Product classification
HS code for Dried sardines: 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 sardines under HS 0305.54
HS code 0305.54 is designated for dried sardines, including related species like herrings, anchovies, and brisling. Chapter 3 of the Harmonized System encompasses fish and crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates. Heading 0305 specifically addresses fish that has been dried, salted, or in brine, as well as smoked fish. Subheading 0305.54 is reserved for dried fish of the specified families that have not been smoked. The drying process must be the primary method of preservation. This includes fish that may have been salted before or during the drying process, provided the salt does not change the essential character of the product as "dried fish." The classification remains in 0305.54 as long as the fish is not "prepared or preserved" in ways described in Chapter 16, such as being canned in oil, tomato sauce, or vinegar. The fish can be whole, headed, or gutted, but it must not be in fillet form if it is to stay within certain subheadings, though 0305.54 generally covers the species regardless of the cut, provided they are dried.
- Covers
- Sun-dried whole sardines
- Dehydrated sardinella
- Dried brisling or sprats
- Salted and subsequently dried sardines
- Dried anchovies (often used in Asian cuisine)
- 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 sardines are often misclassified under 1604.13, which is the code for sardines, sardinella, and brisling that are prepared or preserved (e.g., canned in oil). Another common error is 0305.44, which is for smoked sardines; smoking is a distinct process from drying in the HS nomenclature. If the sardines are fresh or chilled, they belong in 0302.43, and if frozen, they belong in 0303.53.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030554 (the code used for dried sardines), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030554 (the code used for dried sardines) 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 sardines.
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 sardines
Brazil classifies dried sardines 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 sardines
What is the HS code for Dried sardines?
The HS code for Dried sardines 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 sardines, anchovies, and herrings is 0305.54.
How do I classify Dried sardines for customs?
Dried sardines 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 sardines dried and then put in oil?
No, once sardines are preserved in oil, they are classified under HS code 1604.13 as prepared or preserved fish.
Which countries are the top exporters of dried sardines (HS 030554)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030554 (the code used for dried sardines) 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 sardines (HS 030554)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030554 (the code used for dried sardines) 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 sardines the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030554 for Dried sardines 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 sardines in Brazil?
In Brazil, dried sardines (HS 030554) is classified under NCM 0305.54.00.