Product classification
HS code for Fish tails: 0305.72
Fish, edible offal, fish heads, tails and maws.
Classification of fish tails under HS 0305.72
Fish tails, when intended for human consumption and preserved by drying, salting, or smoking, are classified under HS code 0305.72. This code falls within Chapter 3, which covers fish and crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates. Specifically, heading 0305 covers fish that is dried, salted, or in brine, as well as smoked fish. Subheading 0305.72 is dedicated to 'edible fish offal,' which includes fish heads, tails, and maws. The classification is determined by the fact that these parts are considered offal rather than the main body meat (fillets) of the fish. To fall under this code, the tails must be prepared in a way that ensures preservation without being fully 'prepared' as a meal (which would move them to Chapter 16). The inclusion of tails in this category recognizes their use in specific culinary traditions, particularly for stocks, soups, or as dried snacks. The classification remains here regardless of whether the tails are sold separately or as part of a collection of edible offal.
- Covers
- Dried fish tails for soup stock
- Salted fish tails
- Smoked fish tails
- Dehydrated fish tails for human consumption
- Fish maws and heads (often grouped with tails)
- Also under 0305.72
- Dried Croaker Maws
- Frozen Salmon Heads for soup
- Cod Tails for stock
- Red Snapper Heads for curry.
Codes often confused with 0305.72
Common mistake. Fish tails are often misclassified under 0302 or 0303 if they are fresh or frozen; those codes are for whole fish or fillets in their raw state. Another frequent error is classification under 0511.91, which covers 'products of fish or crustaceans... unfit for human consumption.' If the tails are intended for pet food or industrial use and are not food-grade, they belong in 0511. Furthermore, shark fins have their own specific subheading (0305.71) and should never be classified under the general tails code of 0305.72.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030572 (the code used for fish tails), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030572 (the code used for fish tails) in UN Comtrade data was Hong Kong, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Hong Kong, with 34% 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 030572, not only fish tails.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Hong Kong $122M 24% of world exports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$82M 16% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Iceland $57M 11% of world exports
World total: $500M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Hong Kong $201M 34% of world imports
- 2 Macao $169M 29% of world imports
- 3 China $135M 23% of world imports
World total: $589M 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 tails
Brazil classifies fish tails under NCM 0305.72.00: HS 0305.72 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fish tails
What is the HS code for Fish tails?
The HS code for Fish tails is 030572 (Fish; edible offal, fish heads, tails and maws). The HS code for edible fish tails that are dried, salted, or smoked is 0305.72.
How do I classify Fish tails for customs?
Fish tails is classified under HS code 030572 — Fish; edible offal, fish heads, tails and maws. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are frozen fish tails classified here?
No, frozen fish tails are generally classified under 0303.99 as other edible fish offal, as 0305 is specifically for dried, salted, or smoked products.
Which countries are the top exporters of fish tails (HS 030572)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030572 (the code used for fish tails) in UN Comtrade data were Hong Kong ($122M, 24% of world exports), Vietnam (about $82M) and Iceland ($57M). World exports came to about $500M, 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 tails (HS 030572)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030572 (the code used for fish tails) in UN Comtrade data were Hong Kong ($201M, 34% of world imports), Macao ($169M) and China ($135M). World imports came to about $589M, 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 tails the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030572 for Fish tails 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 tails in Brazil?
In Brazil, fish tails (HS 030572) is classified under NCM 0305.72.00.