Product classification
HS code for Frozen Alaska Pollock: 0304.94
Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced, frozen, Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma).
Classification of frozen Alaska Pollock under HS 0304.94
The classification of Frozen Alaska Pollock meat under HS code 0304.94 is determined by the specific processing state and the biological species of the fish. This code is part of the broader heading 0304, which encompasses fish fillets and other fish meat, whether or not minced, but specifically excludes products that are fresh or chilled. For a product to be correctly assigned to 0304.94, it must be derived from the species Theragra chalcogramma. The primary distinction for this subheading is that it covers fish meat that is not in the form of a fillet. In the seafood industry, this often refers to minced fish or meat that has been recovered from the skeletal remains after filleting through mechanical means. This mechanically separated meat must be frozen to maintain its classification here. It is important to note that while the meat is minced, it has not yet undergone the secondary processing required to become surimi, which involves washing, refining, and the addition of cryoprotectants. The technical integrity of the fish muscle fibers is a key factor, although in 0304.94, the structural form of a fillet is explicitly absent. Importers must ensure that the product does not contain bones or skin to a degree that would reclassify it as whole fish or offal. The freezing process must be sufficient to lower the core temperature of the product to a level that inhibits microbial growth, typically -18 degrees Celsius or lower, to meet the frozen criteria of Chapter 3.
- Covers
- Minced Alaska Pollock meat blocks
- Mechanically deboned Alaska Pollock meat
- Frozen fish meat chunks (non-fillet) of Theragra chalcogramma
- Frozen Pollock meat bits used for industrial food processing
- Also under 0304.94
- Trident Seafoods Alaska Pollock Blocks
- Gorton's Fish Sticks (raw material)
- High Liner Foods (raw material)
- Louis Kemp Surimi Seafood (raw material).
Codes often confused with 0304.94
Common mistake. This code is frequently confused with 0304.75, which is reserved for whole fillets. It is also often misclassified as 0304.95, which is the specific code for surimi. While surimi is made from Pollock meat, the additional processing (washing and additives) requires the use of 0304.95. Additionally, if the product is fresh rather than frozen, it would fall under 0304.59.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030494 (the code used for frozen Alaska Pollock), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030494 (the code used for frozen Alaska Pollock) in UN Comtrade data was Russia, with about 67% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 44% 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 030494, not only frozen Alaska Pollock.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Russia* ~$210M 67% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 United States $41M 13% of world exports
- 3 China $27M 8.6% of world exports
World total: $314M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $282M 44% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $89M 14% of world imports
- 3 China $76M 12% of world imports
World total: $642M 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 frozen Alaska Pollock
Brazil classifies frozen Alaska Pollock under NCM 0304.94.00: HS 0304.94 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about frozen Alaska Pollock
What is the HS code for Frozen Alaska Pollock?
The HS code for Frozen Alaska Pollock is 030494 (Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; frozen, Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma)). The HS code for frozen Alaska Pollock meat (excluding fillets and minced surimi) is 0304.94.
How do I classify Frozen Alaska Pollock for customs?
Frozen Alaska Pollock is classified under HS code 030494 — Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; frozen, Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include Pollock surimi?
No, Pollock surimi is classified under HS code 0304.95 because it has undergone specific washing and stabilizing processes that distinguish it from standard minced meat.
Which countries are the top exporters of frozen Alaska Pollock (HS 030494)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030494 (the code used for frozen Alaska Pollock) in UN Comtrade data were Russia (about $210M, 67% of world exports), the United States ($41M) and China ($27M). World exports came to about $314M, 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 frozen Alaska Pollock (HS 030494)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030494 (the code used for frozen Alaska Pollock) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($282M, 44% of world imports), South Korea ($89M) and China ($76M). World imports came to about $642M, 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 Frozen Alaska Pollock the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030494 for Frozen Alaska Pollock 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 frozen Alaska Pollock in Brazil?
In Brazil, frozen Alaska Pollock (HS 030494) is classified under NCM 0304.94.00.