Product classification
HS code for Fresh southern bluefin tuna: 0302.36
Fish, fresh or chilled, southern bluefin tunas (Thunnus maccoyii), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.
Classification of fresh southern bluefin tuna under HS 0302.36
The classification of Fresh Southern Bluefin Tuna under HS code 0302.36 is determined by its taxonomic identification and its state of preservation. Heading 0302 covers fresh or chilled fish, excluding fillets and other fish meat. Within the tuna category (subheadings 0302.31 through 0302.39), the Southern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) is specifically assigned to 0302.36. This distinction is critical because different species of bluefin tuna have separate codes; for example, Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tunas are classified under 0302.35. The product must be fresh or chilled, meaning it has not been frozen to a temperature of -18°C or below. The fish can be whole, headed, or gutted, but the presence of fillets would shift the classification to heading 0304. Accurate classification requires verification of the scientific name Thunnus maccoyii to ensure it is not confused with other Thunnus species that share similar physical characteristics but different geographical origins and market values.
- Covers
- Whole fresh Southern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)
- Chilled Southern Bluefin Tuna, gutted and gilled
- Fresh Southern Bluefin Tuna, headed and tailed
- Southern Bluefin Tuna stored on ice during transit
- Also under 0302.36
- Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna
- New Zealand SBT
- Kinki University Farmed SBT (Japan)
- Clean Seas SBT
Codes often confused with 0302.36
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs between Southern Bluefin Tuna (0302.36) and Atlantic/Pacific Bluefin Tuna (0302.35). Because these species are visually similar, customs authorities rely heavily on the scientific name and origin documentation. Another common error is classifying frozen tuna under this code; frozen Southern Bluefin Tuna belongs to 0303.46. Additionally, if the tuna is processed into fresh fillets, it should be classified under 0304.49, which covers 'other' fresh fish fillets, as there is no specific 0304 subheading for Southern Bluefin fillets.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030236 (the code used for fresh southern bluefin tuna), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030236 (the code used for fresh southern bluefin tuna) in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 63% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 58% 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 030236, not only fresh southern bluefin tuna.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Australia $9.3M 63% of world exports
- 2 New Zealand $3.8M 26% of world exports
- 3 South Africa $1.1M 7.3% of world exports
World total: $15M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $10M 58% of world imports
- 2 United States $3.9M 22% of world imports
- 3 China $1.9M 10% of world imports
World total: $18M 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 southern bluefin tuna
Brazil classifies fresh southern bluefin tuna under NCM 0302.36.00: HS 0302.36 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fresh southern bluefin tuna
What is the HS code for Fresh southern bluefin tuna?
The HS code for Fresh southern bluefin tuna is 030236 (Fish; fresh or chilled, southern bluefin tunas (Thunnus maccoyii), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99). The HS code for fresh or chilled Southern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) is 0302.36.
How do I classify Fresh southern bluefin tuna for customs?
Fresh southern bluefin tuna is classified under HS code 030236 — Fish; fresh or chilled, southern bluefin tunas (Thunnus maccoyii), 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.
How is this different from Atlantic Bluefin Tuna?
While both are bluefin tunas, Atlantic and Pacific Bluefin Tunas (Thunnus thynnus and Thunnus orientalis) are classified under HS code 0302.35, whereas Southern Bluefin is 0302.36.
Which countries are the top exporters of fresh southern bluefin tuna (HS 030236)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030236 (the code used for fresh southern bluefin tuna) in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($9.3M, 63% of world exports), New Zealand ($3.8M) and South Africa ($1.1M). World exports came to about $15M, 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 southern bluefin tuna (HS 030236)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030236 (the code used for fresh southern bluefin tuna) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($10M, 58% of world imports), the United States ($3.9M) and China ($1.9M). World imports came to about $18M, 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 southern bluefin tuna the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030236 for Fresh southern bluefin 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 southern bluefin tuna in Brazil?
In Brazil, fresh southern bluefin tuna (HS 030236) is classified under NCM 0302.36.00.