Product classification
HS code for Fresh yellowfin tuna: 0302.32
Fish, fresh or chilled, yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99.
Classification of fresh yellowfin tuna under HS 0302.32
HS code 0302.32 is the international standard for classifying fresh or chilled yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). This code is found in Chapter 3, which covers fish and crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates. Heading 0302 specifically deals with fish that are fresh or chilled, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304. The subheading 0302.32 is exclusive to the yellowfin species. For a product to be classified here, it must be presented whole or "dressed" (gutted and headed) but not filleted. The distinction between fresh/chilled (0302) and frozen (0303) is a primary factor in HS classification. Yellowfin tuna is often used in the high-end sashimi market, where the "fresh" designation is paramount. If the fish is frozen at sea or in a processing facility, it must be moved to 0303.42. Furthermore, if the fish is cut into steaks or fillets, it falls under 0304.49. The classification requires the fish to be maintained at a temperature near 0 degrees Celsius without actually freezing the tissue, which preserves the texture and quality required for specific culinary applications.
- Covers
- Whole fresh yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)
- Chilled yellowfin tuna, gutted and headed
- Fresh yellowfin tuna with gills removed
- Yellowfin tuna on ice (not frozen)
- Also under 0302.32
- Thai Union Group (for sourcing)
- Dongwon Industries (for sourcing)
- various Japanese and Spanish tuna fleets
- Hawaiian Fresh Seafood
Codes often confused with 0302.32
Common mistake. Yellowfin tuna is frequently misclassified under 0303.42, which is the code for frozen yellowfin tuna. This is a critical distinction for customs valuation and health inspections. Another common error is using 0302.31, which is for Albacore or longfinned tunas, or 0302.33, which is for Skipjack tuna. Because these species can look similar when dressed, biological identification is necessary. Additionally, fresh yellowfin fillets are often incorrectly placed in 0302.32, but they must be classified under 0304.49 as "fish fillets and other fish meat."
Top exporters and importers of HS 030232 (the code used for fresh yellowfin tuna), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030232 (the code used for fresh yellowfin tuna) in UN Comtrade data was Costa Rica, with about 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 60% 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 030232, not only fresh yellowfin tuna.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Costa Rica* ~$27M 12% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Panama $25M 11% of world exports
- 3 Sri Lanka $23M 10% of world exports
World total: $222M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $158M 60% of world imports
- 2 France $20M 7.8% of world imports
- 3 Italy $18M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $262M 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 yellowfin tuna
Brazil classifies fresh yellowfin tuna under NCM 0302.32.00: HS 0302.32 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fresh yellowfin tuna
What is the HS code for Fresh yellowfin tuna?
The HS code for Fresh yellowfin tuna is 030232 (Fish; fresh or chilled, yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99). The HS code for fresh or chilled yellowfin tuna (whole or dressed) is 0302.32.
How do I classify Fresh yellowfin tuna for customs?
Fresh yellowfin tuna is classified under HS code 030232 — Fish; fresh or chilled, yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), 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.
Are tuna steaks covered under this HS code?
No, tuna steaks and fillets are classified under heading 0304, specifically 0304.49 for fresh or chilled yellowfin tuna meat.
Which countries are the top exporters of fresh yellowfin tuna (HS 030232)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030232 (the code used for fresh yellowfin tuna) in UN Comtrade data were Costa Rica (about $27M, 12% of world exports), Panama ($25M) and Sri Lanka ($23M). World exports came to about $222M, 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 yellowfin tuna (HS 030232)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030232 (the code used for fresh yellowfin tuna) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($158M, 60% of world imports), France ($20M) and Italy ($18M). World imports came to about $262M, 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 yellowfin tuna the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030232 for Fresh yellowfin 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 yellowfin tuna in Brazil?
In Brazil, fresh yellowfin tuna (HS 030232) is classified under NCM 0302.32.00.