Fish fillets and other fish meat (whether… (heading 0304): importing markets
HS heading 0304 covers fish fillets and other fish meat, whether fresh, chilled or frozen, and minced or not. The United States is the largest importer…
Published on 2 October 2026Updated on 2 October 2026
HS heading 0304 covers fish fillets and other fish meat, whether fresh, chilled or frozen, and minced or not. The United States is the largest importer in the UN Comtrade data for 2025, at over USD 8 billion, followed by Japan and Germany. For a company exporting from Spain, several top markets are in the EU, where the rules differ from those of non-EU destinations.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 2 October 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 0304
- Chapter
- 03 · Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates
- Subheadings
- 57
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| United States | 8,005,367,034 |
| Japan | 3,335,556,210 |
| Germany | 2,263,541,503 |
| France | 1,777,209,859 |
| United Kingdom | 1,473,415,354 |
| Sweden | 1,387,284,720 |
| Poland | 1,372,190,606 |
| Italy | 1,351,666,936 |
| Spain | 1,346,053,351 |
| Netherlands | 983,104,114 |
| Canada | 949,699,133 |
| South Korea | 791,217,761 |
| Israel | 605,941,000 |
| Mexico | 560,510,435 |
| Belgium | 506,684,778 |
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 2 October 2026
What to know before exporting fish fillets from Spain
Heading 0304 is a four-digit code within Chapter 03. The fact sheet shows 57 subheadings under it. The tariff, the documents and the checks apply to the subheading, not to the heading, so the first step is to classify the product at the full code level.
Species, presentation and state matter for classification. A fresh fillet, a frozen fillet and minced fish meat can fall under different subheadings. The same product can also be treated differently depending on the species.
The destination changes the process for a company exporting from Spain. Germany, France, Sweden, Poland, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium are in the EU, so the shipment is an intra-EU dispatch, not an export. In that case there is no customs duty, although sanitary and traceability rules still apply.
For the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea, Israel and Mexico, the duty depends on the subheading and on the agreement in force with the EU or with Spain's trade framework at the time of shipping. It is checked per code and per country in Access2Markets, the European Commission's database of tariffs and import requirements.
Fishery products are subject to sanitary controls. The health certificate, the establishment approval and the catch or traceability documentation required by each destination are set by the importing country's authorities. Check them in Access2Markets and with the Spanish authorities responsible for export health certification before quoting a price.
Import figures show where demand is, not how easy access is. A large market can be dominated by established supply chains, and a smaller one can be easier to enter. Use the table as a starting list and then compare tariff, requirements and logistics for the codes you actually sell.
Frequently asked questions
What does HS 0304 cover?
HS 0304 covers fish fillets and other fish meat, whether minced or not, in fresh, chilled or frozen form. It sits in Chapter 03, which groups fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. It has 57 subheadings that split the product by species and presentation.
Which country imports the most under HS 0304?
According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, the United States is the largest importer of heading 0304, with imports of over USD 8 billion. Japan is second and Germany third. These are imports declared by each country from the world, and the latest year with consolidated data.
Do I pay duty when shipping fish fillets from Spain to Germany or France?
No customs duty applies, because Spain, Germany and France are in the EU single market and the shipment is an intra-EU dispatch. Sanitary, labelling and traceability rules for fishery products still apply, so the goods must meet them to circulate.
How do I find the duty for exporting fillets from Spain to the United States or Japan?
The duty depends on the full subheading code and on the agreement in force on the shipping date. Look up the code and the destination in Access2Markets, which shows tariffs and import requirements. Do it for each subheading you sell, as rates can differ between them.
Is the code enough to know the requirements for a market?
No. The code identifies the product, but the requirements depend on the destination country. Sanitary certificates, establishment approvals and traceability documents are set by the importing country's authorities, so they must be checked market by market.
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