Product classification

HS code for Frozen eel meat: 0304.93

Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced, frozen, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads.

Classification of frozen eel meat under HS 0304.93

HS code 0304.93 is the correct classification for frozen eel meat that does not meet the technical definition of a fillet. This code falls under Chapter 3 (Fish) and heading 0304 (Fish fillets and other fish meat). While sub-headings like 0304.69 are reserved for fillets, the 0304.9x series is intended for 'other' fish meat, which includes minced fish or meat that has been separated from the bone but does not retain the structural integrity of a fillet. Sub-heading 0304.93 specifically names eels (Anguilla spp.) along with tilapias, catfish, and carp. This classification is determined by GRI 1 and 6, focusing on the species and the processing state. Minced fish meat is often used as a raw material for further processing into surimi or other fish-based food products. To remain in this category, the meat must be frozen and must not have undergone any preparation beyond basic mechanical separation or mincing. If the meat is dried, salted, or in brine, it would move to heading 0305.

Covers
  • Frozen minced eel meat
  • Frozen eel meat blocks (non-fillet)
  • Mechanically deboned frozen eel meat
  • Frozen eel meat scraps for industrial use
Also under 0304.93
  • Regal Springs (Tilapia trim)
  • various Asian food manufacturers (Minced Catfish Blocks)
  • Pangasius (Catfish meat blocks)
  • Iglo (Fish fingers using these species' meat)

Codes often confused with 0304.93

Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 0304.69, which is strictly for fillets. If the product consists of small pieces or minced meat, 0304.93 is the correct choice. Additionally, if the eel meat is prepared or preserved (e.g., mixed with other ingredients or cooked), it must be classified under 1604.20 as 'other prepared or preserved fish.' Importers should also avoid 0304.99, which is a catch-all for other fish species not listed in 0304.91 through 0304.95.

0304.69Fish fillets; frozen, carp (Cyprinus/Carassius/Ctenopharyngodon idellus/Hypophthalmichthys/Cirrhinus/Mylopharyngodon piceus/Catla catla/Labeo/Osteochilus hasselti/Leptobarbus hoeveni/Megalobrama), eels (Anguilla) and snakeheads (Channa)1604.20Fish preparations; fish minced or in forms n.e.c. in heading no. 1604, prepared or preserved0304.99Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; frozen, n.e.c. in item no. 0304.90304.91Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; frozen, swordfish (Xiphias gladius)0304.95Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; frozen, of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae and Muraenolepididae, other than Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma)

Top exporters and importers of HS 030493 (the code used for frozen eel meat), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030493 (the code used for frozen eel meat) in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 80% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 38% 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 030493, not only frozen eel meat.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Vietnam* ~$25M
  2. 2 Netherlands $2.3M
  3. 3 Indonesia $1.1M

World total: $31M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Canada $23M
  2. 2 China $15M
  3. 3 Italy $6.2M

World total: $62M 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 eel meat

Brazil classifies frozen eel meat under NCM 0304.93.00: HS 0304.93 with 00 added.

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

Questions about frozen eel meat

What is the HS code for Frozen eel meat?

The HS code for Frozen eel meat is 030493 (Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; frozen, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads). Frozen eel meat that is minced or not in fillet form is classified under HS code 0304.93.

How do I classify Frozen eel meat for customs?

Frozen eel meat is classified under HS code 030493 — Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced; frozen, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

How does this differ from eel fillets?

Eel fillets (0304.69) are whole sides of the fish, whereas eel meat (0304.93) refers to minced meat or pieces that do not have the shape of a fillet.

Which countries are the top exporters of frozen eel meat (HS 030493)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030493 (the code used for frozen eel meat) in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $25M, 80% of world exports), the Netherlands ($2.3M) and Indonesia ($1.1M). World exports came to about $31M, 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 eel meat (HS 030493)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 030493 (the code used for frozen eel meat) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($23M, 38% of world imports), China ($15M) and Italy ($6.2M). World imports came to about $62M, 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 eel meat the same in all countries?

The base HS code 030493 for Frozen eel meat 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 eel meat in Brazil?

In Brazil, frozen eel meat (HS 030493) is classified under NCM 0304.93.00.