Product classification
HS code for Fresh plaice: 0302.22
Fish, fresh or chilled, plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.
Classification of fresh plaice under HS 0302.22
HS code 0302.22 is specifically assigned to fresh or chilled plaice (Pleuronectes platessa). This classification is part of Chapter 3, which covers fish and crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates. Heading 0302 includes fish, fresh or chilled, but excludes fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304. Plaice is a flatfish, and subheading 0302.22 is reserved for this specific species. The classification requires the fish to be in a fresh or chilled state, meaning it has not been frozen. Chilling is the process of lowering the temperature of the fish to near 0°C, often using ice, to maintain its freshness during transport. This code applies to whole fish or fish that have been gutted and headed, provided they have not been filleted. The distinction between whole fish and fillets is a common point of confusion in fish classification, as fillets are classified under a different heading entirely. Accurate classification under 0302.22 is vital for meeting veterinary inspection requirements and applying the appropriate fishery-specific tariff rates.
- Covers
- Whole fresh plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)
- Chilled plaice, gutted and headed
- Fresh plaice on ice for retail sale
- Also under 0302.22
- Parlevliet & Van der Plas
- Cornelis Vrolijk
- UK Seafish
- Danish Fishermen's Producer Organisation
Codes often confused with 0302.22
Common mistake. Plaice is frequently misclassified under 0302.21, which is for halibut, or 0302.23, which is for sole. It is also common to see plaice fillets incorrectly placed here; however, all fish fillets, whether fresh or chilled, belong in heading 0304. If the plaice is frozen, it must be classified under 0303.32 rather than 0302.22.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030222 (the code used for fresh plaice), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030222 (the code used for fresh plaice) in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 47% 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 030222, not only fresh plaice.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Netherlands $26M 37% of world exports
- 2 Iceland $17M 23% of world exports
- 3 Denmark $12M 17% of world exports
World total: $71M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $28M 47% of world imports
- 2 Denmark $9.5M 16% of world imports
- 3 Germany $4.3M 7.2% of world imports
World total: $61M 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 plaice
Brazil classifies fresh plaice under NCM 0302.22.00: HS 0302.22 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fresh plaice
What is the HS code for Fresh plaice?
The HS code for Fresh plaice is 030222 (Fish; fresh or chilled, plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99). The HS code for fresh or chilled plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) is 0302.22.
How do I classify Fresh plaice for customs?
Fresh plaice is classified under HS code 030222 — Fish; fresh or chilled, plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), 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 plaice fillets?
No, HS code 0302.22 only covers whole or headed/gutted fish. Fillets are classified under heading 0304.
Which countries are the top exporters of fresh plaice (HS 030222)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030222 (the code used for fresh plaice) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($26M, 37% of world exports), Iceland ($17M) and Denmark ($12M). World exports came to about $71M, 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 plaice (HS 030222)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030222 (the code used for fresh plaice) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($28M, 47% of world imports), Denmark ($9.5M) and Germany ($4.3M). World imports came to about $61M, 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 plaice the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030222 for Fresh plaice 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 plaice in Brazil?
In Brazil, fresh plaice (HS 030222) is classified under NCM 0302.22.00.