Product classification
HS code for Dried tilapia fillets: 0305.31
Fish fillets, dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads.
Classification of dried tilapia fillets under HS 0305.31
Dried tilapia fillets are classified under HS code 0305.31. This classification is situated within Chapter 3 of the Harmonized System, which encompasses fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates. Heading 0305 specifically addresses fish that has been preserved through drying, salting, or immersion in brine, provided that the fish has not been smoked. The subheading 0305.31 is a specific designation for fish fillets that are dried, salted, or in brine, but not smoked, belonging to a defined group of species. This group includes tilapia (Oreochromis spp.), catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. To be classified here, the product must consist of fillets—the longitudinal slices of fish flesh—rather than the whole fish. The drying process must be the primary method of preservation, and the absence of smoking is a critical determinant for this specific code. If the fillets were smoked, they would be reclassified under 0305.44. This level of specificity helps customs authorities track trade volumes of specific aquaculture species and ensures appropriate tariff application based on the level of processing and the biological species involved.
- Covers
- Dried tilapia fillets (Oreochromis spp.)
- Salted tilapia fillets, not smoked
- Tilapia fillets preserved in brine, not smoked
- Dehydrated tilapia strips
- Sun-dried tilapia fillets
- Also under 0305.31
- Dried salted tilapia from Africa
- Vietnamese dried catfish fillets
- traditional European salted carp
- dried eel snacks in Asia
- cured Nile perch fillets.
Codes often confused with 0305.31
Common mistake. A frequent error involves confusing 0305.31 with 0305.44. The latter code is specifically for smoked tilapia fillets. If the product has undergone any smoking process, even if it is also dried or salted, it must be classified under 0305.44. Another common mistake is using 0304.61, which is reserved for frozen tilapia fillets. HS code 0305.31 is strictly for dried or salted products that are shelf-stable without refrigeration. Additionally, whole dried tilapia (not filleted) should be classified under 0305.59 or 0305.64 depending on the salt content and species, rather than 0305.31.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030531 (the code used for dried tilapia fillets), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030531 (the code used for dried tilapia fillets) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 59% 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 030531, not only dried tilapia fillets.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $548K 19% of world exports
- 2 United States $491K 17% of world exports
- 3 South Africa $436K 15% of world exports
World total: $2.9M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $4.5M 59% of world imports
- 2 Italy $855K 11% of world imports
- 3 Uganda $348K 4.5% of world imports
World total: $7.7M 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 dried tilapia fillets
Brazil classifies dried tilapia fillets under NCM 0305.31.00: HS 0305.31 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about dried tilapia fillets
What is the HS code for Dried tilapia fillets?
The HS code for Dried tilapia fillets is 030531 (Fish fillets; dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads). The HS code for dried tilapia fillets is 0305.31, provided they are not smoked.
How do I classify Dried tilapia fillets for customs?
Dried tilapia fillets is classified under HS code 030531 — Fish fillets; dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can salted tilapia fillets be classified under this code?
Yes, fillets that are salted or in brine fall under 0305.31, as long as they are not smoked and belong to the tilapia species.
Which countries are the top exporters of dried tilapia fillets (HS 030531)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030531 (the code used for dried tilapia fillets) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($548K, 19% of world exports), the United States ($491K) and South Africa ($436K). World exports came to about $2.9M, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of dried tilapia fillets (HS 030531)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030531 (the code used for dried tilapia fillets) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($4.5M, 59% of world imports), Italy ($855K) and Uganda ($348K). World imports came to about $7.7M, 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 tilapia fillets the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030531 for Dried tilapia fillets 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 tilapia fillets in Brazil?
In Brazil, dried tilapia fillets (HS 030531) is classified under NCM 0305.31.00.