Product classification

HS code for Dried whitefish: 0305.53

Fish, dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, fish of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae and Muraenolepididae, other than cod.

Classification of dried whitefish under HS 0305.53

Dried whitefish, specifically from the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae, and Muraenolepididae, is classified under HS code 0305.53. This code is part of Chapter 3, which covers fish and aquatic invertebrates. Heading 0305 is dedicated to fish that is dried, salted, or in brine. Subheading 0305.53 is reserved for dried fish that is not smoked and does not consist of fillets or offal. This category includes popular whitefish species like hake, pollock, and haddock. A key distinction in this classification is the exclusion of cod (Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Gadus macrocephalus), which is classified under 0305.51. The fish must be dried to a point where it is preserved for transport and storage. The classification process requires identifying the biological family of the fish; for instance, members of the Gadidae family are specifically mentioned. If the fish were salted but not dried, or if it were smoked, it would fall under different subheadings within 0305. This code allows for the monitoring of specific whitefish stocks in international trade and ensures that non-cod species are correctly identified.

Covers
  • Dried pollock (family Gadidae)
  • Dried hake (family Merlucciidae)
  • Dried haddock (family Gadidae)
  • Dried whiting (family Gadidae)
  • Dried blue whiting
Also under 0305.53
  • Dried Alaskan Pollock
  • Dried Norwegian Haddock
  • Dried South African Hake
  • Dried Russian Pollock
  • Dried European Whiting

Codes often confused with 0305.53

Common mistake. The most common misclassification for dried whitefish is 0305.51, which is exclusively for dried cod. While cod is a whitefish and a member of the Gadidae family, the HS system provides a specific, higher-priority code for it. Another error is using 0305.59, which is the "other" category for dried fish. 0305.59 should only be used if the fish does not belong to the specific families listed under 0305.53 or 0305.54. Additionally, if the whitefish is dried as fillets, it must be moved to 0305.32 or 0305.39.

0305.51Fish; dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, other than edible fish offal, cod (Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Gadus macrocephalus)0305.59Fish; dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, other than edible fish offal, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.50305.54Dried 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, spearfish0305.32Fish fillets; dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked, of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae and Muraenolepididae0305.39Fish fillets; dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.3

Top exporters and importers of HS 030553 (the code used for dried whitefish), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030553 (the code used for dried whitefish) in UN Comtrade data was Norway, with 72% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 29% 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 030553, not only dried whitefish.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Norway $311M
  2. 2 Russia* ~$65M
  3. 3 China $23M

World total: $430M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 South Korea $84M
  2. 2 Brazil $77M
  3. 3 Congo* ~$55M

World total: $286M 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 codes for dried whitefish

Brazil splits HS 0305.53 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 0305.53.10Dried saithe, ling, tusk, haddock, etc. fish
  • 0305.53.90Other dried cod-like fish, excluding Gadus cod

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

Questions about dried whitefish

What is the HS code for Dried whitefish?

The HS code for Dried whitefish is 030553 (Fish; dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, fish of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae and Muraenolepididae, other than cod).

How do I classify Dried whitefish for customs?

Dried whitefish is classified under HS code 030553 — Fish; dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, fish of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae and Muraenolepididae, other than cod. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What is the HS code for dried whitefish like pollock?

Dried pollock is classified under HS code 0305.53 as it belongs to the Gadidae family.

Is dried cod included in HS code 0305.53?

No, dried cod is specifically classified under HS code 0305.51 and is excluded from 0305.53.

Which countries are the top exporters of dried whitefish (HS 030553)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030553 (the code used for dried whitefish) in UN Comtrade data were Norway ($311M, 72% of world exports), Russia (about $65M) and China ($23M). World exports came to about $430M, 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 whitefish (HS 030553)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 030553 (the code used for dried whitefish) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($84M, 29% of world imports), Brazil ($77M) and Congo (about $55M). World imports came to about $286M, 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 whitefish the same in all countries?

The base HS code 030553 for Dried whitefish 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 whitefish in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 030553 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for dried whitefish depends on the product's details: 0305.53.10 (Dried saithe, ling, tusk, haddock, etc. fish), 0305.53.90 (Other dried cod-like fish, excluding Gadus cod).