Product classification
HS code for Corned beef: 1602.50
Meat preparations, of bovine animals, meat or meat offal, prepared or preserved (excluding livers and homogenised preparations).
Classification of corned beef under HS 1602.50
Corned beef is classified under HS code 160250, which is the specific designation for prepared or preserved meat of bovine animals. This classification is applied because corned beef has undergone processing that goes beyond simple preservation methods like freezing or chilling. The production of corned beef involves curing the meat in a salt-brine solution (often with added spices and nitrates) and then cooking it, frequently followed by canning in airtight containers. These steps change the chemical and physical nature of the beef, placing it firmly within Chapter 16, which covers preparations of meat. The "50" suffix specifically identifies the meat as being from bovine animals (cattle). This code is essential for international trade as it allows for the separate tracking of processed meat products versus raw carcasses or cuts. The classification remains the same whether the corned beef is sold in a can, a vacuum-sealed pouch, or as a deli-style prepared meat, provided it is fully cooked and cured.
- Covers
- Canned corned beef
- Cured and cooked bovine meat
- Corned beef brisket in airtight packaging
- Prepared beef preparations (excluding liver)
- Preserved bovine meat in brine (cooked)
- Also under 1602.50
- Libby's Corned Beef
- Hereford Corned Beef
- Jack Link's Beef Jerky
- Hormel Beef Roast
- Dinty Moore Beef Stew
Codes often confused with 1602.50
Common mistake. Corned beef is often misclassified under HS code 0202, which is for frozen bovine meat. However, Chapter 02 is only for raw meat; once the meat is cured and cooked, it must be in 1602. Another common error is using 160210, which is for homogenized preparations (baby food). If the corned beef is mixed with a high volume of vegetables (like corned beef hash), it may be classified under 2106 or 1602 depending on the meat content percentage.
Top exporters and importers of HS 160250 (the code used for corned beef), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 160250 (the code used for corned beef) in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 21% 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 160250, not only corned beef.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Brazil $727M 21% of world exports
- 2 Poland $336M 9.8% of world exports
- 3 Germany $305M 8.9% of world exports
World total: $3.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $638M 21% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $330M 11% of world imports
- 3 Canada $237M 7.7% of world imports
World total: $3.1B 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 corned beef
Brazil classifies corned beef under NCM 1602.50.00: HS 1602.50 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
Questions about corned beef
What is the HS code for Corned beef?
The HS code for Corned beef is 160250 (Meat preparations; of bovine animals, meat or meat offal, prepared or preserved (excluding livers and homogenised preparations)). The HS code for prepared or preserved bovine meat, such as corned beef, is 160250.
How do I classify Corned beef for customs?
Corned beef is classified under HS code 160250 — Meat preparations; of bovine animals, meat or meat offal, prepared or preserved (excluding livers and homogenised preparations). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is fresh beef in the same category as corned beef?
No, fresh beef is classified in Chapter 02 (0201), while corned beef is a preparation classified in Chapter 16 (160250).
Which countries are the top exporters of corned beef (HS 160250)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 160250 (the code used for corned beef) in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($727M, 21% of world exports), Poland ($336M) and Germany ($305M). World exports came to about $3.4B, 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 corned beef (HS 160250)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 160250 (the code used for corned beef) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($638M, 21% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($330M) and Canada ($237M). World imports came to about $3.1B, 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 Corned beef the same in all countries?
The base HS code 160250 for Corned beef 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 corned beef in Brazil?
In Brazil, corned beef (HS 160250) is classified under NCM 1602.50.00.