Fish; live (heading 0301): importing markets
HS 0301 covers live fish, from ornamental species to fish for farming or consumption. In 2025, South Korea, China and Hong Kong each reported imports…
Published on 1 October 2026Updated on 1 October 2026
HS 0301 covers live fish, from ornamental species to fish for farming or consumption. In 2025, South Korea, China and Hong Kong each reported imports above USD 300 million, according to UN Comtrade. Spain also appears among the main importers. For a company exporting from Spain, the key steps are choosing the right subheading and checking the rules of the destination.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 1 October 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 0301
- Chapter
- 03 · Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates
- Subheadings
- 9
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 360,532,138 |
| China | 341,073,794 |
| Hong Kong SAR China | 307,903,509 |
| Japan | 301,080,700 |
| Spain | 120,774,970 |
| United States | 105,706,758 |
| Germany | 80,484,249 |
| Malta | 77,739,167 |
| Italy | 50,760,165 |
| Cambodia | 39,560,692 |
| France | 38,194,191 |
| Canada | 36,881,533 |
| Singapore | 29,788,141 |
| United Kingdom | 29,584,447 |
| Austria | 25,401,322 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 1 October 2026
What to know before exporting live fish from Spain
HS 0301 is the heading for live fish within chapter 03. It is divided into 9 subheadings, as the fact sheet shows. The correct subheading depends on the species and on its use, for example ornamental fish or fish for other purposes. Classifying the product at subheading level is the first step, because duties, statistics and import conditions are tied to it.
The importing markets in the table are concentrated in East Asia. South Korea, China, Hong Kong SAR China and Japan head the ranking for 2025. The figures are imports declared by each country from the world, not purchases from Spain. They show where demand is, not how much Spanish exporters sell there.
For a company exporting from Spain, the tariff depends on the subheading, the destination and any agreement in force between the EU and that country. It is checked in Access2Markets, the European Commission tool for exporters, which also lists rules of origin and product requirements by country.
Live animals are subject to health controls. The certificates and veterinary conditions required depend on the species, the destination and the border inspection rules of the importing country. Confirm them with the competent authority of the destination and with the Spanish export health services before agreeing a delivery date.
Live shipments are time-sensitive. Transit time, packaging and the handling of the animals affect the viability of the goods, so the choice of destination should consider logistics as well as the size of the market. A large importer is not necessarily the easiest one to serve from Spain.
Frequently asked questions
What products does HS 0301 cover?
HS 0301 covers live fish. It is part of chapter 03, which also includes crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. The heading has 9 subheadings that separate species and uses, so the exact subheading must be chosen before quoting or declaring the goods.
Which countries import the most live fish under HS 0301?
According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, the largest importers are South Korea (USD 360.5 million), China (USD 341.1 million), Hong Kong SAR China (USD 307.9 million) and Japan (USD 301.1 million). Spain follows with USD 120.8 million.
Do these figures show how much Spain exports?
No. The table shows what each country declares as imports from the world. It does not break down the origin of the goods, so it cannot be read as Spanish sales to those markets.
Where can a Spanish exporter check the tariff for a live fish shipment?
In Access2Markets, the European Commission portal. The duty depends on the subheading, the destination country and the trade agreement between the EU and that country. Searching by the full code of the product gives the applicable conditions.
Are health certificates required to export live fish?
Live animals normally face health controls at import, but the exact certificates depend on the species and the destination. The importing country's authority sets the conditions, so they should be checked before the shipment is agreed.
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