Product classification

HS code for Salted hake fillets: 0305.32

Fish fillets, dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked, of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae and Muraenolepididae.

Classification of salted hake fillets under HS 0305.32

The classification of salted hake fillets under HS code 0305.32 is determined by the specific processing methods and the biological taxonomy of the fish. Heading 0305 is reserved for fish that is dried, salted, or in brine, as well as smoked fish. Within this heading, subheading 0305.32 specifically addresses fish fillets that have been dried, salted, or preserved in brine but have not undergone the smoking process. According to the General Rules for the Interpretation (GRI) of the Harmonized System, products must be classified according to the terms of the headings and subheadings. For this code, the fish must belong to specific families, including Merlucciidae, which encompasses all hake species. The term "fillets" refers to the strips of meat cut parallel to the backbone of the fish, consisting of the right or left side, provided that the head, viscera, fins, and bones have been removed. The salting process must be sufficient to ensure preservation, distinguishing these fillets from fresh or chilled fillets that might have a negligible amount of salt for seasoning. This code is essential for customs authorities to apply the correct tariffs and monitor trade volumes of processed whitefish.

Covers
  • Salted Cape hake fillets
  • Salted European hake fillets
  • Salted Argentine hake fillets
  • Brine-preserved hake fillets
  • Dried and salted hake fillets
Also under 0305.32
  • Bacalao (salted cod) in Portugal/Spain
  • dried hake in Brazil
  • salted pollock in various markets
  • Icelandic dried cod fillets
  • Norwegian clipfish.

Codes often confused with 0305.32

Common mistake. Salted hake fillets are frequently confused with fresh or chilled fillets under 0304.44 or frozen fillets under 0304.74. The distinction lies in the preservation method; 0305.32 requires the fish to be salted or in brine. Additionally, if the hake is salted but remains whole or in pieces that are not fillets, it should be classified under 0305.67. Smoked hake fillets are classified under 0305.49.

0304.44Fish fillets; fresh or chilled, of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae, and Muraenolepididae0304.74Fish fillets; frozen, hake (Merluccius spp., Urophycis spp.)0305.49Fish; smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.4, includes fillets, but excludes edible fish offal

Top exporters and importers of HS 030532 (the code used for salted hake fillets), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030532 (the code used for salted hake fillets) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 26% 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 030532, not only salted hake fillets.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $119M
  2. 2 Iceland $57M
  3. 3 Faroe Islands* ~$29M

World total: $319M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Italy $80M
  2. 2 United States $53M
  3. 3 Spain $50M

World total: $304M 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 hake fillets

Brazil splits HS 0305.32 into 4 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

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

Questions about salted hake fillets

What is the HS code for Salted hake fillets?

The HS code for Salted hake fillets is 030532 (Fish fillets; dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked, of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae and Muraenolepididae). The HS code for salted hake fillets is 0305.32, which covers fillets of the family Merlucciidae that are dried, salted, or in brine.

How do I classify Salted hake fillets for customs?

Salted hake fillets is classified under HS code 030532 — Fish fillets; dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked, of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Macrouridae, Melanonidae, Merlucciidae, Moridae and Muraenolepididae. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code include frozen salted fillets?

No, if the fillets are primarily preserved by freezing, they are classified under heading 0304. Code 0305.32 is for fillets where salting or drying is the primary preservation method.

Which countries are the top exporters of salted hake fillets (HS 030532)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030532 (the code used for salted hake fillets) in UN Comtrade data were China ($119M, 37% of world exports), Iceland ($57M) and the Faroe Islands (about $29M). World exports came to about $319M, 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 hake fillets (HS 030532)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 030532 (the code used for salted hake fillets) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($80M, 26% of world imports), the United States ($53M) and Spain ($50M). World imports came to about $304M, 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 hake fillets the same in all countries?

The base HS code 030532 for Salted hake fillets 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 hake fillets in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 030532 into 4 NCM codes, so the right one for salted hake fillets depends on the product's details: 0305.32.10 (Dried or salted cod fillets), 0305.32.20 (Dried or salted saithe fillets), 0305.32.30 (Dried or salted ling and tusk fillets), 0305.32.90 (Other dried or salted cod-like fish fillets).