Product classification
HS code for Chilled Nile perch fillets: 0304.33
Fish fillets, fresh or chilled, Nile perch (Lates niloticus).
Classification of chilled Nile perch fillets under HS 0304.33
Chilled Nile perch fillets are classified under HS code 0304.33. This classification is governed by the specific processing the fish has undergone and its biological species. Heading 0304 is reserved for fish fillets and other fish meat (whether or not minced), fresh, chilled, or frozen. Within this heading, the subheadings are organized by the state (fresh/chilled vs. frozen) and then by species. Subheading 0304.33 specifically identifies fresh or chilled fillets of Nile perch (Lates niloticus). A fillet is defined as a strip of meat cut parallel to the backbone of the fish, consisting of the right or left side, provided the head, viscera, fins, and bones have been removed, though the skin may remain. The distinction between 0302 (whole fish) and 0304 (fillets) is a fundamental principle of fish classification in the Harmonized System. The classification follows GRI 1, which prioritizes the terms of the heading. Because the product is a fillet, it is excluded from 0302 and must be placed in 0304. GRI 6 then specifies the species-specific subheading 0304.33 for Nile perch.
- Covers
- Fresh Nile perch fillets
- Chilled Nile perch fillets with skin on
- Skinless chilled Nile perch fillets
- Individual chilled Nile perch fillet portions
- Also under 0304.33
- Lake Victoria Fish Processors
- various European seafood distributors
- specific African export brands
- restaurant suppliers
Codes often confused with 0304.33
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 0302.79, which is for whole or gutted chilled Nile perch. Importers often confuse the two when the fish is only partially processed. Additionally, chilled fillets are sometimes incorrectly entered under 0304.63, which is the specific code for frozen Nile perch fillets. The temperature state at the time of customs entry is the deciding factor between these codes.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030433 (the code used for chilled Nile perch fillets), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030433 (the code used for chilled Nile perch fillets) in UN Comtrade data was Uganda, with 48% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 38% 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 030433, not only chilled Nile perch fillets.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Uganda $65M 48% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $35M 26% of world exports
- 3 Tanzania $22M 16% of world exports
World total: $136M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $44M 38% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $18M 16% of world imports
- 3 Spain $12M 10% of world imports
World total: $117M 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 Nile perch fillets
Brazil classifies chilled Nile perch fillets under NCM 0304.33.00: HS 0304.33 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about chilled Nile perch fillets
What is the HS code for Chilled Nile perch fillets?
The HS code for Chilled Nile perch fillets is 030433 (Fish fillets; fresh or chilled, Nile perch (Lates niloticus)). The HS code for chilled Nile perch fillets is 0304.33.
How do I classify Chilled Nile perch fillets for customs?
Chilled Nile perch fillets is classified under HS code 030433 — Fish fillets; fresh or chilled, Nile perch (Lates niloticus). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What if the fillets are frozen instead of chilled?
If the Nile perch fillets are frozen, they should be classified under HS code 0304.63.
Which countries are the top exporters of chilled Nile perch fillets (HS 030433)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030433 (the code used for chilled Nile perch fillets) in UN Comtrade data were Uganda ($65M, 48% of world exports), the Netherlands ($35M) and Tanzania ($22M). World exports came to about $136M, 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 Nile perch fillets (HS 030433)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030433 (the code used for chilled Nile perch fillets) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($44M, 38% of world imports), the Netherlands ($18M) and Spain ($12M). World imports came to about $117M, 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 Nile perch fillets the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030433 for Chilled Nile perch fillets 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 Nile perch fillets in Brazil?
In Brazil, chilled Nile perch fillets (HS 030433) is classified under NCM 0304.33.00.