Animal products not elsewhere specified or included; dead animals of chapter 1 or 3, unfit for human consumption (heading 0511): importing markets
HS 0511 groups animal products not specified elsewhere in chapter 05, plus dead animals of chapters 1 or 3 unfit for human consumption. In 2025 the…
Published on 10 October 2026Updated on 10 October 2026
HS 0511 groups animal products not specified elsewhere in chapter 05, plus dead animals of chapters 1 or 3 unfit for human consumption. In 2025 the United States was the largest importer by value, at about USD 895 million, followed by Germany and France. For a company exporting from Spain, the duty and the sanitary requirements depend on the subheading and the destination.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 10 October 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 0511
- Chapter
- 05 · Animal originated products; not elsewhere specified or included
- Subheadings
- 3
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| United States | 894,867,912 |
| Germany | 479,431,773 |
| France | 225,766,357 |
| Canada | 205,745,633 |
| Netherlands | 193,215,836 |
| Denmark | 184,904,649 |
| United Kingdom | 124,620,719 |
| Poland | 122,312,778 |
| China | 111,773,973 |
| Italy | 89,447,042 |
| Japan | 81,844,818 |
| Norway | 81,637,023 |
| Belgium | 79,956,954 |
| Spain | 75,767,808 |
| Switzerland | 58,907,707 |
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 10 October 2026
What to know before exporting HS 0511 from Spain
Heading 0511 is a residual heading. It collects animal products that no other heading in chapter 05 names, and dead animals of chapters 1 or 3 that are unfit for human consumption. The three subheadings below it separate products that are treated very differently at the border, so the first task is to classify the product at subheading level.
Demand is concentrated in a few buyers. The table on this page shows the United States and Germany far ahead of the rest, with France, Canada and the Netherlands next. Those figures are imports declared by each country from the world, so they show where the market is large, not how much of it a Spanish exporter can reach.
Because many goods in this heading are of animal origin, destination countries usually apply sanitary and veterinary rules. Which certificates, health attestations or establishment approvals are required depends on the exact product, its intended use and the importing country. These rules differ between the EU single market and third countries such as the United States, Canada or Japan.
For a company exporting from Spain, shipments to other EU member states move within the single market, without customs duties. Sanitary conditions for animal by-products still apply under EU rules, which can be checked in EUR-Lex. For non-EU destinations, the duty depends on the subheading and on any agreement in force with the EU. It is looked up for each destination in Access2Markets.
Before quoting, check three things in this order: the exact subheading of the product, the import conditions of the destination in Access2Markets, and the documents the buyer's customs broker will ask for. Spanish customs procedures and export documentation are explained by the AEAT.
Frequently asked questions
What does HS code 0511 cover?
HS 0511 covers animal products not elsewhere specified or included in the Harmonized System, and dead animals of chapter 1 or 3 that are unfit for human consumption. It belongs to chapter 05, animal originated products not elsewhere specified or included, and has three subheadings.
Which countries import the most under HS 0511?
According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, the largest importers by value were the United States (about USD 895 million), Germany (about USD 479 million) and France (about USD 226 million). Canada, the Netherlands and Denmark follow. These are totals imported from the world, not from Spain.
How do I find the import duty for 0511 in a given country?
The duty depends on the subheading and on the trade agreement between the EU and the destination. For a company exporting from Spain, it is looked up in Access2Markets by entering the product code and the destination country. Within the EU there are no customs duties.
Do I need a health certificate to export products under 0511?
It depends on the specific product, its use and the destination, since many goods in this heading are of animal origin. The importing country sets the conditions, and Access2Markets lists the requirements for each product and market. The buyer's customs broker can confirm which documents are demanded in practice.
Is it enough to use the four-digit code 0511 in my export documents?
No. Four digits identify the heading, but customs declarations require the full subheading, and the duty and sanitary rules are applied at that level. The HS is harmonized to six digits worldwide, and each destination adds its own national digits.
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