Product classification

HS code for Preserved sardinella: 1604.13

Fish preparations, sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced).

Classification of preserved sardinella under HS 1604.13

Preserved sardinella is classified under HS code 1604.13. This classification is situated within Chapter 16, which governs the preparation of fish and aquatic invertebrates. Heading 1604 covers prepared or preserved fish, and subheading 1604.13 specifically groups sardines, sardinella, and brisling or sprats. To qualify for this code, the sardinella must be prepared or preserved whole or in pieces, but not minced. Common preparation methods include canning in oil, brine, tomato sauce, or other media. The classification is determined by the species of the fish and the fact that it has undergone processing (such as cooking or marinating) that exceeds the simple preservation methods found in Chapter 3.

Covers
  • Canned sardinella in vegetable oil
  • Sardinella in tomato sauce or chili
  • Marinated sardinella fillets
  • Sardinella preserved in brine
  • Fried sardinella in airtight containers
  • Sardinella chunks in vinegar
Also under 1604.13
  • King Oscar Sardines
  • Brunswick Sardines
  • Chicken of the Sea Sardines
  • Season Brand Sardines
  • Riga Gold Smoked Sprats

Codes often confused with 1604.13

Common mistake. Preserved sardinella is often confused with other fish preparations in the same heading. For instance, preserved salmon (1604.11) or preserved tunas (1604.14) are frequently mixed up in documentation. More importantly, fresh or chilled sardinella falls under 0302.43, and frozen sardinella falls under 0303.53. If the fish is only salted or in brine but not cooked or prepared in a sauce, it might be incorrectly placed in 0305. Additionally, if the sardinella is minced or made into a spread, it should be classified under 1604.20 instead of 1604.13.

1604.11Fish preparations; salmon, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)1604.14Fish preparations; tunas, skipjack tuna and bonito (Sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)0302.43Fish; fresh or chilled, sardines (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp.), sardinella (Sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (Sprattus sprattus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.990303.53Fish; frozen, sardines (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp.), sardinella (Sardinella spp.), brisling or sprats (Sprattus sprattus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.9903.05Fish, dried, salted or in brine; smoked fish, whether or not cooked before, or during the smoking process1604.20Fish preparations; fish minced or in forms n.e.c. in heading no. 1604, prepared or preserved

Top exporters and importers of HS 160413 (the code used for preserved sardinella), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 160413 (the code used for preserved sardinella) in UN Comtrade data was Morocco, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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 160413, not only preserved sardinella.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Morocco $671M
  2. 2 China $451M
  3. 3 Thailand $148M

World total: $2.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $234M
  2. 2 France $112M
  3. 3 South Africa $77M

World total: $1.7B 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 codes for preserved sardinella

Brazil splits HS 1604.13 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 1604.13.10Prepared or preserved sardines, not minced
  • 1604.13.90Prepared sardinella, brisling or sprats

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about preserved sardinella

What is the HS code for Preserved sardinella?

The HS code for Preserved sardinella is 160413 (Fish preparations; sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)). The specific HS code for prepared or preserved sardinella is 1604.13.

How do I classify Preserved sardinella for customs?

Preserved sardinella is classified under HS code 160413 — Fish preparations; sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is there a different code for sardinella in oil versus brine?

No, both sardinella in oil and sardinella in brine are classified under 1604.13, as the code covers various preservation media.

Which countries are the top exporters of preserved sardinella (HS 160413)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 160413 (the code used for preserved sardinella) in UN Comtrade data were Morocco ($671M, 33% of world exports), China ($451M) and Thailand ($148M). World exports came to about $2.0B, 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 preserved sardinella (HS 160413)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 160413 (the code used for preserved sardinella) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($234M, 14% of world imports), France ($112M) and South Africa ($77M). World imports came to about $1.7B, 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 Preserved sardinella the same in all countries?

The base HS code 160413 for Preserved sardinella 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 preserved sardinella in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 160413 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for preserved sardinella depends on the product's details: 1604.13.10 (Prepared or preserved sardines, not minced), 1604.13.90 (Prepared sardinella, brisling or sprats).