Product classification

HS code for Dried shark fins: 1604.18

Fish preparations, shark fins, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced).

Classification of dried shark fins under HS 1604.18

Dried shark fins are classified under HS code 1604.18 because they represent a fish preparation that has undergone processing beyond simple chilling or freezing. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) and the Explanatory Notes to Chapter 16, fish products that have been prepared or preserved by drying, salting, or in brine, and specifically those that have been further processed such as by removing the skin or cartilage, fall under heading 1604. While Chapter 3 covers fish in its raw state, the specific sub-heading 1604.18 was created to capture shark fins that have been prepared for culinary use, often involving a drying process that renders them shelf-stable. The classification depends on the degree of preparation; once the fins are cleaned, dried, or treated to preserve them for long-term storage or immediate cooking, they move from the raw category of Chapter 3 into the prepared category of Chapter 16.

Covers
  • Dried whole shark fins
  • Dried shark fin pieces
  • Prepared shark fins with skin removed
  • Salted and dried shark fins
  • Shark fin needles (processed)
Also under 1604.18
  • Dried Shark Fin (various unbranded)
  • Frozen Shark Fin (various unbranded)
  • Canned Shark Fin Soup (local Asian brands)
  • Prepared Shark Fin Strips (specialty suppliers)

Codes often confused with 1604.18

Common mistake. Dried shark fins are frequently misclassified under HS code 0305.71. While 0305 covers dried or salted fish, the specific preparation methods used for shark fins often push them into 1604.18. Additionally, fresh or chilled shark fins are classified under 0302.81, and frozen fins under 0303.81. Importers must distinguish between a simple raw product (Chapter 3) and a prepared product (Chapter 16). Misclassification often occurs when the importer assumes all dried fish products belong in Chapter 3, ignoring the specific provision for shark fin preparations in 1604.

0305.71Fish; edible offal, shark fins03.05Fish, dried, salted or in brine; smoked fish, whether or not cooked before, or during the smoking process0302.81Fish; fresh or chilled, dogfish and other sharks, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.990303.81Fish; frozen, dogfish and other sharks, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.9916.04Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs

Top exporters and importers of HS 160418 (the code used for dried shark fins), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 160418 (the code used for dried shark fins) in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 48% 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 160418, not only dried shark fins.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Vietnam* ~$795K
  2. 2 Singapore $741K
  3. 3 Indonesia $441K

World total: $3.0M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 South Korea $2.3M
  2. 2 Singapore $1.5M
  3. 3 Japan $552K

World total: $4.9M 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. 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 shark fins

Brazil classifies dried shark fins under NCM 1604.18.00: HS 1604.18 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about dried shark fins

What is the HS code for Dried shark fins?

The HS code for Dried shark fins is 160418 (Fish preparations; shark fins, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)). The primary HS code for prepared or preserved dried shark fins is 1604.18.

How do I classify Dried shark fins for customs?

Dried shark fins is classified under HS code 160418 — Fish preparations; shark fins, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code apply to shark fin soup?

No, shark fin soup that contains other ingredients or is a finished meal is typically classified under 2104.10 as a soup or broth preparation.

Which countries are the top exporters of dried shark fins (HS 160418)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 160418 (the code used for dried shark fins) in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $795K, 26% of world exports), Singapore ($741K) and Indonesia ($441K). World exports came to about $3.0M, 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 shark fins (HS 160418)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 160418 (the code used for dried shark fins) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($2.3M, 48% of world imports), Singapore ($1.5M) and Japan ($552K). World imports came to about $4.9M, 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 shark fins the same in all countries?

The base HS code 160418 for Dried shark fins 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 shark fins in Brazil?

In Brazil, dried shark fins (HS 160418) is classified under NCM 1604.18.00.