Product classification
HS code for Frozen yellowfin tuna: 0303.42
Fish, frozen, yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99.
Classification of frozen yellowfin tuna under HS 0303.42
Frozen yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is classified under HS code 0303.42. This code is situated within Chapter 3, which covers fish and crustaceans. Heading 0303 specifically refers to fish, frozen, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304. The classification 0303.42 is species-specific, requiring the fish to be identified as yellowfin tuna. It includes whole fish, as well as fish that have been gilled and gutted, or had their heads and fins removed, provided they have not been filleted or cut into steaks. The "frozen" state is defined by the product being cooled to a temperature that preserves it by freezing it through to the core. This classification is vital for international fisheries management and the enforcement of conservation measures, such as those set by the ICCAT or IATTC. Because yellowfin tuna is a high-value commodity, precise classification ensures that trade data is accurate for sustainability monitoring and that the correct tariffs are applied based on the species and processing level.
- Covers
- Frozen whole yellowfin tuna
- Frozen gilled and gutted (G&G) yellowfin tuna
- Frozen headed and gutted (H&G) yellowfin tuna
- Frozen yellowfin tuna with fins removed
- Frozen yellowfin tuna (round weight)
- Also under 0303.42
- Thai Union (raw material)
- Dongwon (raw material)
- Tri Marine (raw material)
Codes often confused with 0303.42
Common mistake. Yellowfin tuna is frequently misclassified with other tuna species. For example, Albacore is 0303.41 and Skipjack is 0303.43. Another major area of confusion is the processing level; if the tuna is cut into fillets or steaks, it must be classified under 0304.87. If the tuna is fresh or chilled rather than frozen, it falls under 0302.32. Finally, canned yellowfin tuna is classified under 1604.14, as it is a prepared or preserved product.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030342 (the code used for frozen yellowfin tuna), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030342 (the code used for frozen yellowfin tuna) in UN Comtrade data was Taiwan, with about 11% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 20% 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 030342, not only frozen yellowfin tuna.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Taiwan* ~$120M 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Indonesia $120M 11% of world exports
- 3 Spain $97M 9.0% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Thailand $264M 20% of world imports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$202M 15% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Spain $168M 13% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 yellowfin tuna
Brazil classifies frozen yellowfin tuna under NCM 0303.42.00: HS 0303.42 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about frozen yellowfin tuna
What is the HS code for Frozen yellowfin tuna?
The HS code for Frozen yellowfin tuna is 030342 (Fish; frozen, yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99). The HS code for frozen yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is 0303.42.
How do I classify Frozen yellowfin tuna for customs?
Frozen yellowfin tuna is classified under HS code 030342 — Fish; frozen, yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares), 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.
What code is used for frozen yellowfin tuna fillets?
Frozen yellowfin tuna fillets are classified under HS code 0304.87, as heading 0304 specifically covers fish fillets and other fish meat.
Which countries are the top exporters of frozen yellowfin tuna (HS 030342)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030342 (the code used for frozen yellowfin tuna) in UN Comtrade data were Taiwan (about $120M, 11% of world exports), Indonesia ($120M) and Spain ($97M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 yellowfin tuna (HS 030342)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030342 (the code used for frozen yellowfin tuna) in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($264M, 20% of world imports), Vietnam (about $202M) and Spain ($168M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 yellowfin tuna the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030342 for Frozen yellowfin tuna 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 yellowfin tuna in Brazil?
In Brazil, frozen yellowfin tuna (HS 030342) is classified under NCM 0303.42.00.