Product classification
HS code for Frozen tilapia: 0303.23
Fish, frozen, tilapias (Oreochromis spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99.
Classification of frozen tilapia under HS 0303.23
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.
- Covers
- Whole frozen tilapia
- Frozen gutted and scaled tilapia
- Frozen headed and gutted (H&G) tilapia
- Frozen tilapia with fins removed
- Also under 0303.23
- Regal Springs Frozen Tilapia
- AquaChile Frozen Tilapia
- Hainan Xiangtai Frozen Tilapia
- CP Foods Frozen Tilapia
- Genomar Frozen Tilapia
Codes often confused with 0303.23
Common mistake. 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.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030323 (the code used for frozen tilapia), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030323 (the code used for frozen tilapia) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 72% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 23% 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 030323, not only frozen tilapia.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $343M 72% of world exports
- 2 Taiwan* ~$35M 7.3% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Vietnam* ~$26M 5.4% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $476M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $117M 23% of world imports
- 2 Côte d'Ivoire $115M 22% of world imports
- 3 Burkina Faso* ~$37M 7.3% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $513M 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 tilapia
Brazil classifies frozen tilapia under NCM 0303.23.00: HS 0303.23 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about frozen tilapia
What is the HS code for Frozen tilapia?
The HS code for Frozen tilapia is 030323 (Fish; frozen, tilapias (Oreochromis spp.), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99). The HS code for whole or headed/gutted frozen tilapia is 0303.23.
How do I classify Frozen tilapia for customs?
Frozen tilapia is classified under HS code 030323 — Fish; frozen, tilapias (Oreochromis spp.), 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.
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.
Which countries are the top exporters of frozen tilapia (HS 030323)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030323 (the code used for frozen tilapia) in UN Comtrade data were China ($343M, 72% of world exports), Taiwan (about $35M) and Vietnam (about $26M). World exports came to about $476M, 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 tilapia (HS 030323)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030323 (the code used for frozen tilapia) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($117M, 23% of world imports), Côte d'Ivoire ($115M) and Burkina Faso (about $37M). World imports came to about $513M, 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 tilapia the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030323 for Frozen tilapia 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 tilapia in Brazil?
In Brazil, frozen tilapia (HS 030323) is classified under NCM 0303.23.00.