HS Code for Frozen tilapia

Frozen tilapia is classified under HS code 0303.23. This code falls within Heading 0303, which encompasses fish, frozen, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304. The classification is specific to the genus Oreochromis. For a product to be classified here, it must be in a frozen state and generally presented as a whole fish, or a fish that has undergone basic processing such as being gutted, gilled, or having the head removed (often referred to as H&G). The Harmonized System distinguishes between whole fish and processed meat; once the fish is filleted or minced, it moves to Heading 0304. Subheading 0303.23 is part of a specific group of codes dedicated to tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads, reflecting their importance in international aquaculture trade. Proper classification requires that the fish has not been cooked or prepared with other ingredients, as that would move the product to Chapter 16.

Products Included

• Whole frozen tilapia
• Frozen gutted and scaled tilapia
• Frozen headed and gutted (H&G) tilapia
• Frozen tilapia with fins removed

Common Misclassification

A common error is classifying whole frozen tilapia under 0304.61, which is reserved for frozen tilapia fillets. Another frequent misclassification occurs with 0302.11, which is the code for fresh or chilled tilapia. Importers must ensure the preservation method (frozen vs. chilled) is correctly identified to avoid customs delays.

FAQ

What is the HS code for frozen tilapia?

The HS code for whole or headed/gutted frozen tilapia is 0303.23.

Is frozen tilapia meat classified here?

No, frozen tilapia meat or fillets are classified under heading 0304, specifically 0304.61 for fillets or 0304.93 for other meat/mince.