Product classification
HS code for Prepared lamb: 1602.90
Meat preparations, of meat, meat offal or the blood of any animal, n.e.c. in heading no. 1602.
Classification of prepared lamb under HS 1602.90
Prepared lamb is classified under HS code 1602.90. This classification is found in Chapter 16, which covers preparations of meat, fish, or other aquatic invertebrates. Heading 1602 is for "other prepared or preserved meat, meat offal or blood." The structure of 1602 includes specific subheadings for poultry, swine, and bovine meat, but lamb (meat of sheep) falls into the residual category 1602.90, which covers "other, including preparations of blood of any animal." To be classified under Chapter 16 rather than Chapter 2 (which covers fresh, chilled, or frozen meat), the lamb must have undergone processing that goes beyond the basic butchery processes. This includes cooking (boiling, steaming, grilling, roasting, or frying), seasoning, or being finely homogenized and prepared as a meat paste. Additionally, Chapter 16 applies to meat that has been prepared or preserved by processes not provided for in Chapter 2, such as canning or the addition of significant amounts of other ingredients, provided the preparation contains more than 20% by weight of meat or offal. This classification ensures that value-added food products are distinguished from raw agricultural commodities in international trade statistics and tariff applications.
- Covers
- Cooked lamb meat (e.g., roasted or boiled)
- Canned lamb stew (with >20% meat)
- Seasoned and pre-formed lamb patties
- Prepared lamb offal or blood products
- Lamb-based meat pastes
- Also under 1602.90
- Tyson Canned Chicken
- Fray Bentos Steak & Kidney Pudding
- Goya Chicken Pâté
- various regional blood sausages
- Bernard Matthews Turkey Roast
Codes often confused with 1602.90
Common mistake. Prepared lamb is often misclassified under Chapter 2 (e.g., 0204.10 to 0204.43) if the user does not realize that seasoning or cooking moves the product to Chapter 16. Another common error is using 1602.50, which is specifically for prepared or preserved meat of bovine animals (beef). It is critical to distinguish between sheep (lamb/mutton) and bovine sources to ensure the correct application of 1602.90.
Top exporters and importers of HS 160290 (the code used for prepared lamb), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 160290 (the code used for prepared lamb) in UN Comtrade data was the United Arab Emirates, with about 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 12% 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 160290, not only prepared lamb.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United Arab Emirates* ~$68M 14% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Mongolia* ~$61M 13% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 China $50M 11% of world exports
World total: $473M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $60M 12% of world imports
- 2 Saudi Arabia $49M 9.9% of world imports
- 3 Kuwait $45M 9.1% of world imports
World total: $499M 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. 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 lamb
Brazil classifies prepared lamb under NCM 1602.90.00: HS 1602.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
Questions about prepared lamb
What is the HS code for Prepared lamb?
The HS code for Prepared lamb is 160290 (Meat preparations; of meat, meat offal or the blood of any animal, n.e.c. in heading no. 1602). The HS code for prepared or preserved lamb is 1602.90.
How do I classify Prepared lamb for customs?
Prepared lamb is classified under HS code 160290 — Meat preparations; of meat, meat offal or the blood of any animal, n.e.c. in heading no. 1602. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
When does lamb move from Chapter 2 to Chapter 16?
Lamb moves to Chapter 16 once it has been cooked, seasoned, or prepared in a way that exceeds the simple preservation methods (chilling, freezing, salting, drying, or smoking) allowed in Chapter 2.
Which countries are the top exporters of prepared lamb (HS 160290)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 160290 (the code used for prepared lamb) in UN Comtrade data were the United Arab Emirates (about $68M, 14% of world exports), Mongolia (about $61M) and China ($50M). World exports came to about $473M, 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 lamb (HS 160290)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 160290 (the code used for prepared lamb) in UN Comtrade data were China ($60M, 12% of world imports), Saudi Arabia ($49M) and Kuwait ($45M). World imports came to about $499M, 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 lamb the same in all countries?
The base HS code 160290 for Prepared lamb 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 lamb in Brazil?
In Brazil, prepared lamb (HS 160290) is classified under NCM 1602.90.00.