Product classification
HS code for Frozen blue whiting: 0303.68
Fish, frozen, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99.
Classification of frozen blue whiting under HS 0303.68
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.
- Covers
- 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
- Also under 0303.68
- Pelagic Fishery Blue Whiting
- Oceanic Catch Blue Whiting
- Chilean Blue Whiting
- Norwegian Blue Whiting
Codes often confused with 0303.68
Common mistake. 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.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030368 (the code used for frozen blue whiting), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030368 (the code used for frozen blue whiting) in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 52% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Nigeria, with 54% 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 030368, not only frozen blue whiting.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Netherlands $149M 52% of world exports
- 2 Ireland $41M 14% of world exports
- 3 Germany $34M 12% of world exports
World total: $284M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Nigeria $159M 54% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $37M 13% of world imports
- 3 China $31M 11% of world imports
World total: $292M 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 frozen blue whiting
Brazil classifies frozen blue whiting under NCM 0303.68.00: HS 0303.68 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about frozen blue whiting
What is the HS code for Frozen blue whiting?
The HS code for Frozen blue whiting is 030368 (Fish; frozen, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99). The HS code for frozen blue whiting is 0303.68, which covers the species Micromesistius poutassou and Micromesistius australis.
How do I classify Frozen blue whiting for customs?
Frozen blue whiting is classified under HS code 030368 — Fish; frozen, blue whitings (Micromesistius poutassou, Micromesistius australis), 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.
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.
Which countries are the top exporters of frozen blue whiting (HS 030368)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030368 (the code used for frozen blue whiting) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($149M, 52% of world exports), Ireland ($41M) and Germany ($34M). World exports came to about $284M, 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 blue whiting (HS 030368)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030368 (the code used for frozen blue whiting) in UN Comtrade data were Nigeria ($159M, 54% of world imports), the Netherlands ($37M) and China ($31M). World imports came to about $292M, 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 blue whiting the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030368 for Frozen blue whiting 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 blue whiting in Brazil?
In Brazil, frozen blue whiting (HS 030368) is classified under NCM 0303.68.00.