcass), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 020421 (the code used for chilled mutton carcass) in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Algeria, with about 20% 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 020421, not only chilled mutton carcass.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Spain $175M 32% of world exports
- 2 Kazakhstan $81M 15% of world exports
- 3 India $75M 14% of world exports
World total: $540M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Algeria* ~$131M 20% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Italy $91M 14% of world imports
- 3 France $88M 13% of world imports
World total: $652M 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 mutton carcass
Brazil classifies chilled mutton carcass under NCM 0204.21.00: HS 0204.21 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about chilled mutton carcass
What is the HS code for Chilled mutton carcass?
The HS code for Chilled mutton carcass is 020421 (Meat; of sheep, carcasses and half-carcasses (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses of lamb), fresh or chilled). The HS code for chilled mutton carcasses and half-carcasses is 0204.21.
How do I classify Chilled mutton carcass for customs?
Chilled mutton carcass is classified under HS code 020421 — Meat; of sheep, carcasses and half-carcasses (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses of lamb), fresh or chilled. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between mutton and lamb in HS classification?
In the Harmonized System, lamb (0204.10) refers to meat from young sheep, while mutton (0204.21) refers to meat from adult sheep, typically identified by the ossification of the joints.
Which countries are the top exporters of chilled mutton carcass (HS 020421)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 020421 (the code used for chilled mutton carcass) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($175M, 32% of world exports), Kazakhstan ($81M) and India ($75M). World exports came to about $540M, 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 mutton carcass (HS 020421)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 020421 (the code used for chilled mutton carcass) in UN Comtrade data were Algeria (about $131M, 20% of world imports), Italy ($91M) and France ($88M). World imports came to about $652M, 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 mutton carcass the same in all countries?
The base HS code 020421 for Chilled mutton carcass 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 mutton carcass in Brazil?
In Brazil, chilled mutton carcass (HS 020421) is classified under NCM 0204.21.00.