Product classification
HS code for Prepared fish: 1604.19
Fish preparations, fish prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced), n.e.c. in heading no. 1604.
Classification of prepared fish under HS 1604.19
Prepared fish products that are whole or in pieces, but not minced, are classified under HS code 160419. This code falls within Chapter 16, which covers preparations of meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebrates. Classification under 160419 is appropriate when the fish has undergone processing beyond basic chilling, freezing, or simple salting. This includes cooking, steaming, grilling, frying, or preserving in oil, vinegar, or marinades. The sub-heading 160419 is a residual category for fish species not specifically named in other sub-headings of 1604, such as salmon, herring, sardines, or tuna. The essential requirement for this code is that the fish remains in identifiable pieces or whole forms rather than being reduced to a paste or mince.
- Covers
- Cooked fish fillets in vacuum packaging
- Fish preserved in marinade or brine (other than specified species)
- Breaded or battered fish portions (not minced)
- Fried or grilled fish ready-meals
- Canned fish pieces in oil (excluding tuna, sardines, and salmon)
- Also under 1604.19
- Bumble Bee Canned Tuna
- John West Sardines
- King Oscar Sardines
- Princes Mackerel Fillets
- Chicken of the Sea Tuna
- Vita Classic Smoked Salmon
Codes often confused with 1604.19
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs between 160419 and Chapter 03 (specifically 0304). Chapter 03 is reserved for fish that is fresh, chilled, or frozen but otherwise unprocessed. If the fish has been cooked or prepared with sauces, it must move to 1604. Another common error is using 160420, which is reserved for minced fish or fish sausages. If the product retains the anatomical structure of a fillet or piece, 160419 is the correct designation.
Top exporters and importers of HS 160419 (the code used for prepared fish), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 160419 (the code used for prepared fish) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 40% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 18% 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 160419, not only prepared fish.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $1.3B 40% of world exports
- 2 Germany $453M 14% of world exports
- 3 Poland $269M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $3.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $475M 18% of world imports
- 2 France $246M 9.4% of world imports
- 3 Germany $211M 8.1% of world imports
World total: $2.6B 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 prepared fish
Brazil classifies prepared fish under NCM 1604.19.00: HS 1604.19 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about prepared fish
What is the HS code for Prepared fish?
The HS code for Prepared fish is 160419 (Fish preparations; fish prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced), n.e.c. in heading no. 1604). The HS code for prepared or preserved fish (whole or in pieces, not elsewhere specified) is 160419.
How do I classify Prepared fish for customs?
Prepared fish is classified under HS code 160419 — Fish preparations; fish prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced), n.e.c. in heading no. 1604. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is frozen raw fish classified here?
No, raw frozen fish is classified under Chapter 03. HS code 160419 is only for fish that has been prepared, cooked, or preserved beyond the scope of Chapter 03.
Which countries are the top exporters of prepared fish (HS 160419)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 160419 (the code used for prepared fish) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.3B, 40% of world exports), Germany ($453M) and Poland ($269M). World exports came to about $3.3B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of prepared fish (HS 160419)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 160419 (the code used for prepared fish) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($475M, 18% of world imports), France ($246M) and Germany ($211M). World imports came to about $2.6B, 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 Prepared fish the same in all countries?
The base HS code 160419 for Prepared fish 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 prepared fish in Brazil?
In Brazil, prepared fish (HS 160419) is classified under NCM 1604.19.00.