Product classification
HS code for Fresh bluefin tuna: 0302.35
Fish, fresh or chilled, Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tunas (Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus orientalis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.
Classification of fresh bluefin tuna under HS 0302.35
The classification of fresh bluefin tuna under HS code 030235 is strictly governed by the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) of the Harmonized System. This specific code is reserved for Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis). The primary criteria for this classification are the species and the state of preservation. To fall under 030235, the fish must be fresh or chilled. Chilling refers to the process of lowering the temperature of the fish to approximately 0°C without freezing it. This preservation method is critical because once the fish is frozen, it must be classified under heading 0303. Furthermore, this code applies only to whole fish, or fish that have been headed, gutted, or had their fins removed. It explicitly excludes fish that has been further processed into fillets or minced meat, which are classified under heading 0304. The distinction is vital for international trade as bluefin tuna is a high-value species subject to various conservation measures and quotas managed by organizations like ICCAT. Accurate classification ensures that trade data is reliable and that importers comply with specific documentation requirements, such as catch certificates.
- Covers
- Fresh Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)
- Chilled Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis)
- Whole fresh bluefin tuna
- Gilled and gutted fresh bluefin tuna
- Headed and gutted fresh bluefin tuna
- Also under 0302.35
- Hon Maguro (Japanese Bluefin)
- Balfegó Bluefin Tuna
- Baja Aquafarms Bluefin
- Mediterranean Bluefin
Codes often confused with 0302.35
Common mistake. Fresh bluefin tuna is frequently misclassified with other tuna species or different product forms. A common error is using HS code 030239, which is a basket category for other tunas not specifically named elsewhere. This occurs when the specific species is not clearly identified. Another frequent mistake is using 030236, which is specifically for Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii). While they are all bluefin, the HS system distinguishes them biologically. Additionally, if the tuna has been sliced into fillets, it must be moved to 030449, even if it is fresh. Confusing fresh tuna (0302) with frozen tuna (0303) is also a common clerical error.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030235 (the code used for fresh bluefin tuna), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030235 (the code used for fresh bluefin tuna) in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 46% 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 030235, not only fresh bluefin tuna.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Spain $108M 28% of world exports
- 2 Türkiye $66M 17% of world exports
- 3 Croatia $53M 14% of world exports
World total: $383M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $144M 46% of world imports
- 2 China $36M 11% of world imports
- 3 Japan $30M 9.7% of world imports
World total: $315M 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 fresh bluefin tuna
Brazil classifies fresh bluefin tuna under NCM 0302.35.00: HS 0302.35 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fresh bluefin tuna
What is the HS code for Fresh bluefin tuna?
The HS code for Fresh bluefin tuna is 030235 (Fish; fresh or chilled, Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tunas (Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus orientalis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99). The HS code for fresh or chilled Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna is 030235.
How do I classify Fresh bluefin tuna for customs?
Fresh bluefin tuna is classified under HS code 030235 — Fish; fresh or chilled, Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tunas (Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus orientalis), 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.
Does this code include Southern bluefin tuna?
No, Southern bluefin tuna is classified under HS code 030236, as it is a different species (Thunnus maccoyii).
Which countries are the top exporters of fresh bluefin tuna (HS 030235)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030235 (the code used for fresh bluefin tuna) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($108M, 28% of world exports), Türkiye ($66M) and Croatia ($53M). World exports came to about $383M, 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 bluefin tuna (HS 030235)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030235 (the code used for fresh bluefin tuna) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($144M, 46% of world imports), China ($36M) and Japan ($30M). World imports came to about $315M, 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 bluefin tuna the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030235 for Fresh bluefin tuna 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 bluefin tuna in Brazil?
In Brazil, fresh bluefin tuna (HS 030235) is classified under NCM 0302.35.00.