Product classification
HS code for Frozen cobia: 0303.56
Fish, frozen, cobia (Rachycentron canadum), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99.
Classification of frozen cobia under HS 0303.56
Frozen cobia is classified under HS code 030356, a designation that specifies both the species (Rachycentron canadum) and the preservation state (frozen). This code is part of the broader 0303 heading, which encompasses fish that are frozen, excluding fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304. To be classified here, the cobia must be whole, headed, or gutted, and must have been frozen to a temperature that preserves the product for an extended period by stopping microbial activity. The distinction between fresh (0302) and frozen (0303) is a primary divider in seafood logistics and customs. Cobia is an increasingly important species in aquaculture, and the use of 030356 allows for the precise tracking of frozen whole cobia in international trade. This classification ensures that the product meets the specific cold-chain requirements and regulatory standards for frozen seafood imports, which may differ significantly from those for fresh products in terms of shelf-life documentation and health certifications.
- Covers
- Frozen whole cobia (Rachycentron canadum)
- Frozen cobia, headed and gutted (H&G)
- Frozen cobia, gilled and gutted
- Frozen cobia, tail removed
- Whole frozen cobia for further industrial processing
- Also under 0303.56
- Open Blue Cobia (frozen products)
- various Asian seafood distributors
- specific restaurant suppliers
- wholesale seafood markets
Codes often confused with 0303.56
Common mistake. Frozen cobia is frequently misclassified under 030246, which is the code for fresh or chilled cobia. This error often occurs when the shipping method (reefer container) is not correctly aligned with the product state in the documentation. Another common mistake is using 030389, the "other" frozen fish category, which should only be used if a specific species code does not exist. Additionally, if the cobia has been processed into frozen fillets, it must be classified under 030489, as 030356 is strictly for whole or minimally processed fish.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030356 (the code used for frozen cobia), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030356 (the code used for frozen cobia) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 66% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% 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 030356, not only frozen cobia.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $672K 66% of world exports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$146K 14% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Netherlands $125K 12% of world exports
World total: $1.0M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $165K 24% of world imports
- 2 Thailand $128K 18% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$116K 17% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $697K 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. 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 cobia
Brazil classifies frozen cobia under NCM 0303.56.00: HS 0303.56 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about frozen cobia
What is the HS code for Frozen cobia?
The HS code for Frozen cobia is 030356 (Fish; frozen, cobia (Rachycentron canadum), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99). Frozen whole or gutted cobia is classified under HS code 030356.
How do I classify Frozen cobia for customs?
Frozen cobia is classified under HS code 030356 — Fish; frozen, cobia (Rachycentron canadum), 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 does this differ from fresh cobia?
Fresh or chilled cobia is classified under 030246; the distinction is based entirely on whether the fish has been frozen or merely chilled.
Which countries are the top exporters of frozen cobia (HS 030356)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030356 (the code used for frozen cobia) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($672K, 66% of world exports), Vietnam (about $146K) and the Netherlands ($125K). World exports came to about $1.0M, 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 cobia (HS 030356)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030356 (the code used for frozen cobia) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($165K, 24% of world imports), Thailand ($128K) and Vietnam (about $116K). World imports came to about $697K, 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 cobia the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030356 for Frozen cobia 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 cobia in Brazil?
In Brazil, frozen cobia (HS 030356) is classified under NCM 0303.56.00.