Product classification
HS code for Frozen Pacific salmon: 0303.12
Fish, frozen, Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha/keta/tschawytscha/ kisutch/masou/rhodurus) other than sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99.
Classification of frozen Pacific salmon under HS 0303.12
Frozen Pacific salmon is classified under HS code 0303.12 based on its biological genus and the state of preservation. Chapter 3 of the Harmonized System encompasses fish and crustaceans, with heading 0303 specifically designated for frozen fish, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304. Subheading 0303.12 covers specific species of Pacific salmon, including Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (pink), Oncorhynchus keta (chum), Oncorhynchus tschawytscha (chinook), Oncorhynchus kisutch (coho), Oncorhynchus masou (masu), and Oncorhynchus rhodurus. Notably, this code excludes sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), which has its own specific subheading. The classification requires the fish to be whole or headed and gutted but not filleted, as filleted fish moves to heading 0304. The freezing process must be sufficient to preserve the product for transport and storage without further processing.
- Covers
- Frozen whole Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
- Frozen headed and gutted (H&G) Chum salmon
- Frozen Chinook salmon, whole or dressed
- Frozen Coho salmon, excluding fillets
- Frozen Masu and Rhodurus salmon
- Also under 0303.12
- Wild Alaska Pink Salmon
- Canadian Chum Salmon
- Oregon Coho Salmon
- "Frozen Whole King Salmon," "Frozen Keta Salmon."
Codes often confused with 0303.12
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 0303.11, which is reserved specifically for Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). Importers often group all Pacific salmon together, but the HS nomenclature requires the separation of Sockeye. Another common error is using 0304.81 for frozen salmon fillets; heading 0303 is only for whole or basic dressed fish. Additionally, 0303.13 (Atlantic and Danube salmon) is often used incorrectly for Pacific species. Finally, if the salmon is smoked and then frozen, it must be classified under 0305.41 rather than 0303.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030312 (the code used for frozen Pacific salmon), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030312 (the code used for frozen Pacific salmon) in UN Comtrade data was Chile, with 63% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 40% 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 030312, not only frozen Pacific salmon.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Chile $1.0B 63% of world exports
- 2 United States $361M 22% of world exports
- 3 Russia* ~$127M 7.7% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $658M 40% of world imports
- 2 China $321M 19% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$127M 7.7% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.7B 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 Pacific salmon
Brazil classifies frozen Pacific salmon under NCM 0303.12.00: HS 0303.12 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about frozen Pacific salmon
What is the HS code for Frozen Pacific salmon?
The HS code for Frozen Pacific salmon is 030312 (Fish; frozen, Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha/keta/tschawytscha/ kisutch/masou/rhodurus) other than sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99). The HS code for most Frozen Pacific salmon (excluding Sockeye) is 0303.12.
How do I classify Frozen Pacific salmon for customs?
Frozen Pacific salmon is classified under HS code 030312 — Fish; frozen, Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha/keta/tschawytscha/ kisutch/masou/rhodurus) other than sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), 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.
Does 0303.12 include frozen salmon fillets?
No, frozen salmon fillets are classified under HS code 0304.81. Heading 0303 is restricted to whole fish or fish that has been headed, gutted, or had fins removed.
Which countries are the top exporters of frozen Pacific salmon (HS 030312)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030312 (the code used for frozen Pacific salmon) in UN Comtrade data were Chile ($1.0B, 63% of world exports), the United States ($361M) and Russia (about $127M). World exports came to about $1.6B, 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 Pacific salmon (HS 030312)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030312 (the code used for frozen Pacific salmon) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($658M, 40% of world imports), China ($321M) and Vietnam (about $127M). World imports came to about $1.7B, 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 Pacific salmon the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030312 for Frozen Pacific salmon 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 Pacific salmon in Brazil?
In Brazil, frozen Pacific salmon (HS 030312) is classified under NCM 0303.12.00.