Product classification
HS code for Fresh hake: 0302.54
Fish, fresh or chilled, hake (Merluccius spp., Urophycis spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.
Classification of fresh hake under HS 0302.54
Fresh hake is classified under HS code 0302.54. This classification is found within Chapter 3 of the Harmonized System, which is dedicated to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Heading 0302 is reserved for fish that are fresh or chilled, excluding fillets. The subheading 0302.54 specifically covers hake belonging to the genera Merluccius and Urophycis. This includes a wide variety of species traded globally, such as European hake, Argentine hake, and Cape hake. The classification criteria require the fish to be in a fresh or chilled state, typically preserved using ice or refrigerated seawater systems. The term “chilled” implies that the product has been cooled to a temperature near freezing but has not undergone the physiological changes associated with freezing. This code applies to the fish in its whole form, or after basic primary processing such as gutting or heading. It does not include fish that has been frozen, dried, salted, or smoked. The precise biological identification of the genus is critical for this code, as other fish often referred to as “hake” in local markets might belong to different genera and thus require different HS codes. Accurate classification is essential for monitoring trade volumes and ensuring compliance with regional fishing quotas and sustainability regulations.
- Covers
- Fresh Merluccius spp. (e.g., European hake)
- Fresh Urophycis spp. (e.g., White hake)
- Chilled whole hake
- Gutted and headed fresh hake
- Also under 0302.54
- Fresh Merluza (European Hake)
- Chilled Cape Hake
- Fresh Pacific Whiting.
Codes often confused with 0302.54
Common mistake. Fresh hake is often misclassified as frozen hake, which is found under HS code 0303.54. Additionally, hake fillets, even when fresh, must be classified under heading 0304, specifically 0304.74 for frozen fillets or 0304.44 for fresh/chilled fillets. Confusion can also arise with other members of the Gadiformes order, such as whiting or pollock, which have their own specific subheadings under 0302.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030254 (the code used for fresh hake), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030254 (the code used for fresh hake) in UN Comtrade data was Denmark, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 69% 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 030254, not only fresh hake.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Denmark $30M 20% of world exports
- 2 Spain $28M 19% of world exports
- 3 France $22M 15% of world exports
World total: $150M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Spain $155M 69% of world imports
- 2 Portugal $20M 9.0% of world imports
- 3 France $14M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $226M 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 hake
Brazil classifies fresh hake under NCM 0302.54.00: HS 0302.54 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fresh hake
What is the HS code for Fresh hake?
The HS code for Fresh hake is 030254 (Fish; fresh or chilled, hake (Merluccius spp., Urophycis 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 hake (whole or gutted) is 0302.54.
How do I classify Fresh hake for customs?
Fresh hake is classified under HS code 030254 — Fish; fresh or chilled, hake (Merluccius spp., Urophycis 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 cover all species of hake?
It covers species within the genera Merluccius and Urophycis. Other species might fall under different subheadings within Chapter 3.
Which countries are the top exporters of fresh hake (HS 030254)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030254 (the code used for fresh hake) in UN Comtrade data were Denmark ($30M, 20% of world exports), Spain ($28M) and France ($22M). World exports came to about $150M, 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 hake (HS 030254)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030254 (the code used for fresh hake) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($155M, 69% of world imports), Portugal ($20M) and France ($14M). World imports came to about $226M, 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 hake the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030254 for Fresh hake 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 hake in Brazil?
In Brazil, fresh hake (HS 030254) is classified under NCM 0302.54.00.