Product classification

HS code for Tuna in oil: 1604.14

Fish preparations, tunas, skipjack tuna and bonito (Sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced).

Classification of tuna in oil under HS 1604.14

Tuna in oil is classified under HS code 1604.14, which falls within Chapter 16 of the Harmonized System. This chapter is dedicated to preparations of meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebrates. Heading 1604 specifically addresses prepared or preserved fish, including caviar and caviar substitutes. The subheading 1604.14 is reserved for tunas, skipjack, and bonito (Sarda spp.), provided they are prepared or preserved whole or in pieces, but not minced. The addition of oil as a packing medium is a common preservation method that does not change the primary classification of the fish under this heading. According to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System, prepared or preserved includes fish that has been boiled, steamed, grilled, fried, or otherwise cooked, as well as fish preserved in oil, vinegar, or brine. The distinction between whole or in pieces and minced is vital for correct classification. If the tuna were finely ground or made into a paste, it would shift to subheading 1604.20. The classification also depends on the species; only those belonging to the genera Thunnus, Euthynnus, or Sarda are permitted under 1604.14. This code is essential for ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and trade quotas.

Covers
  • Canned tuna chunks in vegetable oil
  • Tuna fillets preserved in olive oil
  • Skipjack tuna in sunflower oil
  • Canned bonito in oil
  • Jarred tuna steaks in oil
Also under 1604.14
  • Starkist Canned Tuna
  • Bumble Bee Canned Tuna
  • Chicken of the Sea Canned Tuna
  • Genova Tuna
  • Rio Mare Tuna

Codes often confused with 1604.14

Common mistake. Tuna in oil is often confused with 0303.41 through 0303.49, which cover fresh, chilled, or frozen tuna. However, once the fish is cooked or preserved in oil, it must move to Chapter 16. Another common error is 1604.20, which is used for minced fish or fish sausages, rather than whole pieces or chunks.

0303.41Fish; frozen, albacore or longfinned tunas (Thunnus alalunga), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.990303.49Fish; frozen, tuna, n.e.c. in item no. 0303.4, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.991604.20Fish preparations; fish minced or in forms n.e.c. in heading no. 1604, prepared or preserved

Top exporters and importers of HS 160414 (the code used for tuna in oil), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 160414 (the code used for tuna in oil) in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 12% 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 160414, not only tuna in oil.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Thailand $2.5B
  2. 2 Ecuador $1.7B
  3. 3 China $917M

World total: $9.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $1.2B
  2. 2 Spain $1.0B
  3. 3 Italy $1.0B

World total: $9.8B 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 tuna in oil

Brazil splits HS 1604.14 into 3 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 tuna in oil

What is the HS code for Tuna in oil?

The HS code for Tuna in oil is 160414 (Fish preparations; tunas, skipjack tuna and bonito (Sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)). The HS code for tuna prepared or preserved in oil (whole or in pieces) is 1604.14.

How do I classify Tuna in oil for customs?

Tuna in oil is classified under HS code 160414 — Fish preparations; tunas, skipjack tuna and bonito (Sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is skipjack tuna classified under the same code?

Yes, skipjack tuna and bonito are specifically included in the same subheading 1604.14 as tuna.

Which countries are the top exporters of tuna in oil (HS 160414)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 160414 (the code used for tuna in oil) in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($2.5B, 25% of world exports), Ecuador ($1.7B) and China ($917M). World exports came to about $9.9B, 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 tuna in oil (HS 160414)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 160414 (the code used for tuna in oil) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.2B, 12% of world imports), Spain ($1.0B) and Italy ($1.0B). World imports came to about $9.8B, 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 Tuna in oil the same in all countries?

The base HS code 160414 for Tuna in oil 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 tuna in oil in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 160414 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for tuna in oil depends on the product's details: 1604.14.10 (Prepared or preserved tuna, not minced), 1604.14.20 (Prepared or preserved skipjack tuna, not minced), 1604.14.30 (Prepared or preserved bonito).