Product classification
HS code for Pickled herring: 1604.12
Fish preparations, herrings, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced).
Classification of pickled herring under HS 1604.12
Pickled herring is classified under HS code 1604.12. This classification falls within Chapter 16, which covers preparations of meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebrates. Heading 1604 specifically addresses prepared or preserved fish. The classification of herring under 1604.12 is based on the fact that the fish has undergone a preservation process beyond simple chilling, freezing, or salting. Pickling involves treating the fish with vinegar, salt, and often sugar or spices, which changes the chemical nature of the flesh. According to the Chapter 3 notes, fish that has been prepared or preserved by processes not provided for in heading 0302 to 0305 (such as pickling in vinegar) must be classified in heading 1604. Subheading 1604.12 is the specific destination for herring prepared in this manner, provided it is whole or in pieces but not minced.
- Covers
- Rollmops (herring fillets wrapped around pickles)
- Bismarck herring in vinegar brine
- Soused herring (if prepared with vinegar)
- Herring fillets in wine or cream sauce (containing vinegar)
- Pickled herring tidbits
- Also under 1604.12
- Roland Pickled Herring
- Brunswick Sardines (sometimes herring)
- King Oscar Kipper Snacks
- Vita Herring Fillets
- various Scandinavian brands of pickled herring
Codes often confused with 1604.12
Common mistake. Pickled herring is frequently misclassified under heading 0305, which covers salted or brined fish. However, 0305 is only for fish preserved simply by salt or in a plain salt brine. Once vinegar or acetic acid is added to the preservation liquid, the product moves to 1604.12. Another misclassification occurs with 1604.20, which is for "other prepared or preserved fish." This code should only be used if the herring is minced or made into a paste; if the herring remains in recognizable pieces or fillets, 1604.12 is the correct, more specific code.
Top exporters and importers of HS 160412 (the code used for pickled herring), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 160412 (the code used for pickled herring) in UN Comtrade data was Poland, with 39% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 36% 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 160412, not only pickled herring.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Poland $208M 39% of world exports
- 2 Denmark $90M 17% of world exports
- 3 Norway $46M 8.6% of world exports
World total: $534M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $200M 36% of world imports
- 2 Poland $75M 14% of world imports
- 3 United States $48M 8.8% of world imports
World total: $552M 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 pickled herring
Brazil classifies pickled herring under NCM 1604.12.00: HS 1604.12 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about pickled herring
What is the HS code for Pickled herring?
The HS code for Pickled herring is 160412 (Fish preparations; herrings, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)). The standard HS code for pickled herring (whole or in pieces) is 1604.12.
How do I classify Pickled herring for customs?
Pickled herring is classified under HS code 160412 — Fish preparations; herrings, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is fermented herring (Surströmming) classified here?
No, fermented herring is typically classified under 1604.20 or 0305 depending on the specific processing method and regional customs rulings, as it differs significantly from standard vinegar-pickled herring.
Which countries are the top exporters of pickled herring (HS 160412)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 160412 (the code used for pickled herring) in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($208M, 39% of world exports), Denmark ($90M) and Norway ($46M). World exports came to about $534M, 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 pickled herring (HS 160412)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 160412 (the code used for pickled herring) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($200M, 36% of world imports), Poland ($75M) and the United States ($48M). World imports came to about $552M, 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 Pickled herring the same in all countries?
The base HS code 160412 for Pickled herring 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 pickled herring in Brazil?
In Brazil, pickled herring (HS 160412) is classified under NCM 1604.12.00.