Product classification
HS code for Frozen boneless lamb: 0204.43
Meat, of sheep (including lamb), boneless cuts, frozen.
Classification of frozen boneless lamb under HS 0204.43
Frozen boneless lamb is classified under HS code 020443. This classification is determined by the General Rules for the Interpretation (GRI) of the Harmonized System, specifically GRI 1, which states that classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Chapter 2 covers meat and edible meat offal. Heading 0204 is dedicated to meat of sheep or goats, whether fresh, chilled, or frozen. The structure of heading 0204 is hierarchical, first distinguishing between sheep and goat meat, then between fresh/chilled and frozen states, and finally by the specific cut of the meat. Subheading 020443 is designated for frozen boneless cuts of sheep. To qualify for this classification, the meat must be frozen to a temperature that ensures it is solid throughout, typically below -18 degrees Celsius, to prevent spoilage during international transit. The removal of all bones is the defining characteristic that separates this code from other frozen sheep meat subheadings. This includes the removal of the vertebrae, ribs, and leg bones. This classification is essential for determining applicable tariffs, quotas, and sanitary regulations. The WCO Explanatory Notes for heading 0204 clarify that the meat can be in the form of carcasses, half-carcasses, or cuts, but 020443 is strictly for those cuts where the bone has been entirely removed.
- Covers
- Frozen boneless lamb leg (primal cut)
- Frozen boneless lamb shoulder (primal cut)
- Frozen boneless lamb loin or saddle
- Frozen boneless lamb trunk or middle
- Frozen boneless lamb neck meat and trimmings
- Frozen boneless lamb shank meat
- Also under 0204.43
- Silver Fern Farms boneless lamb leg
- Alliance Group boneless mutton shoulder
- Australian Lamb Company diced lamb
Codes often confused with 0204.43
Common mistake. It is frequently confused with HS code 020442, which covers frozen sheep cuts with the bone in. The presence or absence of bone is the primary legal distinction under the HS nomenclature. Another common error is using 020423, which is for boneless sheep meat that is fresh or chilled rather than frozen. The temperature state is a fundamental dividing line in Chapter 2. Additionally, meat from goats is classified under different subheadings within 0204, such as 020450, and should not be placed here regardless of whether it is boneless or frozen. Misclassifying these products can lead to incorrect duty payments and delays in customs clearance.
Top exporters and importers of HS 020443 (the code used for frozen boneless lamb), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 020443 (the code used for frozen boneless lamb) in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 50% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 16% 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 020443, not only frozen boneless lamb.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Australia $668M 50% of world exports
- 2 New Zealand $382M 28% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $107M 7.9% of world exports
World total: $1.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $206M 16% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $182M 14% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $118M 9.0% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 code for frozen boneless lamb
Brazil classifies frozen boneless lamb under NCM 0204.43.00: HS 0204.43 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about frozen boneless lamb
What is the HS code for Frozen boneless lamb?
The HS code for Frozen boneless lamb is 020443 (Meat; of sheep (including lamb), boneless cuts, frozen). The HS code is 020443, which specifically covers frozen, boneless cuts of sheep meat.
How do I classify Frozen boneless lamb for customs?
Frozen boneless lamb is classified under HS code 020443 — Meat; of sheep (including lamb), boneless cuts, frozen. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include frozen lamb carcasses?
No, frozen lamb carcasses and half-carcasses are classified under HS code 020441, as they are not considered "cuts" in the same context as boneless meat.
Which countries are the top exporters of frozen boneless lamb (HS 020443)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 020443 (the code used for frozen boneless lamb) in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($668M, 50% of world exports), New Zealand ($382M) and the Netherlands ($107M). World exports came to about $1.3B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of frozen boneless lamb (HS 020443)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 020443 (the code used for frozen boneless lamb) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($206M, 16% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($182M) and the Netherlands ($118M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 boneless lamb the same in all countries?
The base HS code 020443 for Frozen boneless lamb 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 boneless lamb in Brazil?
In Brazil, frozen boneless lamb (HS 020443) is classified under NCM 0204.43.00.