Product classification
HS code for Fresh pork ham: 0203.12
Meat, of swine, hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, with bone in, fresh or chilled.
Classification of fresh pork ham under HS 0203.12
Fresh pork ham is classified under HS code 0203.12, which specifically covers meat of swine, hams, shoulders, and cuts thereof, with the bone in, fresh or chilled. This classification is determined by General Rule of Interpretation (GRI) 1, which dictates that classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Chapter 2 of the Harmonized System is dedicated to meat and edible meat offal. Within heading 0203, the system distinguishes between fresh or chilled meat (0203.1x) and frozen meat (0203.2x). The subheading 0203.12 is precise in its requirement that the cut must be a ham or shoulder and must retain the bone. The term 'fresh' refers to meat that has undergone no preservation process other than chilling to maintain a temperature generally between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius. The inclusion of the bone is a primary diagnostic feature; once the bone is removed, the product no longer meets the criteria for 0203.12 and must be classified elsewhere. This level of specificity allows customs authorities to apply appropriate tariffs and monitor trade volumes of specific porcine cuts, which are often subject to different trade agreements or quotas than generic pork meat.
- Covers
- Fresh whole bone-in hams
- Chilled pork shoulders with bone
- Fresh bone-in leg cuts of swine
- Chilled picnic shoulders (bone-in)
- Fresh ham primals with internal skeletal structure intact
- Also under 0203.12
- Spanish bone-in Serrano ham (uncured)
- Italian Prosciutto di Parma (uncured)
- US fresh bone-in pork shoulder
- Danish Crown fresh bone-in ham
Codes often confused with 0203.12
Common mistake. A frequent error involves confusing 0203.12 with 0203.19. While 0203.19 covers 'other' fresh or chilled pork, it is specifically for boneless cuts. If a ham is deboned, it must move to 0203.19. Additionally, 0203.22 is often mistakenly used; however, this code is strictly for frozen bone-in hams. Another common confusion arises with HS code 0210.11, which covers hams and shoulders that have been salted, in brine, dried, or smoked. If the pork has been cured in any way, it leaves heading 0203 entirely.
Top exporters and importers of HS 020312 (the code used for fresh pork ham), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 020312 (the code used for fresh pork ham) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Mexico, 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 020312, not only fresh pork ham.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $1.9B 35% of world exports
- 2 Denmark $757M 14% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $743M 14% of world exports
World total: $5.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Mexico $2.8B 46% of world imports
- 2 Italy $1.5B 24% of world imports
- 3 Poland $467M 7.6% of world imports
World total: $6.2B 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 pork ham
Brazil classifies fresh pork ham under NCM 0203.12.00: HS 0203.12 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fresh pork ham
What is the HS code for Fresh pork ham?
The HS code for Fresh pork ham is 020312 (Meat; of swine, hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, with bone in, fresh or chilled). The HS code for fresh or chilled pork ham with the bone in is 0203.12.
How do I classify Fresh pork ham for customs?
Fresh pork ham is classified under HS code 020312 — Meat; of swine, hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, with bone in, fresh or chilled. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include frozen ham?
No, frozen bone-in hams are classified under HS code 0203.22. Code 0203.12 is strictly for fresh or chilled products.
Which countries are the top exporters of fresh pork ham (HS 020312)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 020312 (the code used for fresh pork ham) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.9B, 35% of world exports), Denmark ($757M) and the Netherlands ($743M). World exports came to about $5.3B, 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 pork ham (HS 020312)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 020312 (the code used for fresh pork ham) in UN Comtrade data were Mexico ($2.8B, 46% of world imports), Italy ($1.5B) and Poland ($467M). World imports came to about $6.2B, 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 pork ham the same in all countries?
The base HS code 020312 for Fresh pork ham 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 pork ham in Brazil?
In Brazil, fresh pork ham (HS 020312) is classified under NCM 0203.12.00.