Chapter 02 covers meat and edible meat offal, including fresh, chilled, and frozen beef, pork, mutton, horse meat, etc., as well as their edible offal and meat offal. This chapter does not include fish or crustaceans (Chapter 03), meat products (Chapter 16), or animal fats (Chapter 15). Within the chapter, tariff lines are further subdivided by animal species and fresh or frozen state, making it the most fundamental classification chapter in the meat trade. Heading 0202 covers frozen beef, including whole and half carcasses, bone-in or boneless cuts of various kinds. Corresponding to fresh or chilled beef (0201), frozen means the temperature has been lowered below freezing point and maintained in a frozen state. Under this heading, further subdivision is made by cut and boneless status, making it one of the most commonly used headings in beef import declaration. First 2 digits 02: indicates Chapter 02 'Meat and edible meat offal.' Digits 3-4, 02: indicates heading 0202 'Frozen beef,' distinguished from 0201 fresh or chilled beef, 0203 frozen pork, etc. Digits 5-6, 10: indicates subheading 020210 'Frozen whole and half carcasses of beef,' i.e., frozen beef not cut or only simply split into half carcasses. If bone-in cuts, classified under 020220; boneless cuts under 020230. This commodity is frozen whole or half carcasses of beef, not finely cut, conforming to the description of subheading 020210. If fresh or chilled, it should be classified under 0201; if cut into bone-in pieces, under 020220; if boneless, under 020230. Therefore, the state (frozen) and degree of cutting (whole/half carcass) are the key factors determining classification under this code.
Chapter
Chapter 02 covers meat and edible meat offal, including fresh, chilled, and frozen beef, pork, mutton, horse meat, etc., as well as their edible offal and meat offal. This chapter does not include fish or crustaceans (Chapter 03), meat products (Chapter 16), or animal fats (Chapter 15). Within the chapter, tariff lines are further subdivided by animal species and fresh or frozen state, making it the most fundamental classification chapter in the meat trade.
Heading
Heading 0202 covers frozen beef, including whole and half carcasses, bone-in or boneless cuts of various kinds. Corresponding to fresh or chilled beef (0201), frozen means the temperature has been lowered below freezing point and maintained in a frozen state. Under this heading, further subdivision is made by cut and boneless status, making it one of the most commonly used headings in beef import declaration.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 02: indicates Chapter 02 'Meat and edible meat offal.' Digits 3-4, 02: indicates heading 0202 'Frozen beef,' distinguished from 0201 fresh or chilled beef, 0203 frozen pork, etc. Digits 5-6, 10: indicates subheading 020210 'Frozen whole and half carcasses of beef,' i.e., frozen beef not cut or only simply split into half carcasses. If bone-in cuts, classified under 020220; boneless cuts under 020230.
Classification Basis
This commodity is frozen whole or half carcasses of beef, not finely cut, conforming to the description of subheading 020210. If fresh or chilled, it should be classified under 0201; if cut into bone-in pieces, under 020220; if boneless, under 020230. Therefore, the state (frozen) and degree of cutting (whole/half carcass) are the key factors determining classification under this code.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: Fill in the specific name of the commodity, such as 'Frozen whole carcass beef' or 'Frozen half carcass beef,' which must be consistent with the HS code description. Method of Production or Preservation: Indicate 'Frozen,' meaning the temperature has been lowered below freezing point and maintained frozen, distinguished from fresh or chilled. State: Specify whether it is whole or half carcass, whether bone-in, boneless, or cut, such as 'Whole carcass, bone-in.' Cut: If whole/half carcass, fill in 'Whole body'; if half carcass, specify forequarter/hindquarter or left/right half. Brand Type: Fill in the brand name or 'No brand'; domestic independent brands, foreign brands, etc. must be declared truthfully. Packaging Specifications: Indicate the weight per carton and packaging method, such as '25kg/carton, carton-packed.' Origin: Fill in the country or region of origin of the beef, such as 'Australia.' Production Date: Fill in the slaughter or packaging date in year-month-day format. Product Name: Frozen whole carcass beef; Method of Production or Preservation: Frozen; State: Whole carcass, bone-in; Cut: Whole body; Brand Type: No brand; Packaging Specifications: 25kg/carton, carton-packed; Origin: Australia; Production Date: 2025-01-15. Incorrectly filling 'Frozen' as 'Frozen storage'; the two may differ in customs definitions, as frozen requires a core temperature below -18°C. Failing to indicate whole or half carcass, resulting in classification under 020220 or 020230, affecting tax rates and regulatory conditions. Incorrect origin filling, such as filling in the exporting country instead of the country of origin, which may trigger anti-dumping or tariff issues.
Product Name
Fill in the specific name of the commodity, such as 'Frozen whole carcass beef' or 'Frozen half carcass beef,' which must be consistent with the HS code description.
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in 'Frozen beef' is too general and does not reflect the whole/half carcass characteristic.
Method of Production or Preservation
Indicate 'Frozen,' meaning the temperature has been lowered below freezing point and maintained frozen, distinguished from fresh or chilled.
⚠️ Incorrectly using 'Frozen' and 'Frozen storage' interchangeably, or omitting the preservation state.
State
Specify whether it is whole or half carcass, whether bone-in, boneless, or cut, such as 'Whole carcass, bone-in.'
⚠️ Failing to indicate the degree of cutting, leading to classification errors.
Cut
If whole/half carcass, fill in 'Whole body'; if half carcass, specify forequarter/hindquarter or left/right half.
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in specific cuts such as 'beef brisket,' which is inconsistent with whole/half carcass.
Brand Type
Fill in the brand name or 'No brand'; domestic independent brands, foreign brands, etc. must be declared truthfully.
⚠️ Omitting the brand or filling it in incompletely.
Packaging Specifications
Indicate the weight per carton and packaging method, such as '25kg/carton, carton-packed.'
⚠️ Failing to fill in net weight or packaging form.
Origin
Fill in the country or region of origin of the beef, such as 'Australia.'
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in the exporting country instead of the country of origin.
Production Date
Fill in the slaughter or packaging date in year-month-day format.
⚠️ Omitting the date or using non-standard format.
Example： Product Name: Frozen whole carcass beef; Method of Production or Preservation: Frozen; State: Whole carcass, bone-in; Cut: Whole body; Brand Type: No brand; Packaging Specifications: 25kg/carton, carton-packed; Origin: Australia; Production Date: 2025-01-15.
Common Mistakes：
Incorrectly filling 'Frozen' as 'Frozen storage'; the two may differ in customs definitions, as frozen requires a core temperature below -18°C.
Failing to indicate whole or half carcass, resulting in classification under 020220 or 020230, affecting tax rates and regulatory conditions.
Incorrect origin filling, such as filling in the exporting country instead of the country of origin, which may trigger anti-dumping or tariff issues.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the preservation state of the commodity (frozen) and the degree of cutting (whole or half carcass). Frozen means the temperature has been lowered below freezing point and maintained frozen; whole or half carcass means a carcass not further cut. If fresh or chilled, classified under 0201; if bone-in cuts, under 020220; boneless cuts under 020230. In addition, attention should be paid to whether it has been processed (such as salted or smoked), which would be classified under a different chapter. 0201 Fresh or chilled beef: Different preservation state; 0201 is fresh or chilled, 0202 is frozen. Temperature control is the key distinguishing point. 020220 Frozen bone-in beef: 020220 is bone-in cuts, while 020210 is whole or half carcass; the degree of cutting differs. 020230 Frozen boneless beef: 020230 is boneless cuts, 020210 is bone-in whole/half carcass; whether boneless is the core difference. 0203 Frozen pork: Different animal species; 0203 is pork, 0202 is beef. 0210 Dried, smoked, salted meat: Different processing methods; 0210 is meat that has been dried, smoked, salted, etc., while 0202 is only frozen. Confirm whether the commodity is in a frozen state and whether the core temperature is below -18°C. Confirm whether it is whole or half carcass, not further cut. Confirm whether it is bone-in; if boneless, classify under 020230. Confirm the animal species is bovine, not other animals. Confirm whether it has been salted, smoked, or otherwise processed; if not, classify under 0202.
Basis
The core basis for classification is the preservation state of the commodity (frozen) and the degree of cutting (whole or half carcass). Frozen means the temperature has been lowered below freezing point and maintained frozen; whole or half carcass means a carcass not further cut. If fresh or chilled, classified under 0201; if bone-in cuts, under 020220; boneless cuts under 020230. In addition, attention should be paid to whether it has been processed (such as salted or smoked), which would be classified under a different chapter.
Confused Codes：
0201 - Fresh or chilled beef
Different preservation state; 0201 is fresh or chilled, 0202 is frozen. Temperature control is the key distinguishing point.
020220 - Frozen bone-in beef
020220 is bone-in cuts, while 020210 is whole or half carcass; the degree of cutting differs.
020230 - Frozen boneless beef
020230 is boneless cuts, 020210 is bone-in whole/half carcass; whether boneless is the core difference.
0203 - Frozen pork
Different animal species; 0203 is pork, 0202 is beef.
0210 - Dried, smoked, salted meat
Different processing methods; 0210 is meat that has been dried, smoked, salted, etc., while 0202 is only frozen.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm whether the commodity is in a frozen state and whether the core temperature is below -18°C.
✓ Confirm whether it is whole or half carcass, not further cut.
✓ Confirm whether it is bone-in; if boneless, classify under 020230.
✓ Confirm the animal species is bovine, not other animals.
✓ Confirm whether it has been salted, smoked, or otherwise processed; if not, classify under 0202.
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS code between frozen whole carcass beef and frozen half carcass beef? Both are classified under 020210, as this subheading covers whole and half carcass beef. The only difference is that the declaration must indicate whether it is whole or half carcass, but the HS code is the same. How to determine whether beef is frozen or chilled? Frozen requires a core temperature below -18°C and maintained frozen, while chilled is typically between 0°C and 4°C. Customs may inspect temperature records, and enterprises need to retain cold chain certificates. What regulatory documents are required for importing beef under 020210? Typically, an import animal and plant quarantine permit, official quarantine certificate from the exporting country, certificate of origin, etc. are required. Specific requirements should be checked against the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs; different countries may have special requirements. If frozen beef has been deboned, can it still be classified under 020210? No. 020210 only applies to whole or half carcass; boneless beef should be classified under 020230. If bone-in but cut into pieces, classify under 020220. How to check the tariff rate for 020210? You can log on to the website of the General Administration of Customs or China International Trade Single Window to check the latest 'Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China'; enter the HS code to view the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Tariff rates may change, and the official version shall prevail. Can cross-border e-commerce sales of frozen beef apply 020210? Yes, but cross-border e-commerce retail imports have a separate commodity list and regulatory conditions. It is necessary to confirm whether beef is on the list and meets quarantine requirements. Generally, import through general trade is recommended. How to fill in the brand type during declaration? Brand types include no brand, domestic independent brand, domestic acquired brand, foreign brand (OEM production), foreign brand (other). Fill in according to the actual situation; if no brand, fill in 'No brand.' Can beef under 020210 enjoy conventional tariff rates? If the country of origin has a free trade agreement with China and meets the rules of origin, the conventional tariff rate can be applied for. A certificate of origin is required, such as the China-Australia FTA certificate of origin. Check the tariff schedule for specific rates.
Q: What is the difference in HS code between frozen whole carcass beef and frozen half carcass beef?
A: Both are classified under 020210, as this subheading covers whole and half carcass beef. The only difference is that the declaration must indicate whether it is whole or half carcass, but the HS code is the same.
Q: How to determine whether beef is frozen or chilled?
A: Frozen requires a core temperature below -18°C and maintained frozen, while chilled is typically between 0°C and 4°C. Customs may inspect temperature records, and enterprises need to retain cold chain certificates.
Q: What regulatory documents are required for importing beef under 020210?
A: Typically, an import animal and plant quarantine permit, official quarantine certificate from the exporting country, certificate of origin, etc. are required. Specific requirements should be checked against the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs; different countries may have special requirements.
Q: If frozen beef has been deboned, can it still be classified under 020210?
A: No. 020210 only applies to whole or half carcass; boneless beef should be classified under 020230. If bone-in but cut into pieces, classify under 020220.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for 020210?
A: You can log on to the website of the General Administration of Customs or China International Trade Single Window to check the latest 'Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China'; enter the HS code to view the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Tariff rates may change, and the official version shall prevail.
Q: Can cross-border e-commerce sales of frozen beef apply 020210?
A: Yes, but cross-border e-commerce retail imports have a separate commodity list and regulatory conditions. It is necessary to confirm whether beef is on the list and meets quarantine requirements. Generally, import through general trade is recommended.
Q: How to fill in the brand type during declaration?
A: Brand types include no brand, domestic independent brand, domestic acquired brand, foreign brand (OEM production), foreign brand (other). Fill in according to the actual situation; if no brand, fill in 'No brand.'
Q: Can beef under 020210 enjoy conventional tariff rates?
A: If the country of origin has a free trade agreement with China and meets the rules of origin, the conventional tariff rate can be applied for. A certificate of origin is required, such as the China-Australia FTA certificate of origin. Check the tariff schedule for specific rates.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.