Product classification
HS code for Fish roe substitute: 1604.32
Fish preparations, caviar substitutes, prepared from fish eggs.
Classification of fish roe substitute under HS 1604.32
Fish roe substitutes are classified under HS code 1604.32. This classification is governed by the specific structure of heading 1604, which distinguishes between prepared fish, caviar, and caviar substitutes. While caviar itself (the roe of the sturgeon) is classified under 1604.31, all other prepared fish eggs intended for consumption as a caviar alternative fall under 1604.32. To qualify for this code, the roe must be prepared or preserved—typically through salting, drying, smoking, or the addition of flavorings and colorants. The Harmonized System Explanatory Notes clarify that caviar substitutes are products consumed like caviar but prepared from the eggs of fish other than sturgeon (e.g., salmon, carp, pike, tuna, or lumpfish). These products are often washed, cleaned of adherent organs, salted, and sometimes pressed or dried. The classification is based on the biological origin of the eggs and the subsequent processing that makes them a prepared foodstuff rather than a raw agricultural product.
- Covers
- Lumpfish roe (dyed and salted)
- Salmon roe (Ikura), prepared or preserved
- Capelin roe (Masago), seasoned
- Flying fish roe (Tobiko), processed
- Cod roe, salted or smoked
- Pollock roe, prepared
- Also under 1604.32
- Romanoff Red Lumpfish Caviar
- Roland Black Lumpfish Caviar
- Sanniti Salmon Roe
- Tobiko (various brands)
- Masago (various brands)
- Tsar Nicoulai Trout Roe
Codes often confused with 1604.32
Common mistake. A common misclassification occurs with HS code 1604.31, which is strictly reserved for caviar obtained from the sturgeon species. Importers often confuse the two when dealing with high-end roe. Additionally, raw or simply frozen fish roe should be classified in Chapter 3 (e.g., 0302.91, 0303.91, or 0305.20) depending on its state. If the roe is not prepared (i.e., only chilled or frozen), it does not belong in 1604.32. Furthermore, 'vegan caviar' made from seaweed or algae is classified under 2106.90 as a food preparation not elsewhere specified.
Top exporters and importers of HS 160432 (the code used for fish roe substitute), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 160432 (the code used for fish roe substitute) in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.6% 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 160432, not only fish roe substitute.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Japan $69M 19% of world exports
- 2 China $47M 13% of world exports
- 3 Germany $46M 13% of world exports
World total: $357M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $32M 9.6% of world imports
- 2 France $32M 9.6% of world imports
- 3 Germany $27M 8.2% of world imports
World total: $331M 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 fish roe substitute
Brazil classifies fish roe substitute under NCM 1604.32.00: HS 1604.32 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fish roe substitute
What is the HS code for Fish roe substitute?
The HS code for Fish roe substitute is 160432 (Fish preparations; caviar substitutes, prepared from fish eggs). The HS code for fish roe substitute is 1604.32, which specifically covers caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs.
How do I classify Fish roe substitute for customs?
Fish roe substitute is classified under HS code 160432 — Fish preparations; caviar substitutes, prepared from fish eggs. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is salmon roe considered a caviar substitute?
Yes, for HS classification purposes, salmon roe is classified as a caviar substitute under 1604.32 because it is not derived from sturgeon.
Which countries are the top exporters of fish roe substitute (HS 160432)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 160432 (the code used for fish roe substitute) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($69M, 19% of world exports), China ($47M) and Germany ($46M). World exports came to about $357M, 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 roe substitute (HS 160432)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 160432 (the code used for fish roe substitute) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($32M, 9.6% of world imports), France ($32M) and Germany ($27M). World imports came to about $331M, 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 roe substitute the same in all countries?
The base HS code 160432 for Fish roe substitute 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 roe substitute in Brazil?
In Brazil, fish roe substitute (HS 160432) is classified under NCM 1604.32.00.