Product classification
HS code for Frozen toothfish: 0303.83
Fish, frozen, toothfish (Dissostichus spp.), excluding fillets, livers, roes, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99.
Classification of frozen toothfish under HS 0303.83
Frozen toothfish is classified under HS code 0303.83. This code is situated within Heading 0303, which covers frozen fish, excluding fillets and other meat of heading 0304. Subheading 0303.83 specifically identifies toothfish of the genus Dissostichus, which includes both the Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) and the Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni). This classification applies to whole fish, headed and gutted (H&G) fish, or fish that have been scaled and finned, provided they remain in a frozen state. Because toothfish is a high-value species often subject to strict international trade regulations and conservation measures (such as those by CCAMLR), precise classification is essential for legal importation. The code ensures that the species is tracked separately from other frozen fish. If the toothfish were processed into fillets, it would move to heading 0304, specifically 0304.85 for frozen fillets.
- Covers
- Whole frozen Patagonian toothfish
- Whole frozen Antarctic toothfish
- Frozen headed and gutted (H&G) toothfish
- Frozen toothfish collars (if not considered meat/fillets)
- Also under 0303.83
- Frozen Patagonian Toothfish (whole)
- Frozen Antarctic Toothfish (gutted)
- Chilean Sea Bass (frozen, whole)
- Dissostichus eleginoides (frozen)
- Dissostichus mawsoni (frozen)
Codes often confused with 0303.83
Common mistake. Frozen toothfish is often misclassified under 0304.85, which is the code for frozen toothfish fillets. It may also be confused with 0302.83, which is for fresh or chilled toothfish. In some cases, it is incorrectly placed in 0303.89, the "other" frozen fish category, which should be avoided since a specific code for toothfish exists.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030383 (the code used for frozen toothfish), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030383 (the code used for frozen toothfish) in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 49% 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 030383, not only frozen toothfish.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 South Korea $76M 23% of world exports
- 2 Chile $59M 18% of world exports
- 3 Falkland Islands* ~$29M 8.8% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $335M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $273M 49% of world imports
- 2 China $133M 24% of world imports
- 3 Singapore $59M 10% of world imports
World total: $562M 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 toothfish
Brazil splits HS 0303.83 into 4 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 0303.83.11Frozen Patagonian toothfish, gutted, no head/tail
- 0303.83.19Other frozen Patagonian toothfish
- 0303.83.21Frozen Antarctic toothfish, gutted, no head/tail
- 0303.83.29Other frozen Antarctic toothfish
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about frozen toothfish
What is the HS code for Frozen toothfish?
The HS code for Frozen toothfish is 030383 (Fish; frozen, toothfish (Dissostichus spp.), excluding fillets, livers, roes, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99). The HS code for whole or H&G frozen toothfish (Dissostichus spp.) is 0303.83.
How do I classify Frozen toothfish for customs?
Frozen toothfish is classified under HS code 030383 — Fish; frozen, toothfish (Dissostichus spp.), excluding fillets, livers, roes, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code cover both Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish?
Yes, HS code 0303.83 covers all species within the genus Dissostichus, including both Patagonian and Antarctic varieties.
Which countries are the top exporters of frozen toothfish (HS 030383)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030383 (the code used for frozen toothfish) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($76M, 23% of world exports), Chile ($59M) and the Falkland Islands (about $29M). World exports came to about $335M, 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 toothfish (HS 030383)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030383 (the code used for frozen toothfish) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($273M, 49% of world imports), China ($133M) and Singapore ($59M). World imports came to about $562M, 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 toothfish the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030383 for Frozen toothfish 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 toothfish in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 030383 into 4 NCM codes, so the right one for frozen toothfish depends on the product's details: 0303.83.11 (Frozen Patagonian toothfish, gutted, no head/tail), 0303.83.19 (Other frozen Patagonian toothfish), 0303.83.21 (Frozen Antarctic toothfish, gutted, no head/tail), 0303.83.29 (Other frozen Antarctic toothfish).