Product classification
HS code for Dried herring: 0305.54
Dried herrings, anchovies, sardines, sardinella, brisling or sprats, mackerel (incl Indian, jack, or horse), seerfishes, jacks, crevalles, cobia, silver pomfrets, Pacific saury, scads, capelin, swordfish, Kawakawa, bonitos, marlins, sailfishes, spearfish.
Classification of dried herring under HS 0305.54
Dried herring is classified under HS code 0305.54 according to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1 and 6. Chapter 3 of the Harmonized System encompasses fish and crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates. Within this chapter, heading 0305 is specifically designated for fish that has been processed for preservation through drying, salting, or brining, as well as fish that has been smoked. Subheading 0305.54 is a specific nomenclature for dried herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii), anchovies, sardines, and several other related species. The classification is determined by the state of the product; it must be dried and not further prepared. If the fish were to be preserved in oil or vinegar, or placed in airtight containers for retail sale, it would likely be excluded from Chapter 3 and instead classified under Chapter 16. Furthermore, the distinction between 0305.54 and other subheadings in 0305 depends entirely on the species of the fish. For instance, dried cod is classified under 0305.51. The inclusion of multiple species under 0305.54, such as mackerel and swordfish, makes it a broad but specific category for these oily fish types when dried. The product must remain in its dried state without being cooked, although fish smoked before or during the drying process remains in heading 0305 but may fall under a different subheading if the smoking is the primary preservation method.
- Covers
- Dried Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus)
- Dried Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii)
- Dried anchovies (Engraulis spp.)
- Dried sardines and sardinella
- Dried brisling or sprats
- Dried mackerel (including Indian, jack, or horse mackerel)
- Dried swordfish and marlins
- Also under 0305.54
- Various Asian grocery brands (e.g., Hmart, 99 Ranch)
- Mediterranean specialty stores
- specific fishing village products
- bulk dried fish suppliers
Codes often confused with 0305.54
Common mistake. Dried herring is frequently confused with HS code 0305.59, which is the residual category for other dried fish not specifically named in the preceding subheadings. It is also often misclassified under 1604.12 if the herring has been prepared or preserved in ways other than simple drying, such as being canned in oil or marinated. Another common error involves 0305.41, which is specifically for smoked Pacific salmon; if herring is smoked, it must be checked against the specific smoking subheadings within 0305 rather than the purely dried subheadings.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030554 (the code used for dried herring), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030554 (the code used for dried herring) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Sri Lanka, with 65% 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 030554, not only dried herring.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $42M 35% of world exports
- 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$35M 29% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 South Korea $16M 13% of world exports
World total: $120M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Sri Lanka $53M 65% of world imports
- 2 United States $3.6M 4.5% of world imports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$2.7M 3.4% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $81M 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 dried herring
Brazil classifies dried herring under NCM 0305.54.00: HS 0305.54 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about dried herring
What is the HS code for Dried herring?
The HS code for Dried herring is 030554 (Dried herrings, anchovies, sardines, sardinella, brisling or sprats, mackerel (incl Indian, jack, or horse), seerfishes, jacks, crevalles, cobia, silver pomfrets, Pacific saury, scads, capelin, swordfish, Kawakawa, bonitos, marlins, sailfishes, spearfish). The HS code for dried herring is 0305.54, which also covers dried anchovies, sardines, and mackerel.
How do I classify Dried herring for customs?
Dried herring is classified under HS code 030554 — Dried herrings, anchovies, sardines, sardinella, brisling or sprats, mackerel (incl Indian, jack, or horse), seerfishes, jacks, crevalles, cobia, silver pomfrets, Pacific saury, scads, capelin, swordfish, Kawakawa, bonitos, marlins, sailfishes, spearfish. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include salted herring?
If the herring is only salted but not dried, it falls under 0305.61. HS code 0305.54 is specifically for the dried version of the fish.
Which countries are the top exporters of dried herring (HS 030554)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030554 (the code used for dried herring) in UN Comtrade data were China ($42M, 35% of world exports), the United Arab Emirates (about $35M) and South Korea ($16M). World exports came to about $120M, 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 dried herring (HS 030554)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030554 (the code used for dried herring) in UN Comtrade data were Sri Lanka ($53M, 65% of world imports), the United States ($3.6M) and Taiwan (about $2.7M). World imports came to about $81M, 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 Dried herring the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030554 for Dried herring 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 dried herring in Brazil?
In Brazil, dried herring (HS 030554) is classified under NCM 0305.54.00.