Product classification

HS code for Frozen flatfish fillets: 0304.83

Fish fillets, frozen, flat fish (Pleuronectidae, Bothidae, Cynoglossidae, Soleidae, Scophthalmidae and Citharidae).

Classification of frozen flatfish fillets under HS 0304.83

Frozen flatfish fillets are classified under HS code 0304.83 according to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1 and 6. Chapter 03 covers fish and crustaceans, while heading 0304 specifically addresses fish fillets and other fish meat, whether or not minced, fresh, chilled, or frozen. The classification process begins by identifying the state of the product; since these are fillets and are frozen, they fall under the 0304 heading. Within this heading, the code is further refined by the species of fish. Subheading 0304.83 is reserved for flatfish, which includes families such as Pleuronectidae, Bothidae, Cynoglossidae, Soleidae, Scophthalmidae, and Citharidae. The classification is determined by the biological family of the fish and the physical form of the cut, ensuring that the product is a fillet (a longitudinal slice of fish meat) rather than a whole fish or a block of minced meat. The freezing process must be the primary method of preservation to maintain this classification.

Covers
  • Frozen Atlantic halibut fillets
  • Frozen Pacific halibut fillets
  • Frozen plaice fillets
  • Frozen sole fillets (Solea spp.)
  • Frozen turbot fillets
  • Frozen flounder fillets
  • Frozen tongue-sole fillets
Also under 0304.83
  • Gorton's Fish Fillets (Flounder)
  • High Liner Foods (Sole)
  • Iglo (Plaice)
  • Young's Seafood (Lemon Sole)
  • Trident Seafoods (Halibut)

Codes often confused with 0304.83

Common mistake. A frequent error in classifying these products involves confusing them with whole frozen fish under heading 0303. Specifically, whole frozen flatfish are classified under 0303.31 through 0303.39. If the fish is merely headed and gutted but not filleted, it remains in 0303. Additionally, if the fillets are breaded or pre-cooked, they must be moved to Chapter 16, specifically 1604.19, as they are then considered prepared or preserved fish. Another common mistake is using 0304.81, which is reserved for Pacific salmon, or 0304.82 for Atlantic and Danube salmon.

03.03Fish; frozen, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 03040303.31Fish; frozen, halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, Hippoglossus stenolepis), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.990303.39Fish; frozen, flat fish, n.e.c. in item no. 0303.3, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.991604.19Fish preparations; fish prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced), n.e.c. in heading no. 16040304.81Fish fillets; frozen, salmon, Pacific (Oncorhynchus nerka, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, Oncorhynchus keta, Oncorhynchus tschawytscha, Oncorhynchus kisutch, Oncorhynchus masou, Oncorhynchus rhodurus), Atlantic (Salmo salar), and Danube (Hucho hucho)0304.82Fish fillets; frozen, trout (Salmo trutta, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Oncorhynchus clarki, Oncorhynchus aguabonita, Oncorhynchus gilae, Oncorhynchus apache and Oncorhynchus chrysogaster)

Top exporters and importers of HS 030483 (the code used for frozen flatfish fillets), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030483 (the code used for frozen flatfish fillets) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 57% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% 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 030483, not only frozen flatfish fillets.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $317M
  2. 2 Netherlands $95M
  3. 3 Greenland* ~$38M

World total: $561M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $89M
  2. 2 Japan $74M
  3. 3 Italy $55M

World total: $494M 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 flatfish fillets

Brazil classifies frozen flatfish fillets under NCM 0304.83.00: HS 0304.83 with 00 added.

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

Questions about frozen flatfish fillets

What is the HS code for Frozen flatfish fillets?

The HS code for Frozen flatfish fillets is 030483 (Fish fillets; frozen, flat fish (Pleuronectidae, Bothidae, Cynoglossidae, Soleidae, Scophthalmidae and Citharidae)). The primary HS code for frozen flatfish fillets is 0304.83, which covers various species including halibut, plaice, and sole.

How do I classify Frozen flatfish fillets for customs?

Frozen flatfish fillets is classified under HS code 030483 — Fish fillets; frozen, flat fish (Pleuronectidae, Bothidae, Cynoglossidae, Soleidae, Scophthalmidae and Citharidae). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code include breaded fish fillets?

No, breaded or battered fish fillets are classified under HS code 1604.19 because the addition of breading constitutes a preparation beyond simple freezing.

Which countries are the top exporters of frozen flatfish fillets (HS 030483)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030483 (the code used for frozen flatfish fillets) in UN Comtrade data were China ($317M, 57% of world exports), the Netherlands ($95M) and Greenland (about $38M). World exports came to about $561M, 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 flatfish fillets (HS 030483)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 030483 (the code used for frozen flatfish fillets) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($89M, 18% of world imports), Japan ($74M) and Italy ($55M). World imports came to about $494M, 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 flatfish fillets the same in all countries?

The base HS code 030483 for Frozen flatfish fillets 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 flatfish fillets in Brazil?

In Brazil, frozen flatfish fillets (HS 030483) is classified under NCM 0304.83.00.