Product classification
HS code for Smoked fish: 0305.49
Fish, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.4, includes fillets, but excludes edible fish offal.
Classification of smoked fish under HS 0305.49
The classification of smoked fish under HS code 0305.49 is governed by the General Rules for the Interpretation (GRI) of the Harmonized System. Heading 0305 specifically covers fish that has been dried, salted, or in brine, as well as fish that has been smoked. Within this heading, the subheadings are organized by species. Subheading 0305.49 serves as the residual or "basket" category for smoked fish species that do not have their own specific subheading. To qualify for this classification, the fish must be smoked, and this process may occur before or during cooking. However, the product must not be prepared or preserved to the extent that it falls under Chapter 16, which covers more complex preparations. The inclusion of fillets is permitted under this code, provided they have undergone the smoking process. Edible fish offal is specifically excluded from this subheading and is classified elsewhere. The classification process requires identifying the species first; if the species is not listed in 0305.41 through 0305.44, 0305.49 is the correct designation for all other smoked fish varieties.
- Covers
- Smoked mackerel
- Smoked trout (if not under 0305.43)
- Smoked eel
- Smoked tilapia
- Smoked catfish
- Smoked fillets of various non-specified species
- Smoked halibut
- Also under 0305.49
- Acme Smoked Sablefish
- Scottish Smoked Haddock
- Russian Smoked Sturgeon
- Norwegian Smoked Mackerel
- Alaskan Smoked Whitefish
Codes often confused with 0305.49
Common mistake. Smoked fish is frequently misclassified under Heading 1604, which covers prepared or preserved fish. The distinction lies in the level of processing; if the fish is merely smoked, it remains in 0305.49, but if it is preserved in oil, vinegar, or sauces, or if it is part of a ready-to-eat meal, it moves to 1604. Additionally, specific species must be excluded from 0305.49: Pacific salmon (0305.41), Atlantic herring (0305.42), and Trout (0305.43) all have dedicated codes.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030549 (the code used for smoked fish), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030549 (the code used for smoked fish) in UN Comtrade data was Poland, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 19% 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 030549, not only smoked fish.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Poland $36M 19% of world exports
- 2 China $25M 13% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $24M 13% of world exports
World total: $191M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $32M 19% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $20M 12% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $14M 8.0% of world imports
World total: $171M 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 smoked fish
Brazil splits HS 0305.49 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 0305.49.10Smoked cod
- 0305.49.20Smoked saithe, ling and tusk
- 0305.49.90Other smoked fish
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about smoked fish
What is the HS code for Smoked fish?
The HS code for Smoked fish is 030549 (Fish; smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.4, includes fillets, but excludes edible fish offal). The HS code for smoked fish not elsewhere specified is 0305.49.
How do I classify Smoked fish for customs?
Smoked fish is classified under HS code 030549 — Fish; smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking, n.e.c. in item no. 0305.4, includes fillets, but excludes edible fish offal. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include smoked fish that has been cooked?
Yes, HS code 0305.49 includes fish that has been smoked, whether or not it was cooked before or during the smoking process.
Which countries are the top exporters of smoked fish (HS 030549)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030549 (the code used for smoked fish) in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($36M, 19% of world exports), China ($25M) and the Netherlands ($24M). World exports came to about $191M, 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 smoked fish (HS 030549)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030549 (the code used for smoked fish) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($32M, 19% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($20M) and South Korea ($14M). World imports 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.
Is the HS code for Smoked fish the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030549 for Smoked fish 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 smoked fish in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 030549 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for smoked fish depends on the product's details: 0305.49.10 (Smoked cod), 0305.49.20 (Smoked saithe, ling and tusk), 0305.49.90 (Other smoked fish).