Fish, dried, salted or in brine; smoked… (heading 0305): importing markets
HS 0305 covers fish that is dried, salted, in brine or smoked, and it is split into 24 subheadings. According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, Germany,…
Published on 2 October 2026Updated on 2 October 2026
HS 0305 covers fish that is dried, salted, in brine or smoked, and it is split into 24 subheadings. According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, Germany, Portugal and Italy are the three largest importers declared, each above 690 million USD. For an exporter from Spain, the first step is to identify the exact subheading, because duties and requirements depend on it.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 2 October 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 0305
- Chapter
- 03 · Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates
- Subheadings
- 24
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| Germany | 987,472,277 |
| Portugal | 708,912,754 |
| Italy | 699,287,867 |
| United States | 451,905,680 |
| France | 326,774,123 |
| Sweden | 321,180,678 |
| Spain | 302,709,565 |
| Hong Kong SAR China | 290,857,737 |
| China | 279,077,500 |
| Macao SAR China | 222,079,671 |
| Brazil | 151,133,473 |
| Japan | 145,850,176 |
| Switzerland | 131,773,899 |
| Belgium | 127,987,304 |
| Netherlands | 119,766,418 |
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 HS 0305 from Spain
HS 0305 is the heading for fish preserved by drying, salting, brining or smoking. It sits in chapter 03 and is divided into 24 subheadings. Smoked fish, dried fish and salted fish fall under different subheadings, and the product may also differ by species or by whether it is fillets or whole fish.
The subheading decides almost everything else. Duty rates, quotas, preferential origin rules and documentary requirements are set at subheading level, and in many markets at a more detailed national level. Classifying the product at the wrong level is the most common source of problems at customs.
The table above shows that the largest importers declared in 2025 are in Europe: Germany, Portugal, Italy, France, Sweden and Spain appear among the top positions. For a company exporting from Spain, shipments to other EU member states move inside the single market, so no customs duty applies. Sanitary and labelling rules for food of animal origin still apply.
Outside the EU, the picture changes. The United States, Hong Kong SAR China, China, Brazil, Japan and Switzerland also appear among the main importers. For these destinations, the duty depends on the subheading and on any agreement in force between the EU and the destination. It can be checked for each product and country in Access2Markets.
Import figures show the size of each market, not how easy it is to enter. A country that imports a lot may also be supplied by established producers or have strict health controls. Compare the volume with the requirements for your specific product before choosing a destination.
The data in the table are imports declared by each country from the world. They are not purchases from Spain. Countries report with a delay, so the latest consolidated year may differ from one country to another. Trade flows between Spain and each destination can be checked in UN Comtrade or in the statistics published by ICEX.
Frequently asked questions about HS 0305
What products are included in HS 0305?
HS 0305 includes fish that is dried, salted, in brine or smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking. It is divided into 24 subheadings. The exact subheading depends on the type of preservation and on the product form, such as fillets or whole fish.
Which countries import the most under HS 0305?
According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, the largest declared importers are Germany, Portugal and Italy, followed by the United States, France and Sweden. These figures are total imports from the world, not purchases from any single supplier.
Do I pay customs duty when exporting HS 0305 from Spain to another EU country?
No customs duty applies to goods moving between EU member states, because they circulate within the single market. Sanitary, labelling and traceability rules for food of animal origin still apply, and they depend on the product.
How do I find the duty for exporting HS 0305 outside the EU?
The duty depends on the subheading, the destination and any agreement in force between the EU and that country. It is checked in Access2Markets, entering the product code and the destination. The result shows the duty and the origin rules that apply.
Does a high import figure mean a market is easy to enter?
No. The figure shows the size of the market, not the conditions of access. Duties, health controls and the presence of established suppliers vary by country, so they have to be checked for each destination before deciding.
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