Product classification
HS code for Fresh skipjack tuna: 0302.33
Fish, fresh or chilled, skipjack tuna (stripe-bellied bonito) (Katsuwonus pelamis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.
Classification of fresh skipjack tuna under HS 0302.33
Fresh skipjack tuna, scientifically known as Katsuwonus pelamis, is classified under HS code 0302.33. This classification is based on the species and the presentation of the fish. Heading 0302 covers fish, fresh or chilled, excluding fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304. Skipjack tuna is specifically identified at the six-digit level due to its immense importance in the global fishing industry and canning trade. For a product to qualify for 0302.33, it must be fresh or chilled, meaning it is kept at low temperatures but not frozen. The fish is typically presented whole, headed, or gutted. Skipjack is often distinguished from other tunas by its characteristic dark longitudinal stripes on the lower sides and belly. Because skipjack is a highly migratory species, its classification is closely monitored by regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) to ensure sustainable harvest levels and accurate trade statistics.
- Covers
- Whole fresh skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)
- Chilled skipjack tuna, gutted and headed
- Fresh stripe-bellied bonito (skipjack)
- Chilled skipjack tuna for immediate processing
- Also under 0302.33
- Tri Marine International (for sourcing)
- F.C.F. Fishery Co.
- Ltd. (for sourcing)
- various Indonesian and Philippine tuna fleets
- Bolton Group
Codes often confused with 0302.33
Common mistake. Skipjack tuna is most commonly misclassified under 0303.43, which is the code for frozen skipjack. Since much of the skipjack trade for canning involves frozen fish, this is a frequent error. It may also be confused with 0302.32 (fresh yellowfin tuna) or 0302.31 (fresh albacore). If the skipjack is filleted, it must be classified under 0304.44 (fresh tuna fillets) rather than 0302.33.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030233 (the code used for fresh skipjack tuna), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030233 (the code used for fresh skipjack tuna) in UN Comtrade data was Portugal, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Ghana, with 59% 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 030233, not only fresh skipjack tuna.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Portugal $3.5M 31% of world exports
- 2 Spain $2.5M 22% of world exports
- 3 Sri Lanka $1.5M 14% of world exports
World total: $11M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Ghana $13M 59% of world imports
- 2 France $1.7M 7.6% of world imports
- 3 Portugal $1.3M 5.9% of world imports
World total: $22M 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 skipjack tuna
Brazil classifies fresh skipjack tuna under NCM 0302.33.00: HS 0302.33 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fresh skipjack tuna
What is the HS code for Fresh skipjack tuna?
The HS code for Fresh skipjack tuna is 030233 (Fish; fresh or chilled, skipjack tuna (stripe-bellied bonito) (Katsuwonus pelamis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99). The HS code for fresh or chilled skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is 0302.33.
How do I classify Fresh skipjack tuna for customs?
Fresh skipjack tuna is classified under HS code 030233 — Fish; fresh or chilled, skipjack tuna (stripe-bellied bonito) (Katsuwonus pelamis), 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.
Can this code be used for skipjack fillets?
No, fillets are classified under heading 0304. HS code 0302.33 is only for whole fish or fish that has been headed or gutted.
Which countries are the top exporters of fresh skipjack tuna (HS 030233)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030233 (the code used for fresh skipjack tuna) in UN Comtrade data were Portugal ($3.5M, 31% of world exports), Spain ($2.5M) and Sri Lanka ($1.5M). 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 skipjack tuna (HS 030233)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030233 (the code used for fresh skipjack tuna) in UN Comtrade data were Ghana ($13M, 59% of world imports), France ($1.7M) and Portugal ($1.3M). World imports came to about $22M, 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 skipjack tuna the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030233 for Fresh skipjack 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 skipjack tuna in Brazil?
In Brazil, fresh skipjack tuna (HS 030233) is classified under NCM 0302.33.00.