Product classification
HS code for Fresh toothfish meat: 0304.55
Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced, fresh or chilled, toothfish (Dissostichus spp.).
Classification of fresh toothfish meat under HS 0304.55
Fresh toothfish meat, excluding fillets, is classified under HS code 0304.55. This classification falls under Chapter 3 of the Harmonized System, which encompasses fish and aquatic invertebrates. Heading 0304 specifically addresses fish fillets and other fish meat. The distinction for 0304.55 lies in the physical form of the meat; it covers meat that has been separated from the bones but is not presented as a fillet. This typically includes minced fish, cheeks, collars, or small trimmings. The product must be in a fresh or chilled state, meaning it is maintained at a temperature near freezing but has not been subjected to the freezing process. Classification follows General Interpretative Rule 1, which prioritizes the heading and subheading descriptions. Because the product is toothfish (Dissostichus spp.) and is presented as meat rather than a fillet, it is specifically assigned to 0304.55. This code ensures that non-fillet meat is tracked separately from the more common fillet cuts, which is essential for trade statistics and conservation monitoring of toothfish species.
- Covers
- Fresh minced toothfish meat
- Chilled toothfish cheeks
- Fresh toothfish collars (meat only)
- Chilled toothfish trimmings and scrap meat
- Fresh toothfish belly flaps (not as fillets)
- Also under 0304.55
- Chilean Sea Bass (meat)
- Antarctic Toothfish (meat)
- Patagonian Toothfish (meat)
Codes often confused with 0304.55
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 0304.46, which is specifically for fresh toothfish fillets. If the meat is presented as a strip cut parallel to the spine, it must be classified as a fillet. Another error is using 0304.95, which is the code for frozen toothfish meat (excluding fillets). Additionally, whole fresh toothfish or fish that are merely headed and gutted should be classified under 0302.83. It is critical to distinguish between "meat" and "fillets" to ensure compliance with the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) documentation requirements often associated with this species.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030455 (the code used for fresh toothfish meat), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030455 (the code used for fresh toothfish meat) in UN Comtrade data was Denmark, with 89% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 56% 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 030455, not only fresh toothfish meat.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Denmark $261K 89% of world exports
- 2 Spain $28K 9.5% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$5K 1.7% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $295K Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $123K 56% of world imports
- 2 Greece $42K 19% of world imports
- 3 Germany $40K 18% of world imports
World total: $221K 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 toothfish meat
Brazil classifies fresh toothfish meat under NCM 0304.55.00: HS 0304.55 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fresh toothfish meat
What is the HS code for Fresh toothfish meat?
The HS code for Fresh toothfish meat is 030455 (Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; fresh or chilled, toothfish (Dissostichus spp.)). The HS code for fresh or chilled toothfish meat (excluding fillets) is 0304.55.
How do I classify Fresh toothfish meat for customs?
Fresh toothfish meat is classified under HS code 030455 — Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; fresh or chilled, toothfish (Dissostichus spp.). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is minced toothfish included in this code?
Yes, fresh or chilled minced toothfish is included under HS code 0304.55, as it constitutes fish meat that is not in fillet form.
Which countries are the top exporters of fresh toothfish meat (HS 030455)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030455 (the code used for fresh toothfish meat) in UN Comtrade data were Denmark ($261K, 89% of world exports), Spain ($28K) and Vietnam (about $5K). World exports came to about $295K, 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 toothfish meat (HS 030455)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030455 (the code used for fresh toothfish meat) in UN Comtrade data were France ($123K, 56% of world imports), Greece ($42K) and Germany ($40K). World imports came to about $221K, 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 toothfish meat the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030455 for Fresh toothfish meat 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 toothfish meat in Brazil?
In Brazil, fresh toothfish meat (HS 030455) is classified under NCM 0304.55.00.