Product classification
HS code for Frozen bigeye tuna: 0303.44
Fish, frozen, bigeye tunas (Thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99.
Classification of frozen bigeye tuna under HS 0303.44
Frozen bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) is classified under HS code 0303.44. This classification is found within Chapter 3 (Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates). Heading 0303 is dedicated to fish, frozen, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304. The subheading 0303.44 is specific to the Bigeye species. Classification is based on the biological species and the physical state of the fish. To fall under this code, the fish must be frozen and must be presented as a whole fish, or in a form such as headed, gutted, or tailed (H&G). If the fish has been processed into fillets, steaks, or minced meat, it is excluded from 0303 and must be classified under 0304. The Bigeye tuna is a major commercial species, and the HS system provides specific codes for various tuna species (such as Albacore, Yellowfin, and Skipjack) to facilitate environmental monitoring and trade statistics.
- Covers
- Whole frozen bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus)
- Frozen bigeye tuna, headed and gutted (H&G)
- Frozen bigeye tuna, gilled and gutted
- Frozen bigeye tuna with fins removed
- Frozen bigeye tuna, excluding fillets and steaks
- Also under 0303.44
- Maruha Nichiro (fishing/processing)
- Kyokuyo Co. (fishing/processing)
- Nippon Suisan Kaisha (Nissui) (fishing/processing)
- True World Foods (distributor)
- Pacific Seafood (distributor)
Codes often confused with 0303.44
Common mistake. A frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 0304.87, which covers frozen tuna fillets. Many traders mistakenly use 0303.44 for tuna steaks or loins, but these are considered \"fillets or other fish meat\" and belong in 0304. Another common error is confusing Bigeye tuna with other species; for instance, Skipjack tuna is 0303.43 and Yellowfin tuna is 0303.42. Using the incorrect species code can lead to issues with fishing quotas and CITES regulations. Additionally, if the fish is fresh or chilled rather than frozen, it must be classified under heading 0302 (specifically 0302.34 for Bigeye).
Top exporters and importers of HS 030344 (the code used for frozen bigeye tuna), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030344 (the code used for frozen bigeye tuna) in UN Comtrade data was Taiwan, with about 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 62% 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 030344, not only frozen bigeye tuna.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Taiwan* ~$148M 44% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 China $46M 14% of world exports
- 3 Spain $27M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $336M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $257M 62% of world imports
- 2 Thailand $48M 12% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $21M 5.1% of world imports
World total: $412M 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 bigeye tuna
Brazil classifies frozen bigeye tuna under NCM 0303.44.00: HS 0303.44 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about frozen bigeye tuna
What is the HS code for Frozen bigeye tuna?
The HS code for Frozen bigeye tuna is 030344 (Fish; frozen, bigeye tunas (Thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99). The HS code for frozen bigeye tuna (whole or gutted, but not filleted) is 0303.44.
How do I classify Frozen bigeye tuna for customs?
Frozen bigeye tuna is classified under HS code 030344 — Fish; frozen, bigeye tunas (Thunnus obesus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How are frozen bigeye tuna fillets classified?
Frozen bigeye tuna fillets are classified under HS code 0304.87, which covers frozen fillets of tunas, skipjack, or stripe-bellied bonito.
Which countries are the top exporters of frozen bigeye tuna (HS 030344)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030344 (the code used for frozen bigeye tuna) in UN Comtrade data were Taiwan (about $148M, 44% of world exports), China ($46M) and Spain ($27M). World exports came to about $336M, 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 bigeye tuna (HS 030344)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030344 (the code used for frozen bigeye tuna) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($257M, 62% of world imports), Thailand ($48M) and South Korea ($21M). World imports came to about $412M, 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 bigeye tuna the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030344 for Frozen bigeye 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 frozen bigeye tuna in Brazil?
In Brazil, frozen bigeye tuna (HS 030344) is classified under NCM 0303.44.00.