Product classification
HS code for Fresh turbot: 0302.24
Fish, fresh or chilled, turbots (Psetta maxima, Scophthalmidae), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.
Classification of fresh turbot under HS 0302.24
The classification of fresh turbot under HS code 0302.24 is strictly governed by the General Interpretative Rules (GIR) of the Harmonized System. Specifically, GIR 1 dictates that classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Chapter 3 covers fish and crustaceans, and heading 0302 is dedicated to fish, fresh or chilled, excluding fillets and other fish meat. The subheading 0302.24 is species-specific for Psetta maxima, a flatfish known for its asymmetrical body and high culinary value. To be classified here, the turbot must be in a fresh or chilled state. Chilling implies the product has been cooled to a temperature generally around 0°C (32°F) without being frozen. This state is often maintained using ice or mechanical refrigeration during transport. If the fish undergoes a freezing process that results in the formation of ice crystals throughout the tissue, it must be reclassified under heading 0303. Furthermore, this code applies to whole fish or fish that have been gutted or had the gills removed. If the fish is processed into fillets—defined as the strips of meat cut parallel to the backbone—it falls under heading 0304. Accurate classification is critical for adhering to international trade regulations, including sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and species-specific quotas.
- Covers
- Whole fresh turbot (Psetta maxima)
- Chilled turbot presented on ice
- Gutted fresh turbot with head and tail intact
- Fresh turbot with gills removed
- Also under 0302.24
- Stolt Sea Farm
- Acuicultura del Atlántico (ACUINOR)
- Prodemar
- Andromeda Group
Codes often confused with 0302.24
Common mistake. Fresh turbot is frequently confused with other flatfish species. For instance, Atlantic halibut is classified under 0302.21, European plaice under 0302.22, and sole under 0302.23. Additionally, if the turbot is frozen, it must be moved to 0303.34. Another common error is using 0302.24 for fillets, which actually belong under 0304.43.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030224 (the code used for fresh turbot), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030224 (the code used for fresh turbot) in UN Comtrade data was Portugal, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 27% 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 030224, not only fresh turbot.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Portugal $53M 34% of world exports
- 2 Spain $51M 32% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $19M 12% of world exports
World total: $157M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Spain $39M 27% of world imports
- 2 Italy $36M 25% of world imports
- 3 France $15M 10% of world imports
World total: $145M 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 turbot
Brazil classifies fresh turbot under NCM 0302.24.00: HS 0302.24 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fresh turbot
What is the HS code for Fresh turbot?
The HS code for Fresh turbot is 030224 (Fish; fresh or chilled, turbots (Psetta maxima, Scophthalmidae), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99). The specific HS code for fresh or chilled turbot (Psetta maxima) is 0302.24.
How do I classify Fresh turbot for customs?
Fresh turbot is classified under HS code 030224 — Fish; fresh or chilled, turbots (Psetta maxima, Scophthalmidae), 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 frozen turbot?
No, frozen turbot is classified under HS code 0303.34; the 0302 heading is strictly for fresh or chilled products.
Which countries are the top exporters of fresh turbot (HS 030224)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030224 (the code used for fresh turbot) in UN Comtrade data were Portugal ($53M, 34% of world exports), Spain ($51M) and the Netherlands ($19M). World exports came to about $157M, 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 turbot (HS 030224)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030224 (the code used for fresh turbot) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($39M, 27% of world imports), Italy ($36M) and France ($15M). World imports came to about $145M, 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 turbot the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030224 for Fresh turbot 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 turbot in Brazil?
In Brazil, fresh turbot (HS 030224) is classified under NCM 0302.24.00.