Product classification
HS code for Fish oil: 1504.20
Fats and oils and their fractions, of fish, (excluding liver-oils).
Classification of fish oil under HS 1504.20
Fish oil (excluding liver oil) is classified under HS code 1504.20. This classification is part of Chapter 15, which covers animal or vegetable fats and oils. Heading 1504 is dedicated to fats and oils and their fractions of fish or marine mammals. While 1504.10 is reserved for liver oils, 1504.20 covers all other fish fats and oils, typically referred to as fish body oils. These are generally obtained from the processing of oily fish species like anchovies, sardines, or salmon. The classification requires that the oil is not chemically modified. It can be crude or refined (neutralized, bleached, or deodorized), but if it undergoes processes like hydrogenation to harden the fat, it moves to heading 1516. This code is vital for the trade of bulk oils used in the manufacture of margarine, industrial coatings, or as a source of Omega-3 fatty acids in animal nutrition.
- Covers
- Crude fish body oil
- Refined salmon oil (not chemically modified)
- Sardine and anchovy oils
- Stearin and olein fractions of fish oil
- Menhaden oil
- Also under 1504.20
- TripleNine Fish Protein fish oil
- Omega Protein menhaden oil
- Copeinca fish oil
- Golden Omega fish oil
- Epax fish oil
Codes often confused with 1504.20
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is with HS code 1504.10 (fish liver oil). Importers must distinguish between oil extracted from the liver and oil extracted from the whole body or trimmings. Another error involves 1516.10, which is for animal fats and oils that have been hydrogenated or solidified. If the fish oil has been chemically altered to change its melting point, it must be moved from 1504.20 to 1516.10.
Top exporters and importers of HS 150420 (the code used for fish oil), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 150420 (the code used for fish oil) in UN Comtrade data was Peru, with about 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Norway, with 19% 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 150420, not only fish oil.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Peru* ~$625M 19% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Denmark $430M 13% of world exports
- 3 China $415M 13% of world exports
World total: $3.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Norway $621M 19% of world imports
- 2 China $514M 16% of world imports
- 3 Denmark $249M 7.6% of world imports
World total: $3.3B 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 fish oil
Brazil classifies fish oil under NCM 1504.20.00: HS 1504.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fish oil
What is the HS code for Fish oil?
The HS code for Fish oil is 150420 (Fats and oils and their fractions; of fish, (excluding liver-oils)). The HS code for fish fats and oils (excluding liver oils) and their fractions, not chemically modified, is 1504.20.
How do I classify Fish oil for customs?
Fish oil is classified under HS code 150420 — Fats and oils and their fractions; of fish, (excluding liver-oils). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is salmon oil classified under this code?
Yes, salmon oil extracted from the body of the fish is classified under 1504.20, provided it has not been chemically modified or prepared as a retail supplement.
Which countries are the top exporters of fish oil (HS 150420)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 150420 (the code used for fish oil) in UN Comtrade data were Peru (about $625M, 19% of world exports), Denmark ($430M) and China ($415M). World exports came to about $3.3B, 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 fish oil (HS 150420)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 150420 (the code used for fish oil) in UN Comtrade data were Norway ($621M, 19% of world imports), China ($514M) and Denmark ($249M). World imports came to about $3.3B, 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 Fish oil the same in all countries?
The base HS code 150420 for Fish oil 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 fish oil in Brazil?
In Brazil, fish oil (HS 150420) is classified under NCM 1504.20.00.