Product classification
HS code for Mule meat: 0205.00
Meat, of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen.
Classification of mule meat under HS 0205.00
Mule meat is classified under HS code 0205.00, which is a specific heading for the meat of horses, asses, mules, or hinnies. This classification is part of Chapter 2, which covers meat and edible meat offal. Unlike other types of meat like bovine (0201/0202) or swine (0203), which have multiple subheadings based on whether the meat is fresh, chilled, or frozen, heading 0205.00 is a single, comprehensive code that covers all these states for equine and related animal meats. The classification is straightforward because the heading text explicitly names mules. This heading applies to the carcasses, half-carcasses, and cuts of the animal, provided they are fresh, chilled, or frozen. It does not include meat that has been prepared or preserved (such as salted, dried, or smoked), which would move the product to heading 0210. The use of 0205.00 ensures that equine meats are tracked separately from traditional livestock, which is important for food safety regulations and cultural trade restrictions in various countries. Customs officials require documentation verifying the species of the meat to ensure it is not being mislabeled as beef or other more common meats.
- Covers
- Fresh mule carcasses
- Chilled mule meat cuts
- Frozen mule meat
- Edible mule meat portions
- Also under 0205.00
- Chevaline (French horse meat)
- Belgian horse meat products
- Italian horse meat specialties
Codes often confused with 0205.00
Common mistake. Mule meat is sometimes misclassified under HS code 0201 or 0202 (beef) by error, or under 0206 if it is edible offal rather than muscle meat. If the meat has been salted, dried, or smoked, it must be classified under HS code 0210.99 instead of 0205.00.
Top exporters and importers of HS 020500 (the code used for mule meat), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 020500 (the code used for mule meat) in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 45% 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 020500, not only mule meat.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Belgium $58M 18% of world exports
- 2 Poland $53M 16% of world exports
- 3 Spain $33M 9.9% of world exports
World total: $333M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $185M 45% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $64M 15% of world imports
- 3 Japan $36M 8.8% of world imports
World total: $413M 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 code for mule meat
Brazil classifies mule meat under NCM 0205.00.00: HS 0205.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about mule meat
What is the HS code for Mule meat?
The HS code for Mule meat is 020500 (Meat; of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen). The HS code for fresh, chilled, or frozen mule meat is 0205.00.
How do I classify Mule meat for customs?
Mule meat is classified under HS code 020500 — Meat; of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include mule offal?
No, edible offal from mules is classified under HS code 0206.80 or 0206.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of mule meat (HS 020500)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 020500 (the code used for mule meat) in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($58M, 18% of world exports), Poland ($53M) and Spain ($33M). World exports came to about $333M, 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 mule meat (HS 020500)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 020500 (the code used for mule meat) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($185M, 45% of world imports), Belgium ($64M) and Japan ($36M). World imports came to about $413M, 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 Mule meat the same in all countries?
The base HS code 020500 for Mule meat 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 mule meat in Brazil?
In Brazil, mule meat (HS 020500) is classified under NCM 0205.00.00.