Product classification

HS code for Frozen fish fins: 0303.99

Fish, frozen, fish fins (other than shark fins), heads, tails, maws and other edible fish offal.

Classification of frozen fish fins under HS 0303.99

HS code 0303.99 is designated for the classification of frozen edible fish offal that does not fall under more specific subheadings. In the context of the Harmonized System, 'offal' refers to the various parts of the fish that remain after the primary meat or fillets have been removed, provided they are fit for human consumption. This specific code, 0303.99, acts as a residual category for items such as fish heads, tails, maws (swim bladders), and skins. It specifically excludes shark fins, which are classified under 0303.92, and livers, roes, and milt, which are classified under 0303.91. The product must be preserved by freezing to be eligible for this heading. If these parts were fresh or chilled, they would be classified under heading 0302. The distinction between edible offal and fish waste is critical; if the product is not intended for human consumption (e.g., for use in animal feed or fertilizer), it may be classified under heading 0511. Importers must ensure that the offal is cleaned and handled according to food safety standards to maintain its classification as an edible product. This code is vital for the international trade of specialty seafood components used in traditional cuisines and industrial food processing.

Covers
  • Frozen fish heads
  • Frozen fish tails
  • Frozen fish maws (swim bladders)
  • Frozen fish skins (edible)
  • Frozen fish fins (excluding shark fins)
  • Other edible frozen fish offal not elsewhere specified
Also under 0303.99
  • Frozen Salmon Heads (for soup)
  • Frozen Cod Collars
  • Frozen Tuna Maws
  • Frozen Tilapia Tails
  • Frozen Fish Frames (for stock)

Codes often confused with 0303.99

Common mistake. The most common misclassification involves shark fins, which must be classified under 0303.92 rather than 0303.99. Another frequent error is the confusion with 0303.91, which is reserved specifically for livers, roes, and milt. If the offal is not frozen but rather dried, salted, or smoked, it must be moved to heading 0305. Furthermore, if the parts are processed into a meal or powder unfit for human consumption, they fall under 2301.20. Customs authorities often scrutinize 0303.99 to ensure that the items are indeed edible and not merely industrial waste, which would be classified under 0511.91.

0303.92Fish; frozen, shark fins0303.91Fish; frozen, livers, roes and milt03.05Fish, dried, salted or in brine; smoked fish, whether or not cooked before, or during the smoking process2301.20Flours, meals and pellets; of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates0511.91Animal products; of fish or crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates; dead animals of chapter 03, unfit for human consumption

Top exporters and importers of HS 030399 (the code used for frozen fish fins), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030399 (the code used for frozen fish fins) in UN Comtrade data was Norway, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 46% 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 030399, not only frozen fish fins.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Norway $56M
  2. 2 Greenland* ~$52M
  3. 3 Iceland $29M

World total: $356M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $172M
  2. 2 Philippines $36M
  3. 3 Vietnam* ~$27M

World total: $378M 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 codes for frozen fish fins

Brazil splits HS 0303.99 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 fish fins

What is the HS code for Frozen fish fins?

The HS code for Frozen fish fins is 030399 (Fish; frozen, fish fins (other than shark fins), heads, tails, maws and other edible fish offal).

How do I classify Frozen fish fins for customs?

Frozen fish fins is classified under HS code 030399 — Fish; frozen, fish fins (other than shark fins), heads, tails, maws and other edible fish offal. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What is the HS code for frozen fish heads?

Frozen fish heads intended for human consumption are classified under HS code 0303.99. If they are intended for bait or animal feed, they may be classified differently under chapter 5.

Are shark fins included in this HS code?

No, shark fins are specifically excluded from 0303.99. They have their own dedicated classification under HS code 0303.92 to allow for better monitoring of shark fin trade.

Which countries are the top exporters of frozen fish fins (HS 030399)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030399 (the code used for frozen fish fins) in UN Comtrade data were Norway ($56M, 16% of world exports), Greenland (about $52M) and Iceland ($29M). World exports came to about $356M, 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 fish fins (HS 030399)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 030399 (the code used for frozen fish fins) in UN Comtrade data were China ($172M, 46% of world imports), the Philippines ($36M) and Vietnam (about $27M). World imports came to about $378M, 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 fish fins the same in all countries?

The base HS code 030399 for Frozen fish fins 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 fish fins in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 030399 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for frozen fish fins depends on the product's details: 0303.99.10 (Frozen Patagonian toothfish heads), 0303.99.20 (Frozen Antarctic toothfish heads), 0303.99.90 (Other frozen edible fish offal).