Product classification
HS code for Fresh eels: 0302.74
Fish, fresh or chilled, eels (Anguilla spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.
Classification of fresh eels under HS 0302.74
The classification of fresh eels under HS code 0302.74 is determined by the biological genus and the physical state of the product. This specific code is reserved for eels belonging to the genus Anguilla, which includes species such as the European eel (Anguilla anguilla), the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica), and the American eel (Anguilla rostrata). To qualify for this heading, the fish must be presented in a fresh or chilled state. Under the Harmonized System's General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), 'fresh' refers to products that have not undergone any preservation process other than simple chilling to maintain a temperature near freezing without reaching a frozen state. This classification excludes eels that have been frozen, smoked, or processed into fillets, as those undergo different levels of transformation that shift them to other headings within Chapter 3. The whole or headed and gutted presentation is standard for this code, provided the meat remains attached to the skeletal structure.
- Covers
- Fresh European eels (Anguilla anguilla)
- Chilled Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica)
- Fresh American eels (Anguilla rostrata)
- Whole fresh eels, gutted and cleaned
- Chilled eels, headed but not filleted
- Also under 0302.74
- European Eel (Anguilla anguilla)
- Japanese Eel (Anguilla japonica)
- American Eel (Anguilla rostrata)
- New Zealand Longfin Eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii)
Codes often confused with 0302.74
Common mistake. Fresh eels are frequently misclassified under HS code 0301.92, which is specifically for live eels. If the eel is no longer living at the time of customs declaration, it must move to 0302.74. Another common error involves HS code 0303.26, which covers frozen eels; the distinction depends entirely on whether the product has been lowered below its freezing point. Furthermore, if the eel has been sliced into fillets, it must be classified under 0304.49 rather than 0302.74.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030274 (the code used for fresh eels), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030274 (the code used for fresh eels) in UN Comtrade data was Denmark, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 22% 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 030274, not only fresh eels.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Denmark $2.8M 24% of world exports
- 2 China $2.6M 23% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $1.9M 17% of world exports
World total: $11M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $1.6M 22% of world imports
- 2 Spain $1.4M 19% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $787K 11% of world imports
World total: $7.3M 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 eels
Brazil classifies fresh eels under NCM 0302.74.00: HS 0302.74 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fresh eels
What is the HS code for Fresh eels?
The HS code for Fresh eels is 030274 (Fish; fresh or chilled, eels (Anguilla spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99). The HS code for fresh or chilled eels of the genus Anguilla is 0302.74.
How do I classify Fresh eels for customs?
Fresh eels is classified under HS code 030274 — Fish; fresh or chilled, eels (Anguilla spp.), 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 smoked eels?
No, smoked eels are classified under HS code 0305.44, as smoking is considered a preservation process beyond simple chilling.
Which countries are the top exporters of fresh eels (HS 030274)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030274 (the code used for fresh eels) in UN Comtrade data were Denmark ($2.8M, 24% of world exports), China ($2.6M) and the Netherlands ($1.9M). World exports came to about $11M, 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 eels (HS 030274)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030274 (the code used for fresh eels) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.6M, 22% of world imports), Spain ($1.4M) and Belgium ($787K). World imports came to about $7.3M, 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 eels the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030274 for Fresh eels 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 eels in Brazil?
In Brazil, fresh eels (HS 030274) is classified under NCM 0302.74.00.