HS Code for Frozen whitefish meat

Frozen whitefish meat, excluding fillets and specifically excluding Alaska Pollock, is classified under HS code 0304.95. This code is part of Heading 0304, which covers fish fillets and other fish meat. Subheading 0304.95 is a specific category for frozen fish meat (often minced) of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae, and Muraenolepididae. These families include common whitefish like cod, haddock, and hake. The classification is used for meat that has been removed from the bone but is not in fillet form, such as minced blocks used for further processing into fish sticks or patties. It specifically excludes Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), which is classified under 0304.94. The product must be frozen to qualify for this code. This classification is vital for the industrial seafood sector, where minced fish meat is a primary raw material for value-added products. Accurate classification ensures that species-specific trade restrictions and duty rates are correctly applied.

Products Included

• Frozen minced cod meat (Gadus morhua)
• Frozen minced haddock meat (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
• Frozen minced hake meat (Merluccius spp.)
• Frozen whitefish meat blocks (excluding Alaska Pollock)

Common Misclassification

A common error is classifying this product under HS code 0304.94, which is specifically for Alaska Pollock meat. While Alaska Pollock is a whitefish in the Gadidae family, it has its own dedicated subheading. Another mistake is using 0304.71 (frozen cod fillets) or other fillet codes. Heading 0304 distinguishes between \"fillets\" and \"other fish meat\" (such as minced meat). If the product is minced or does not meet the structural definition of a fillet, it must be classified in the 0304.9x series.

FAQ

What is the HS code for frozen minced whitefish?

The HS code for frozen minced whitefish meat (from the Gadidae and related families, excluding Alaska Pollock) is 0304.95.

Why is Alaska Pollock excluded from 0304.95?

Alaska Pollock is excluded because it is one of the most heavily traded fish species and has been assigned its own specific HS code, 0304.94, to allow for better tracking and regulation.