Product classification
HS code for Donkey meat: 0205.00
Meat, of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen.
Classification of donkey meat under HS 0205.00
Donkey meat is classified under HS code 0205.00. This classification is governed by the General Rules for the Interpretation (GRI) of the Harmonized System, specifically GRI 1, which states that classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Chapter 2 of the HS nomenclature is dedicated to meat and edible meat offal. Heading 0205 specifically covers the meat of horses, asses, mules, or hinnies, whether it is fresh, chilled, or frozen. The term \"asses\" in this context refers to donkeys. This heading is unique because it groups several equine species together rather than separating them into individual headings. The classification applies to the muscle tissue and attached fat of the animal. It is important to note that for a product to fall under this code, it must not have been prepared or preserved beyond the processes of chilling, freezing, or simple butchery. If the meat is salted, in brine, dried, or smoked, it would move to a different heading within the same chapter. The classification is essential for ensuring that food safety standards and import quotas specific to equine meat are correctly applied at international borders.
- Covers
- Fresh donkey carcasses and half-carcasses
- Chilled donkey meat cuts
- Frozen donkey meat (boneless or bone-in)
- Edible meat of wild or domestic asses
- Frozen equine meat specifically from donkeys
- Also under 0205.00
- Chevaline (French horse meat)
- Belgian horse meat products
- Italian horse meat specialties
Codes often confused with 0205.00
Common mistake. Donkey meat is often confused with HS code 0206.80 or 0206.90, which cover edible offal. Offal includes organs like the heart, liver, or tongue, which are distinct from \"meat\" (muscle tissue). Another common error is using 0210.99, which is for meat that has been salted, dried, or smoked. If the donkey meat has been processed into sausages or similar products, it must be classified under 1601.00.
Top exporters and importers of HS 020500 (the code used for donkey meat), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 020500 (the code used for donkey meat) in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 45% 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 020500, not only donkey meat.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Belgium $58M 18% of world exports
- 2 Poland $53M 16% of world exports
- 3 Spain $33M 9.9% of world exports
World total: $333M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $185M 45% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $64M 15% of world imports
- 3 Japan $36M 8.8% 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 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 donkey meat
Brazil classifies donkey meat under NCM 0205.00.00: HS 0205.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about donkey meat
What is the HS code for Donkey meat?
The HS code for Donkey meat is 020500 (Meat; of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen). The HS code is 0205.00, which covers the meat of horses, asses, mules, or hinnies, fresh, chilled, or frozen.
How do I classify Donkey meat for customs?
Donkey meat is classified under HS code 020500 — Meat; of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include donkey offal?
No, edible offal from donkeys, such as the liver or heart, is classified under heading 0206 rather than 0205.
Which countries are the top exporters of donkey meat (HS 020500)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 020500 (the code used for donkey meat) in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($58M, 18% of world exports), Poland ($53M) and Spain ($33M). World exports came to about $333M, 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 donkey meat (HS 020500)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 020500 (the code used for donkey meat) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($185M, 45% of world imports), Belgium ($64M) and Japan ($36M). 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 Donkey meat the same in all countries?
The base HS code 020500 for Donkey meat 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 donkey meat in Brazil?
In Brazil, donkey meat (HS 020500) is classified under NCM 0205.00.00.