HS Code for Frozen blue whiting

Frozen blue whiting is classified under HS code 0303.68 based on the Harmonized System's hierarchical structure for fish and crustaceans. Chapter 3 covers fish, and heading 0303 specifically addresses fish that are frozen, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304. Within this heading, subheading 0303.68 is reserved for specific species of the Micromesistius genus, namely Micromesistius poutassou (Northern blue whiting) and Micromesistius australis (Southern blue whiting). The classification follows General Interpretative Rule (GRI) 1, which dictates that classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Since the product is frozen and presented as a whole fish or in a form that does not constitute a fillet or minced meat, it remains within 0303. The exclusion of edible fish offal, which is categorized under subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, is also a critical factor in selecting 0303.68 for the whole or headed and gutted fish.

Products Included

• Whole frozen Northern blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou)
• Whole frozen Southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis)
• Headed and gutted (H&G) frozen blue whiting
• Frozen blue whiting with fins or tails removed, but not filleted

Common Misclassification

A frequent error involves misclassifying blue whiting under HS code 0304. This heading is reserved for fish fillets and other fish meat (whether or not minced). If the blue whiting has been deboned or sliced into fillets, it must be moved to 0304. Another common confusion occurs with HS code 0303.67, which is specifically for Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma). While both are whitefish, the species-specific nature of the 0303 subheadings requires strict adherence to the biological genus. Additionally, edible offal such as livers and roes must be classified under 0303.91 through 0303.99 rather than 0303.68.

FAQ

What is the HS code for frozen blue whiting?

The HS code for frozen blue whiting is 0303.68, which covers the species Micromesistius poutassou and Micromesistius australis.

Can frozen blue whiting fillets be classified under 0303.68?

No, fillets are specifically excluded from heading 0303 and must be classified under heading 0304, which covers fish fillets and other fish meat.