Product classification

HS code for Frozen bone-in beef cuts: 0202.20

Meat, of bovine animals, cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses), frozen.

Classification of frozen bone-in beef cuts under HS 0202.20

Frozen bone-in beef cuts are classified under HS code 0202.20. This classification is determined by Chapter 2, which covers meat and edible meat offal. Heading 0202 is specific to meat of bovine animals that has been frozen. Within this heading, a distinction is made between carcasses or half-carcasses (0202.10) and other cuts. Subheading 0202.20 covers "other cuts with bone in," which refers to any portion of the bovine carcass that contains bone but does not constitute a full carcass. The term "frozen" implies that the product has been cooled to below its freezing point to ensure long-term preservation. This classification is strictly for raw meat; any meat that has been cooked, seasoned, or otherwise prepared would be classified under Chapter 16. The presence of bone is the primary technical differentiator from subheading 0202.30, which is reserved for boneless cuts.

Covers
  • Frozen beef ribs (bone-in)
  • Frozen beef short loins with bone
  • Frozen beef shanks with bone
  • Frozen T-bone steaks (raw and frozen)
Also under 0202.20
  • Various supermarket brands offering frozen bone-in cuts
  • restaurant supply companies
  • specialty meat distributors

Codes often confused with 0202.20

Common mistake. A common misclassification occurs with HS code 0201.20, which is for bone-in beef cuts that are fresh or chilled. The distinction between chilled (0201) and frozen (0202) is critical for customs compliance. Another error is using 0202.10, which is strictly for full carcasses or half-carcasses. If the meat has been deboned, it must be classified under 0202.30. Additionally, if the beef is processed (e.g., marinated or salted), it may fall under 0210 or 1602 depending on the extent of the processing.

0201.20Meat; of bovine animals, cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses), fresh or chilled02.01Meat of bovine animals; fresh or chilled02.02Meat of bovine animals; frozen0202.10Meat; of bovine animals, carcasses and half-carcasses, frozen0202.30Meat; of bovine animals, boneless cuts, frozen02.10Meat and edible meat offal; salted, in brine, dried or smoked; edible flours and meals of meat or meat offal16.02Prepared or preserved meat, meat offal, blood or insects

Top exporters and importers of HS 020220 (the code used for frozen bone-in beef cuts), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 020220 (the code used for frozen bone-in beef cuts) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 35% 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 020220, not only frozen bone-in beef cuts.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 United States $1.1B
  2. 2 Australia $622M
  3. 3 Argentina $379M

World total: $3.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $1.1B
  2. 2 South Korea $991M
  3. 3 United States $207M

World total: $3.3B 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 codes for frozen bone-in beef cuts

Brazil splits HS 0202.20 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about frozen bone-in beef cuts

What is the HS code for Frozen bone-in beef cuts?

The HS code for Frozen bone-in beef cuts is 020220 (Meat; of bovine animals, cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses), frozen).

How do I classify Frozen bone-in beef cuts for customs?

Frozen bone-in beef cuts is classified under HS code 020220 — Meat; of bovine animals, cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses), frozen. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What is the HS code for frozen bone-in beef?

The HS code for frozen bone-in beef cuts (excluding carcasses) is 0202.20.

What is the difference between 0202.20 and 0202.30?

HS code 0202.20 is for beef cuts that contain bone, while 0202.30 is for boneless beef cuts.

Which countries are the top exporters of frozen bone-in beef cuts (HS 020220)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 020220 (the code used for frozen bone-in beef cuts) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.1B, 34% of world exports), Australia ($622M) and Argentina ($379M). World exports came to about $3.2B, 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 bone-in beef cuts (HS 020220)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 020220 (the code used for frozen bone-in beef cuts) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.1B, 35% of world imports), South Korea ($991M) and the United States ($207M). World imports came to about $3.3B, 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 bone-in beef cuts the same in all countries?

The base HS code 020220 for Frozen bone-in beef cuts 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 bone-in beef cuts in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 020220 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for frozen bone-in beef cuts depends on the product's details: 0202.20.10 (Bone-in beef forequarters, frozen), 0202.20.20 (Bone-in beef hindquarters, frozen), 0202.20.90 (Other bone-in beef cuts, frozen).