Product classification
HS code for Salted fish roe: 0305.20
Fish, livers, roes and milt of fish, dried, smoked, salted or in brine.
Classification of salted fish roe under HS 0305.20
Salted fish roe is classified under HS code 0305.20. This classification is part of Chapter 03, which covers fish and crustaceans. Heading 0305 is dedicated to fish that has been dried, salted, or in brine, as well as smoked fish. Subheading 0305.20 specifically addresses the livers, roes, and milt of fish that have undergone these preservation methods. The classification is determined by the state of the product: it must be more than just 'chilled' or 'frozen' (which fall under 0302 or 0303), but it must not be so processed that it becomes 'prepared or preserved' (which falls under Chapter 16). Salted roe in 0305.20 is typically a raw product that has been stabilized with salt for long-term storage or as a preliminary step before further culinary use. The essential character is defined by the preservation method (salting) and the biological nature of the product (roe). This code is used globally for bulk salted roe traded for further processing into spreads or specialized delicacies.
- Covers
- Salted salmon roe (Sujiko) intended for further processing.
- Dried and salted mullet roe, often known as Bottarga.
- Salted cod roe used as a base for taramasalata.
- Salted herring roe used in traditional Japanese cuisine.
- Brined fish milt preserved for transport.
- Also under 0305.20
- Bottarga (mullet roe)
- Tarama (cod roe spread)
- smoked herring roe
- salted cod milt
- Keta salmon roe (ikura)
- Icelandic dried cod liver.
Codes often confused with 0305.20
Common mistake. Salted fish roe is frequently misclassified under HS code 1604.31 or 1604.32. These codes are for caviar and caviar substitutes that have been 'prepared'—meaning they have been seasoned, flavored, or packaged for direct consumption as a finished food product. Another common error is using 0303.91, which is for frozen fish roe. The distinction lies in the salt content; if the roe is preserved primarily by salt rather than cold, 0305.20 is the correct choice. Finally, fresh roe still inside the fish is classified with the fish itself in 0302.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030520 (the code used for salted fish roe), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030520 (the code used for salted fish roe) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 47% 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 030520, not only salted fish roe.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $33M 19% of world exports
- 2 China $30M 17% of world exports
- 3 Peru* ~$20M 12% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $171M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $93M 47% of world imports
- 2 China $23M 12% of world imports
- 3 Sweden $13M 6.9% of world imports
World total: $197M 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 codes for salted fish roe
Brazil splits HS 0305.20 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 0305.20.10Dried, salted or smoked mullet roe
- 0305.20.90Other cured fish livers, roes and milt
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about salted fish roe
What is the HS code for Salted fish roe?
The HS code for Salted fish roe is 030520 (Fish; livers, roes and milt of fish, dried, smoked, salted or in brine). The HS code for salted fish roe is 0305.20. This applies to roe that has been salted or dried but not otherwise prepared as caviar.
How do I classify Salted fish roe for customs?
Salted fish roe is classified under HS code 030520 — Fish; livers, roes and milt of fish, dried, smoked, salted or in brine. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is Bottarga classified under this code?
Yes, Bottarga, which is the dried and salted pouch of fish roe, is typically classified under 0305.20 because it is preserved through drying and salting without the additions that would move it to Chapter 16.
Which countries are the top exporters of salted fish roe (HS 030520)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030520 (the code used for salted fish roe) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($33M, 19% of world exports), China ($30M) and Peru (about $20M). World exports came to about $171M, 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 fish roe (HS 030520)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030520 (the code used for salted fish roe) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($93M, 47% of world imports), China ($23M) and Sweden ($13M). World imports came to about $197M, 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 fish roe the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030520 for Salted fish roe 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 fish roe in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 030520 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for salted fish roe depends on the product's details: 0305.20.10 (Dried, salted or smoked mullet roe), 0305.20.90 (Other cured fish livers, roes and milt).