Chapter 02 covers meat and edible meat offal, including various animal meats in fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, smoked, salted, etc. conditions. This chapter is divided by animal species, such as bovine, swine, sheep, horses, etc., and distinguishes between fresh, chilled, frozen conditions. The core is animal muscle tissue and edible offal for human consumption, but excludes live animals, animal fats, hides, etc. Heading 0205 specifically covers meat of equine animals (horses, asses, mules), including fresh, chilled or frozen. Whether whole, half, cuts or bone-in/boneless, all are classified under this heading. Note: Edible offal of equine animals should be classified under 0206, while prepared or preserved horse meat products or canned goods are classified under Chapter 16. The first 2 digits 02 represent Chapter 02 'Meat and edible meat offal'. The 3rd-4th digits 05 represent heading 0205, specifically meat of horses, asses, mules. The 5th-6th digits are subheadings, but 020500 is not further subdivided, meaning all fresh, chilled or frozen equine meat under this heading is classified under this code. In actual customs declaration, if frozen, 0205.00.00 is typically used; if fresh or chilled, it also falls under this code, but the condition must be stated in the declaration elements. The product is equine meat, and the condition is fresh, chilled or frozen, which conforms to the description of heading 0205. Adjacent headings 0201-0204 respectively cover bovine, swine, sheep, goats, etc., 0206 is edible offal, 0207 is poultry meat. Therefore, as long as the animal species is horse, ass or mule and it is edible muscle, it is classified under 0205.
Chapter
Chapter 02 covers meat and edible meat offal, including various animal meats in fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, smoked, salted, etc. conditions. This chapter is divided by animal species, such as bovine, swine, sheep, horses, etc., and distinguishes between fresh, chilled, frozen conditions. The core is animal muscle tissue and edible offal for human consumption, but excludes live animals, animal fats, hides, etc.
Heading
Heading 0205 specifically covers meat of equine animals (horses, asses, mules), including fresh, chilled or frozen. Whether whole, half, cuts or bone-in/boneless, all are classified under this heading. Note: Edible offal of equine animals should be classified under 0206, while prepared or preserved horse meat products or canned goods are classified under Chapter 16.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 02 represent Chapter 02 'Meat and edible meat offal'. The 3rd-4th digits 05 represent heading 0205, specifically meat of horses, asses, mules. The 5th-6th digits are subheadings, but 020500 is not further subdivided, meaning all fresh, chilled or frozen equine meat under this heading is classified under this code. In actual customs declaration, if frozen, 0205.00.00 is typically used; if fresh or chilled, it also falls under this code, but the condition must be stated in the declaration elements.
Classification Basis
The product is equine meat, and the condition is fresh, chilled or frozen, which conforms to the description of heading 0205. Adjacent headings 0201-0204 respectively cover bovine, swine, sheep, goats, etc., 0206 is edible offal, 0207 is poultry meat. Therefore, as long as the animal species is horse, ass or mule and it is edible muscle, it is classified under 0205.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared product, such as 'fresh horse meat', 'frozen donkey meat', etc., must be consistent with the HS code description. Method of Production or Preservation: State 'fresh', 'chilled' or 'frozen'. For frozen, indicate the freezing temperature and method. Condition: Such as 'whole', 'half', 'bone-in', 'boneless', 'cuts', etc., affecting classification and quarantine. Animal Species: Specify as horse, ass or mule. Different species may involve different quarantine requirements. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'none'. Packaging Specifications: Such as 'vacuum packed, 10 kg per carton', affecting inspection and tariffs. Place of Origin: The country/region where the animal was raised or slaughtered, must be specific to state/province. Product Name: Frozen donkey meat; Method of Production or Preservation: Frozen, center temperature -18°C; Condition: Boneless, cuts; Animal Species: Donkey; Brand: None; Packaging Specifications: Vacuum packed, 20 kg per carton; Place of Origin: Shandong Province, China. Incorrectly classifying cooked horse meat products such as horse meat sausages under 0205, when they should actually be classified under 1601 or 1602. Failing to distinguish between fresh, chilled, and frozen, resulting in incomplete declaration elements. Incorrectly classifying equine offal (such as horse liver) under 0205, when it should actually be classified under 0206.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared product, such as 'fresh horse meat', 'frozen donkey meat', etc., must be consistent with the HS code description.
⚠️ Incorrectly written as 'horse meat products' or 'horse steak', failing to distinguish between raw and processed.
Method of Production or Preservation
State 'fresh', 'chilled' or 'frozen'. For frozen, indicate the freezing temperature and method.
⚠️ Reporting chilled as frozen, or failing to specify the exact condition.
Condition
Such as 'whole', 'half', 'bone-in', 'boneless', 'cuts', etc., affecting classification and quarantine.
⚠️ Vaguely writing 'meat pieces' without specifying whether bone-in.
Animal Species
Specify as horse, ass or mule. Different species may involve different quarantine requirements.
⚠️ Only writing 'horse meat' without distinguishing donkey or mule meat.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'none'.
⚠️ Ignoring the brand, leading to intellectual property risks.
Packaging Specifications
Such as 'vacuum packed, 10 kg per carton', affecting inspection and tariffs.
⚠️ Only writing 'carton packed' without indicating weight.
Place of Origin
The country/region where the animal was raised or slaughtered, must be specific to state/province.
⚠️ Only writing 'imported' without indicating the country of origin.
Example： Product Name: Frozen donkey meat; Method of Production or Preservation: Frozen, center temperature -18°C; Condition: Boneless, cuts; Animal Species: Donkey; Brand: None; Packaging Specifications: Vacuum packed, 20 kg per carton; Place of Origin: Shandong Province, China.
Common Mistakes：
Incorrectly classifying cooked horse meat products such as horse meat sausages under 0205, when they should actually be classified under 1601 or 1602.
Failing to distinguish between fresh, chilled, and frozen, resulting in incomplete declaration elements.
Incorrectly classifying equine offal (such as horse liver) under 0205, when it should actually be classified under 0206.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the animal species (horse, ass, mule) and preservation state (fresh, chilled, frozen). Must ensure the product is edible muscle and has not been further processed (such as salted, smoked, cooked). If it is offal, classify under 0206; if it is a meat product, classify under Chapter 16. 0201 Fresh, chilled or frozen bovine meat: Different animal species. 0201 is bovine, 0205 is equine. 0206 Edible offal: 0206 covers equine head, feet, liver, kidney, etc., while 0205 only refers to muscle tissue. 1601 Sausages and similar products: 1601 is meat products that have been stuffed, seasoned, etc., while 0205 is unprocessed fresh or chilled meat. 1602 Other prepared or preserved meat: 1602 includes cooked, fried, roasted horse meat, while 0205 is limited to raw fresh condition. Is the animal a horse, ass or mule? Is the condition fresh, chilled or frozen? Is it only muscle tissue, without offal? Has it not been salted, smoked or cooked? Is it intended for human consumption?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the animal species (horse, ass, mule) and preservation state (fresh, chilled, frozen). Must ensure the product is edible muscle and has not been further processed (such as salted, smoked, cooked). If it is offal, classify under 0206; if it is a meat product, classify under Chapter 16.
Confused Codes：
0201 - Fresh, chilled or frozen bovine meat
Different animal species. 0201 is bovine, 0205 is equine.
0206 - Edible offal
0206 covers equine head, feet, liver, kidney, etc., while 0205 only refers to muscle tissue.
1601 - Sausages and similar products
1601 is meat products that have been stuffed, seasoned, etc., while 0205 is unprocessed fresh or chilled meat.
1602 - Other prepared or preserved meat
1602 includes cooked, fried, roasted horse meat, while 0205 is limited to raw fresh condition.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the animal a horse, ass or mule?
✓ Is the condition fresh, chilled or frozen?
✓ Is it only muscle tissue, without offal?
✓ Has it not been salted, smoked or cooked?
✓ Is it intended for human consumption?
❓ FAQ
How to check the tariff rate for 020500? The latest tariff rates can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the International Trade Single Window. Note that rates vary by country, trade agreements and annual adjustments. It is recommended to rely on official real-time data. What quarantine approvals are required for horse meat imports? Horse meat imports must comply with the 'Administrative Measures for the Inspection and Quarantine of Imported and Exported Meat Products', require an 'Import Animal and Plant Quarantine License', and ensure that the exporting country and production enterprise are registered in China. For specific procedures, consult the local customs. What is the difference between 020500 and 020610? 020500 is muscle of equine animals, 020610 is edible offal of bovine animals. Both the animal species and parts are different and must not be confused. What is the difference in declaration between frozen horse meat and chilled horse meat? Both have the same HS code, but the declaration elements must specify 'frozen' or 'chilled', and for frozen, details such as center temperature must be provided, affecting inspection and storage requirements. Which HS code should be used for cross-border e-commerce sales of horse meat products? If it is cooked or seasoned horse meat, classify under 1602; if it is raw fresh horse meat, classify under 020500. Judgment should be based on the actual processing state. How to fill in the brand column during declaration? If there is a brand, declare it truthfully; if no brand, fill in 'none'. If the brand involves intellectual property, provide authorization to avoid infringement risks. Does bone-in versus boneless affect the code when classifying horse meat? No, both are classified under 020500. However, the declaration elements must indicate 'bone-in' or 'boneless' for customs statistics and inspection. Does importing horse meat from the EU enjoy preferential tariff rates? Check the trade agreement between China and the EU. Currently, there is no free trade agreement between China and the EU, so the MFN rate generally applies. For specifics, consult the customs tariff schedule.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for 020500?
A: The latest tariff rates can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the International Trade Single Window. Note that rates vary by country, trade agreements and annual adjustments. It is recommended to rely on official real-time data.
Q: What quarantine approvals are required for horse meat imports?
A: Horse meat imports must comply with the 'Administrative Measures for the Inspection and Quarantine of Imported and Exported Meat Products', require an 'Import Animal and Plant Quarantine License', and ensure that the exporting country and production enterprise are registered in China. For specific procedures, consult the local customs.
Q: What is the difference between 020500 and 020610?
A: 020500 is muscle of equine animals, 020610 is edible offal of bovine animals. Both the animal species and parts are different and must not be confused.
Q: What is the difference in declaration between frozen horse meat and chilled horse meat?
A: Both have the same HS code, but the declaration elements must specify 'frozen' or 'chilled', and for frozen, details such as center temperature must be provided, affecting inspection and storage requirements.
Q: Which HS code should be used for cross-border e-commerce sales of horse meat products?
A: If it is cooked or seasoned horse meat, classify under 1602; if it is raw fresh horse meat, classify under 020500. Judgment should be based on the actual processing state.
Q: How to fill in the brand column during declaration?
A: If there is a brand, declare it truthfully; if no brand, fill in 'none'. If the brand involves intellectual property, provide authorization to avoid infringement risks.
Q: Does bone-in versus boneless affect the code when classifying horse meat?
A: No, both are classified under 020500. However, the declaration elements must indicate 'bone-in' or 'boneless' for customs statistics and inspection.
Q: Does importing horse meat from the EU enjoy preferential tariff rates?
A: Check the trade agreement between China and the EU. Currently, there is no free trade agreement between China and the EU, so the MFN rate generally applies. For specifics, consult the customs tariff schedule.
⚠️ 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.