Fish; fresh or chilled, excluding fish… (heading 0302): importing markets
HS 0302 covers fresh or chilled whole fish, excluding fillets and other fish meat, which fall under heading 0304. In 2025 UN Comtrade data, Sweden, the…
Published on 1 October 2026Updated on 1 October 2026
HS 0302 covers fresh or chilled whole fish, excluding fillets and other fish meat, which fall under heading 0304. In 2025 UN Comtrade data, Sweden, the United States and France lead imports, and several EU markets rank in the top six. For a company exporting from Spain, the key checks are the subheading, the destination rules and the cold chain.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 1 October 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 0302
- Chapter
- 03 · Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates
- Subheadings
- 59
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| Sweden | 4,132,685,803 |
| United States | 2,658,414,028 |
| France | 1,829,738,559 |
| Poland | 1,713,008,686 |
| Spain | 1,704,431,344 |
| Italy | 1,697,896,064 |
| China | 1,174,009,778 |
| Denmark | 1,137,244,073 |
| Netherlands | 982,798,392 |
| United Kingdom | 952,541,550 |
| Brazil | 803,751,592 |
| Germany | 629,747,235 |
| Portugal | 526,746,669 |
| Thailand | 420,177,287 |
| Finland | 373,240,431 |
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 fresh or chilled fish under 0302
Heading 0302 is a product definition, not a market. It covers fresh or chilled fish, and it excludes fillets and other fish meat, which are classified in heading 0304. The first step is to confirm that your product is whole or dressed fish and not a fillet.
The heading has 59 subheadings, according to the fact sheet on this page. The subheading is set by species and presentation, and it determines the duties, the quotas and the documents required. Classifying at heading level is not enough to quote a price or to file a customs declaration.
The import table shows demand concentrated in Europe, with the United States and China as the main markets outside it. Sweden leads, ahead of the United States and France. Poland, Spain and Italy follow with similar import values. The table shows what each country declares as imports from the world, not what it buys from Spain.
For a company exporting from Spain, shipments to other EU member states move within the single market and do not pay customs duties. Sales to the United States, China, Brazil, Thailand or the United Kingdom depend on the tariff and on the agreement in force with the EU. The applicable duty is looked up by subheading and destination in Access2Markets, the European Commission's tool for exporters.
Fresh fish is perishable, so transit time and the cold chain weigh as much as price. Health and traceability requirements for fish vary by destination, and in non-EU markets they are set by the importing country. Check them with the competent authority of the destination country before agreeing a delivery date with the buyer.
A practical order of work: confirm the subheading, check the duty and rules of the destination in Access2Markets, check the sanitary requirements for the species, and only then agree the incoterm and the transport. This order avoids quoting a price that later has to be revised.
Frequently asked questions about HS 0302
What is the difference between HS 0302 and HS 0304?
HS 0302 covers fresh or chilled fish, excluding fillets and other fish meat. Fillets and other fish meat are classified in heading 0304. If your product is cut into fillets, it does not belong under 0302, even if it is sold fresh.
Which countries import the most fresh or chilled fish under 0302?
In 2025 data from UN Comtrade, Sweden is first by import value, followed by the United States and France. Poland, Spain and Italy come next with similar values. The figures are each country's imports from the world, and countries report with a delay.
Do I pay customs duties when exporting 0302 fish from Spain to France or Italy?
No. For a company exporting from Spain, shipments to other EU member states move within the single market and are not subject to customs duties. They still require correct commercial documentation and compliance with the applicable health and traceability rules.
How do I find the duty for exporting 0302 fish to the United States or China?
The duty depends on the subheading and on the destination, so there is no single rate for the whole heading. A company exporting from Spain can look it up in Access2Markets by entering the product code and the destination country.
Is the 6-digit code enough to ship fresh fish?
Not always. The 6-digit code is the international level of the Harmonized System, and the destination country may require a longer national code. Confirm the code your buyer's customs broker will use before issuing the invoice.
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