Product classification

HS code for Fresh blue whiting: 0302.56

Fish, fresh or chilled, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis),excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.

Classification of fresh blue whiting under HS 0302.56

Fresh or chilled blue whiting is classified under HS code 0302.56. This is in Chapter 3 (Fish) and Heading 0302 (Fresh or chilled fish). The 0302.5x subheadings are for fish of the families Gadidae and related cod-like species. Subheading 0302.56 specifically identifies Blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou and Micromesistius australis). To be classified here, the fish must be whole or basic processed (gutted/headed) but not filleted. Fillets, even if fresh, fall under Heading 0304. The 'fresh or chilled' requirement means the fish is kept at low temperatures to prevent spoilage without being frozen. This species-specific code is vital for marine resource management, as blue whiting is a major commercial species. Precision in this code helps enforce fishing quotas and monitor the sustainability of global fish stocks.

Covers
  • Whole fresh blue whiting
  • Chilled blue whiting (gutted)
  • Headed and gutted fresh blue whiting
  • Southern blue whiting (fresh)
  • Northern blue whiting (chilled)
Also under 0302.56
  • Fresh North Atlantic Blue Whiting
  • Chilled Patagonian Blue Whiting.

Codes often confused with 0302.56

Common mistake. Common errors include using 0303.68 for frozen blue whiting or 0304.44 for fresh fillets. If the fish is dried or salted, it moves to Heading 0305. Using a general 'other fish' code like 0302.89 is also an error because blue whiting has its own specific subheading.

0303.68Fish; frozen, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.990304.44Fish fillets; fresh or chilled, of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae, and Muraenolepididae03.05Fish, dried, salted or in brine; smoked fish, whether or not cooked before, or during the smoking process0302.89Fish; fresh or chilled, n.e.c. in heading 0302, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99

Top exporters and importers of HS 030256 (the code used for fresh blue whiting), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030256 (the code used for fresh blue whiting) in UN Comtrade data was the Faroe Islands, with about 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Nigeria, with 43% 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 030256, not only fresh blue whiting.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Faroe Islands* ~$22M
  2. 2 Russia* ~$10M
  3. 3 Greenland* ~$6.5M

World total: $53M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Nigeria $51M
  2. 2 Denmark $31M
  3. 3 Norway $18M

World total: $118M 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 fresh blue whiting

Brazil classifies fresh blue whiting under NCM 0302.56.00: HS 0302.56 with 00 added.

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

Questions about fresh blue whiting

What is the HS code for Fresh blue whiting?

The HS code for Fresh blue whiting is 030256 (Fish; fresh or chilled, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis),excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99). The HS code for fresh or chilled blue whiting (Micromesistius species) is 0302.56.

How do I classify Fresh blue whiting for customs?

Fresh blue whiting is classified under HS code 030256 — Fish; fresh or chilled, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis),excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Are blue whiting fillets covered by this code?

No, all fish fillets, regardless of species, are classified under Heading 0304. Fresh blue whiting fillets would typically fall under 0304.44.

Which countries are the top exporters of fresh blue whiting (HS 030256)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030256 (the code used for fresh blue whiting) in UN Comtrade data were the Faroe Islands (about $22M, 42% of world exports), Russia (about $10M) and Greenland (about $6.5M). World exports came to about $53M, 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 fresh blue whiting (HS 030256)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 030256 (the code used for fresh blue whiting) in UN Comtrade data were Nigeria ($51M, 43% of world imports), Denmark ($31M) and Norway ($18M). World imports came to about $118M, 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 Fresh blue whiting the same in all countries?

The base HS code 030256 for Fresh blue whiting 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 fresh blue whiting in Brazil?

In Brazil, fresh blue whiting (HS 030256) is classified under NCM 0302.56.00.