Chapter 02 covers meat and edible meat offal, including fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, smoked, salted and other types of meat. This chapter mainly includes the meat and edible offal of poultry and livestock, but does not include live animals (Chapter 01), fish (Chapter 03), or prepared meat products (Chapter 16). Within the chapter, it is further subdivided by animal species and degree of processing, with the core distinction being the animal source and preservation method. Heading 0207 specifically covers the meat and edible meat offal of poultry, including chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowls, etc. Under this heading, it is further subdivided by poultry species and cutting state (whole, cuts, offal). A whole chicken refers to a complete poultry body after removing feathers, head, feet, and viscera, which may be fresh, chilled, or frozen. This heading does not include seasoned, cooked, or further processed poultry meat (classified under Chapter 16). The first 2 digits 02: indicates Chapter 02, i.e., meat and edible meat offal. The 3rd-4th digits 07: indicates heading 0207, i.e., meat and edible meat offal of poultry. The 5th-6th digits 12: indicates subheading 020712, specifically frozen whole chickens. Among them, the 5th digit 1 represents 'chicken', and the 6th digit 2 represents 'frozen whole'. The overall code 020712 refers to frozen whole chickens, distinguished from fresh or chilled whole chickens (020711) and frozen chicken cuts (020714). This commodity is a frozen whole chicken, which meets the definition of 'poultry meat' in heading 0207, and its state is frozen and its form is whole, so it is classified under 020712. If it were fresh or chilled whole chicken, it should be classified under 020711; if it were frozen chicken cuts or offal, it should be classified under 020714 or 020713. If it has been seasoned, cooked, or otherwise processed, it is classified under Chapter 16.
Chapter
Chapter 02 covers meat and edible meat offal, including fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, smoked, salted and other types of meat. This chapter mainly includes the meat and edible offal of poultry and livestock, but does not include live animals (Chapter 01), fish (Chapter 03), or prepared meat products (Chapter 16). Within the chapter, it is further subdivided by animal species and degree of processing, with the core distinction being the animal source and preservation method.
Heading
Heading 0207 specifically covers the meat and edible meat offal of poultry, including chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowls, etc. Under this heading, it is further subdivided by poultry species and cutting state (whole, cuts, offal). A whole chicken refers to a complete poultry body after removing feathers, head, feet, and viscera, which may be fresh, chilled, or frozen. This heading does not include seasoned, cooked, or further processed poultry meat (classified under Chapter 16).
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 02: indicates Chapter 02, i.e., meat and edible meat offal. The 3rd-4th digits 07: indicates heading 0207, i.e., meat and edible meat offal of poultry. The 5th-6th digits 12: indicates subheading 020712, specifically frozen whole chickens. Among them, the 5th digit 1 represents 'chicken', and the 6th digit 2 represents 'frozen whole'. The overall code 020712 refers to frozen whole chickens, distinguished from fresh or chilled whole chickens (020711) and frozen chicken cuts (020714).
Classification Basis
This commodity is a frozen whole chicken, which meets the definition of 'poultry meat' in heading 0207, and its state is frozen and its form is whole, so it is classified under 020712. If it were fresh or chilled whole chicken, it should be classified under 020711; if it were frozen chicken cuts or offal, it should be classified under 020714 or 020713. If it has been seasoned, cooked, or otherwise processed, it is classified under Chapter 16.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Fill in the commodity name, such as 'frozen whole chicken', which must be consistent with the HS code description and clearly indicate whole and frozen. Brand type: Fill in the brand name or mark 'no brand', such as 'XX brand' or 'no brand', which affects customs valuation and origin. Export preferential treatment status: Fill in 'export with preferential treatment' or 'export without preferential treatment' according to the actual trade situation, involving free trade agreements and other preferences. Production or preservation method: Fill in 'frozen', and indicate the freezing temperature or method, such as 'frozen at -18°C'. Whole or cut: Fill in 'whole', indicating it is not cut, meeting the requirements of 020712. With or without bone: Fill in 'with bone' or 'boneless'. Whole chickens are usually with bone and must be declared truthfully. Packaging specifications: Fill in the weight or number of pieces per box, such as '10 pieces/box, 20kg/box', to facilitate customs inspection. Origin: Fill in the place where the chicken was raised and slaughtered, such as 'China', which affects tariffs and trade measures. Product name: frozen whole chicken; Brand type: no brand; Export preferential treatment status: export without preferential treatment; Production or preservation method: frozen at -18°C; Whole or cut: whole; With or without bone: with bone; Packaging specifications: 10 pieces/box, 20kg/box; Origin: China. Mistakenly declaring frozen whole chicken as fresh or chilled whole chicken, leading to incorrect coding. Not indicating the freezing temperature, customs may question the preservation method. Filling in the brand type untruthfully, affecting customs valuation and intellectual property verification.
Product name
Fill in the commodity name, such as 'frozen whole chicken', which must be consistent with the HS code description and clearly indicate whole and frozen.
⚠️ Mistakenly writing 'frozen chicken cuts' or 'fresh whole chicken', leading to incorrect classification.
Brand type
Fill in the brand name or mark 'no brand', such as 'XX brand' or 'no brand', which affects customs valuation and origin.
⚠️ Omitting the brand, or filling it in incompletely, causing customs doubt.
Export preferential treatment status
Fill in 'export with preferential treatment' or 'export without preferential treatment' according to the actual trade situation, involving free trade agreements and other preferences.
⚠️ Incorrectly checking preferential treatment, resulting in inability to enjoy preferences or violation.
Production or preservation method
Fill in 'frozen', and indicate the freezing temperature or method, such as 'frozen at -18°C'.
⚠️ Only writing 'frozen' without indicating the temperature, or mistakenly writing 'chilled'.
Whole or cut
Fill in 'whole', indicating it is not cut, meeting the requirements of 020712.
⚠️ Filling in 'cut' or 'in pieces', leading to classification under 020714.
With or without bone
Fill in 'with bone' or 'boneless'. Whole chickens are usually with bone and must be declared truthfully.
⚠️ Mistakenly filling in 'boneless', inconsistent with the actual situation.
Packaging specifications
Fill in the weight or number of pieces per box, such as '10 pieces/box, 20kg/box', to facilitate customs inspection.
⚠️ Filling in vaguely, such as 'boxed', lacking specific specifications.
Origin
Fill in the place where the chicken was raised and slaughtered, such as 'China', which affects tariffs and trade measures.
⚠️ Filling in the trader's location instead of the origin.
Example： Product name: frozen whole chicken; Brand type: no brand; Export preferential treatment status: export without preferential treatment; Production or preservation method: frozen at -18°C; Whole or cut: whole; With or without bone: with bone; Packaging specifications: 10 pieces/box, 20kg/box; Origin: China.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly declaring frozen whole chicken as fresh or chilled whole chicken, leading to incorrect coding.
Not indicating the freezing temperature, customs may question the preservation method.
Filling in the brand type untruthfully, affecting customs valuation and intellectual property verification.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1. The commodity is poultry meat; 2. The state is frozen; 3. The form is whole. If all three conditions are met simultaneously, it is classified under 020712. If any condition is missing, such as fresh or chilled (020711), cut (020714), or processed (Chapter 16), it is classified under other codes. 020711 Fresh or chilled whole chickens: Different preservation state: 020711 is fresh or chilled, 020712 is frozen. Temperature control is the key distinguishing point. 020714 Frozen chicken cuts: Different form: 020714 is cut chicken pieces, 020712 is whole. Whether it is cut is the core difference. 020713 Fresh or chilled chicken cuts: Both state and form are different: 020713 is fresh or chilled chicken cuts, 020712 is frozen whole. 160232 Chicken meat products: Different degree of processing: 160232 is chicken meat that has been seasoned, cooked, or otherwise processed, 020712 is unprocessed frozen whole chicken. Is it the meat of poultry (chicken)? Has it been frozen? Is it whole (not cut)? Has it not been seasoned, cooked, or otherwise processed? Is it with bone (whole chickens usually have bone)?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1. The commodity is poultry meat; 2. The state is frozen; 3. The form is whole. If all three conditions are met simultaneously, it is classified under 020712. If any condition is missing, such as fresh or chilled (020711), cut (020714), or processed (Chapter 16), it is classified under other codes.
Confused Codes：
020711 - Fresh or chilled whole chickens
Different preservation state: 020711 is fresh or chilled, 020712 is frozen. Temperature control is the key distinguishing point.
020714 - Frozen chicken cuts
Different form: 020714 is cut chicken pieces, 020712 is whole. Whether it is cut is the core difference.
020713 - Fresh or chilled chicken cuts
Both state and form are different: 020713 is fresh or chilled chicken cuts, 020712 is frozen whole.
160232 - Chicken meat products
Different degree of processing: 160232 is chicken meat that has been seasoned, cooked, or otherwise processed, 020712 is unprocessed frozen whole chicken.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it the meat of poultry (chicken)?
✓ Has it been frozen?
✓ Is it whole (not cut)?
✓ Has it not been seasoned, cooked, or otherwise processed?
✓ Is it with bone (whole chickens usually have bone)?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between frozen whole chicken and fresh whole chicken? Frozen whole chicken is classified under 020712, fresh or chilled whole chicken under 020711. The main difference is the preservation state: frozen requires freezing below -18°C, fresh or chilled only requires refrigeration or room temperature. Temperature records or certificates are required for customs declaration. How to determine whether a whole chicken has been cut? A whole chicken refers to a complete poultry body after removing feathers, head, feet, and viscera, not divided into pieces. If the breast, legs, etc. are separated, it is considered cut and should be classified under 020714. Customs will inspect the physical form. How to fill in the 'production or preservation method' in the declaration elements for frozen whole chicken? It should be filled in as 'frozen', and indicate the freezing temperature, such as 'frozen at -18°C'. If only 'frozen' is written, supplementary information may be required. Temperature is the key to distinguishing frozen from chilled. If frozen whole chicken is seasoned, will the HS code change? Yes. If it has been seasoned, cooked, or otherwise processed, it is no longer classified under 020712, but under Chapter 16, such as 160232. The processing method changes the classification, and a description of the processing technology is required. Is the HS code the same when exporting frozen whole chicken to the EU? The first 6 digits of the HS code 020712 are globally uniform, but the EU may extend to 8 or 10 digits for tariffs and statistics. When exporting, it is necessary to check the EU TARIC database to confirm the specific subheading. How to check the tariff rate for frozen whole chicken? Tariff rates vary by country and trade agreement. They can be checked through the website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the free trade agreement tariff schedule, or the customs website of the destination country. It is recommended to use the first 6 digits of the HS code for retrieval, and then determine the specific rate based on the origin. What special documents are required for customs declaration of frozen whole chicken? Usually, animal quarantine certificates, certificates of origin, health certificates, etc. are required. If it comes from an epidemic area, import may be prohibited. Specific document requirements should be consulted with the local customs or checked in the latest announcements. What are the consequences of mistakenly classifying frozen whole chicken under 020714? It may lead to incorrect classification, affecting tariff collection and trade statistics. Customs may require supplementary taxes, fines, or even affect the enterprise's credit. It is recommended to declare truthfully and apply for pre-classification if necessary.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between frozen whole chicken and fresh whole chicken?
A: Frozen whole chicken is classified under 020712, fresh or chilled whole chicken under 020711. The main difference is the preservation state: frozen requires freezing below -18°C, fresh or chilled only requires refrigeration or room temperature. Temperature records or certificates are required for customs declaration.
Q: How to determine whether a whole chicken has been cut?
A: A whole chicken refers to a complete poultry body after removing feathers, head, feet, and viscera, not divided into pieces. If the breast, legs, etc. are separated, it is considered cut and should be classified under 020714. Customs will inspect the physical form.
Q: How to fill in the 'production or preservation method' in the declaration elements for frozen whole chicken?
A: It should be filled in as 'frozen', and indicate the freezing temperature, such as 'frozen at -18°C'. If only 'frozen' is written, supplementary information may be required. Temperature is the key to distinguishing frozen from chilled.
Q: If frozen whole chicken is seasoned, will the HS code change?
A: Yes. If it has been seasoned, cooked, or otherwise processed, it is no longer classified under 020712, but under Chapter 16, such as 160232. The processing method changes the classification, and a description of the processing technology is required.
Q: Is the HS code the same when exporting frozen whole chicken to the EU?
A: The first 6 digits of the HS code 020712 are globally uniform, but the EU may extend to 8 or 10 digits for tariffs and statistics. When exporting, it is necessary to check the EU TARIC database to confirm the specific subheading.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for frozen whole chicken?
A: Tariff rates vary by country and trade agreement. They can be checked through the website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the free trade agreement tariff schedule, or the customs website of the destination country. It is recommended to use the first 6 digits of the HS code for retrieval, and then determine the specific rate based on the origin.
Q: What special documents are required for customs declaration of frozen whole chicken?
A: Usually, animal quarantine certificates, certificates of origin, health certificates, etc. are required. If it comes from an epidemic area, import may be prohibited. Specific document requirements should be consulted with the local customs or checked in the latest announcements.
Q: What are the consequences of mistakenly classifying frozen whole chicken under 020714?
A: It may lead to incorrect classification, affecting tariff collection and trade statistics. Customs may require supplementary taxes, fines, or even affect the enterprise's credit. It is recommended to declare truthfully and apply for pre-classification if necessary.
⚠️ 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.