Product classification

HS code for Salted cod: 0305.62

Fish, salted or in brine, not dried or smoked, other than edible fish offal, cod (Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Gadus macrocephalus).

Classification of salted cod under HS 0305.62

HS code 030562 is specifically designated for cod of the species Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, and Gadus macrocephalus that have been preserved through salting or immersion in brine. To qualify for this classification, the fish must not have undergone any drying or smoking processes. The preservation method relies on the osmotic effect of salt to reduce water activity, thereby preventing microbial growth. This classification is distinct from fresh or chilled cod because the salt content must be high enough to ensure preservation during transport and storage without refrigeration. The fish may be presented whole, headless, or in pieces, provided they are not fillets. The distinction between salted fish and dried fish is based on the moisture content and the physical state of the product; salted cod remains moist and pliable, whereas dried cod (stockfish) is hard and brittle. Accurate classification is essential for adhering to international trade regulations and ensuring that the correct tariffs and sanitary controls are applied to these seafood products.

Covers
  • Whole salted Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
  • Salted Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) in brine
  • Headed and gutted salted Greenland cod (Gadus ogac)
  • Salted cod pieces (excluding fillets)
  • Wet-salted cod stored in barrels
Also under 0305.62
  • Bacalhau Giraldo
  • Icelandic Salted Cod
  • Fjordland Salted Cod
  • Gadus morhua salted fillets.

Codes often confused with 0305.62

Common mistake. Salted cod is frequently misclassified under HS code 030551, which is reserved for dried cod (stockfish). The primary difference is the moisture content; 030562 must be in brine or salted but not dried. Another common error is using 030532, which covers fish fillets. If the cod has been filleted (the meat removed from the bone), it must be classified under 030532 regardless of whether it is salted. Additionally, lightly salted cod that still requires constant refrigeration may sometimes be confused with fresh cod under 030251, but if the salt is intended for preservation rather than seasoning, 030562 is the correct heading.

0305.51Fish; dried, whether or not salted but not smoked, other than edible fish offal, cod (Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Gadus macrocephalus)0305.32Fish fillets; dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked, of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae and Muraenolepididae0302.51Fish; fresh or chilled, cod (Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Gadus macrocephalus), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99

Top exporters and importers of HS 030562 (the code used for salted cod), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030562 (the code used for salted cod) in UN Comtrade data was Norway, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Portugal, 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 030562, not only salted cod.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Norway $208M
  2. 2 Iceland $185M
  3. 3 Sweden $156M

World total: $711M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Portugal $343M
  2. 2 Sweden $152M
  3. 3 Spain $121M

World total: $761M 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 salted cod

Brazil classifies salted cod under NCM 0305.62.00: HS 0305.62 with 00 added.

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

Questions about salted cod

What is the HS code for Salted cod?

The HS code for Salted cod is 030562 (Fish; salted or in brine, not dried or smoked, other than edible fish offal, cod (Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Gadus macrocephalus)). The HS code for salted cod (not dried or smoked) is 030562. This applies to species such as Gadus morhua and Gadus macrocephalus.

How do I classify Salted cod for customs?

Salted cod is classified under HS code 030562 — Fish; salted or in brine, not dried or smoked, other than edible fish offal, cod (Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Gadus macrocephalus). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code include salted cod fillets?

No, salted cod fillets are classified under HS code 030532. Code 030562 is for whole fish or pieces that are not fillets.

Which countries are the top exporters of salted cod (HS 030562)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030562 (the code used for salted cod) in UN Comtrade data were Norway ($208M, 29% of world exports), Iceland ($185M) and Sweden ($156M). World exports came to about $711M, 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 salted cod (HS 030562)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 030562 (the code used for salted cod) in UN Comtrade data were Portugal ($343M, 45% of world imports), Sweden ($152M) and Spain ($121M). World imports came to about $761M, 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 Salted cod the same in all countries?

The base HS code 030562 for Salted cod 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 salted cod in Brazil?

In Brazil, salted cod (HS 030562) is classified under NCM 0305.62.00.