Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, including live, fresh or chilled, frozen, dried, salted, smoked and other preservation states. This chapter is structured by species and processing method, and is a core chapter in international trade of aquatic products. Heading 0301 covers all live fish, including ornamental fish, food fish, fry, etc., further subdivided by use and species. This heading emphasizes the 'live' state, regardless of freshwater or marine, wild or farmed, all are classified under this heading. The first 2 digits 03 represent Chapter 3 'Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates'. Digits 3-4, 01, represent the heading 'Live fish'. Digits 5-6, 93, are the subheading, specifically referring to 'carp (Cyprinus carpio), flower carp, mirror carp, etc.', including their broodstock and fry. This subheading only covers live carp, excluding other live fish such as trout, eel, etc. Live carp is classified under 0301.93 because it has a 'live' state and the species is carp. If fresh or chilled carp, it is classified under 0302; frozen carp under 0303; carp fillets under 0304. Therefore, state and degree of processing are the key distinctions.
Chapter
Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, including live, fresh or chilled, frozen, dried, salted, smoked and other preservation states. This chapter is structured by species and processing method, and is a core chapter in international trade of aquatic products.
Heading
Heading 0301 covers all live fish, including ornamental fish, food fish, fry, etc., further subdivided by use and species. This heading emphasizes the 'live' state, regardless of freshwater or marine, wild or farmed, all are classified under this heading.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 03 represent Chapter 3 'Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates'. Digits 3-4, 01, represent the heading 'Live fish'. Digits 5-6, 93, are the subheading, specifically referring to 'carp (Cyprinus carpio), flower carp, mirror carp, etc.', including their broodstock and fry. This subheading only covers live carp, excluding other live fish such as trout, eel, etc.
Classification Basis
Live carp is classified under 0301.93 because it has a 'live' state and the species is carp. If fresh or chilled carp, it is classified under 0302; frozen carp under 0303; carp fillets under 0304. Therefore, state and degree of processing are the key distinctions.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity should state 'live carp' and the Latin scientific name Cyprinus carpio, avoiding the use of common names such as 'carp' which may cause ambiguity. State: Clearly declare the 'live' state, such as 'live' or 'live fish', and indicate whether it is for breeding, food or ornamental purposes. Specifications: Grade by individual weight or body length, such as '500-1000 grams per fish' or 'body length 15-20 cm', to facilitate customs statistics and valuation. Use: Declare the actual use, such as 'food', 'farming', 'ornamental', 'breeding'. Different uses may involve different regulatory conditions. Source: Indicate farmed or wild. Farmed requires providing farm registration information; wild requires stating the fishing area. Packaging method: Describe the transport packaging, such as 'oxygenated plastic bags', 'live fish transport vehicle', 'water tank', which affects transport and quarantine requirements. Brand: If there is a brand, it should be declared; if no brand, fill in 'none', used for intellectual property customs protection record verification. Product name: Live carp (Cyprinus carpio); State: Live; Specifications: 800-1200 grams per fish; Use: Food; Source: Farmed; Packaging: Oxygenated plastic bags, 10 fish per bag; Brand: None. Remarks: Exporting country official quarantine certificate number XXX, farm registration number XXX. Misdeclaring live carp as 'fresh carp' or 'chilled carp', leading to classification errors and tariff differences. Failing to provide the Latin scientific name, customs may require supplementary identification, delaying customs clearance. Ignoring use declaration; if for ornamental purposes, different regulatory documents may be involved. Failing to provide farm registration information for farmed carp may result in rejection of the declaration.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity should state 'live carp' and the Latin scientific name Cyprinus carpio, avoiding the use of common names such as 'carp' which may cause ambiguity.
⚠️ Writing only 'carp' without indicating 'live' or the Latin name may result in misclassification as fresh, chilled or frozen carp.
State
Clearly declare the 'live' state, such as 'live' or 'live fish', and indicate whether it is for breeding, food or ornamental purposes.
⚠️ Failing to indicate 'live', or incorrectly declaring as 'fresh' or 'chilled'.
Specifications
Grade by individual weight or body length, such as '500-1000 grams per fish' or 'body length 15-20 cm', to facilitate customs statistics and valuation.
⚠️ Vaguely writing 'uniform size' without specific specification data.
Use
Declare the actual use, such as 'food', 'farming', 'ornamental', 'breeding'. Different uses may involve different regulatory conditions.
⚠️ Declaring food carp as ornamental fish to evade quarantine approval.
Source
Indicate farmed or wild. Farmed requires providing farm registration information; wild requires stating the fishing area.
⚠️ Failing to distinguish farmed from wild, making it impossible to determine whether an endangered species certificate is required.
Packaging method
Describe the transport packaging, such as 'oxygenated plastic bags', 'live fish transport vehicle', 'water tank', which affects transport and quarantine requirements.
⚠️ Writing only 'boxed' without indicating whether oxygenated or transported with water.
Brand
If there is a brand, it should be declared; if no brand, fill in 'none', used for intellectual property customs protection record verification.
⚠️ Ignoring brand declaration, leading to infringement risks.
Example： Product name: Live carp (Cyprinus carpio); State: Live; Specifications: 800-1200 grams per fish; Use: Food; Source: Farmed; Packaging: Oxygenated plastic bags, 10 fish per bag; Brand: None. Remarks: Exporting country official quarantine certificate number XXX, farm registration number XXX.
Common Mistakes：
Misdeclaring live carp as 'fresh carp' or 'chilled carp', leading to classification errors and tariff differences.
Failing to provide the Latin scientific name, customs may require supplementary identification, delaying customs clearance.
Ignoring use declaration; if for ornamental purposes, different regulatory documents may be involved.
Failing to provide farm registration information for farmed carp may result in rejection of the declaration.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the Chapter 3 notes and subheading provisions of the 'Import and Export Tariff'. Live carp must simultaneously satisfy both conditions of 'live' and 'carp species'. If carp fry, still classified under 0301.93; if carp fertilized eggs, classified under 0301.91 (fertilized fish eggs). The processing method (fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, etc.) determines whether it is classified under 0302-0305. 0302.73 Fresh or chilled carp: State is fresh or chilled, not live. If carp is transported chilled after death, it should be classified under this code. 0303.23 Frozen carp: Frozen processing completely changes the 'live' state, classified under frozen fish heading. 0304.39 Fresh or chilled carp fillets: Limited to fillets, already cut, not whole live fish. 0301.91 Live carp fry: If carp fertilized eggs, classified under 0301.91; if carp juvenile fish, still classified under 0301.93. 0301.99 Other live fish: Live fish of species other than carp, such as crucian carp, grass carp, etc., classified under this code. Is the commodity live? Is the species carp (Cyprinus carpio)? Is it whole and unprocessed? Is the use clearly stated? Is the Latin scientific name provided?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the Chapter 3 notes and subheading provisions of the 'Import and Export Tariff'. Live carp must simultaneously satisfy both conditions of 'live' and 'carp species'. If carp fry, still classified under 0301.93; if carp fertilized eggs, classified under 0301.91 (fertilized fish eggs). The processing method (fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, etc.) determines whether it is classified under 0302-0305.
Confused Codes：
0302.73 - Fresh or chilled carp
State is fresh or chilled, not live. If carp is transported chilled after death, it should be classified under this code.
0303.23 - Frozen carp
Frozen processing completely changes the 'live' state, classified under frozen fish heading.
0304.39 - Fresh or chilled carp fillets
Limited to fillets, already cut, not whole live fish.
0301.91 - Live carp fry
If carp fertilized eggs, classified under 0301.91; if carp juvenile fish, still classified under 0301.93.
0301.99 - Other live fish
Live fish of species other than carp, such as crucian carp, grass carp, etc., classified under this code.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the commodity live?
✓ Is the species carp (Cyprinus carpio)?
✓ Is it whole and unprocessed?
✓ Is the use clearly stated?
✓ Is the Latin scientific name provided?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between live carp and chilled carp? Live carp is classified under 0301.93, chilled carp under 0302.73. The key difference is the 'live' state; if it dies during transport, it is classified as chilled. How to check the import tariff rate for live carp? Tariff rates vary by country and trade agreement. You can check the latest tariff schedule through the General Administration of Customs website or the 'Internet + Customs' platform, or consult a customs broker. What quarantine documents are required for exporting live carp? Usually requires the exporting country's official quarantine certificate and farm registration certificate. The importing country may require an entry animal and plant quarantine permit. Specific requirements are subject to bilateral agreements. Which code are live carp fry classified under? Carp fry (juvenile fish) are still classified under 0301.93, but carp fertilized eggs are classified under 0301.91. Distinction should be made based on developmental stage. Are the codes the same for ornamental live carp and food live carp? The HS code is the same, both 0301.93, but regulatory conditions may differ. Ornamental fish may require additional approval. The use should be stated when declaring. How should specifications be declared when customs clearing live carp? It is recommended to declare by individual weight or body length, such as '500-1000 grams per fish', to facilitate customs valuation and statistics, avoiding vague descriptions. If live carp dies during transport, can it still be declared under 0301.93? No. If it is dead upon arrival, it should be classified according to its actual state under 0302 (fresh/chilled) or 0303 (frozen), and re-declared. Does HS code 0301.93 apply to all carp varieties? This subheading covers common carp, flower carp, mirror carp and other Cyprinus carpio varieties, but other cyprinid fish such as koi may be classified under 0301.11 (ornamental fish). Specific judgment is required.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between live carp and chilled carp?
A: Live carp is classified under 0301.93, chilled carp under 0302.73. The key difference is the 'live' state; if it dies during transport, it is classified as chilled.
Q: How to check the import tariff rate for live carp?
A: Tariff rates vary by country and trade agreement. You can check the latest tariff schedule through the General Administration of Customs website or the 'Internet + Customs' platform, or consult a customs broker.
Q: What quarantine documents are required for exporting live carp?
A: Usually requires the exporting country's official quarantine certificate and farm registration certificate. The importing country may require an entry animal and plant quarantine permit. Specific requirements are subject to bilateral agreements.
Q: Which code are live carp fry classified under?
A: Carp fry (juvenile fish) are still classified under 0301.93, but carp fertilized eggs are classified under 0301.91. Distinction should be made based on developmental stage.
Q: Are the codes the same for ornamental live carp and food live carp?
A: The HS code is the same, both 0301.93, but regulatory conditions may differ. Ornamental fish may require additional approval. The use should be stated when declaring.
Q: How should specifications be declared when customs clearing live carp?
A: It is recommended to declare by individual weight or body length, such as '500-1000 grams per fish', to facilitate customs valuation and statistics, avoiding vague descriptions.
Q: If live carp dies during transport, can it still be declared under 0301.93?
A: No. If it is dead upon arrival, it should be classified according to its actual state under 0302 (fresh/chilled) or 0303 (frozen), and re-declared.
Q: Does HS code 0301.93 apply to all carp varieties?
A: This subheading covers common carp, flower carp, mirror carp and other Cyprinus carpio varieties, but other cyprinid fish such as koi may be classified under 0301.11 (ornamental fish). Specific judgment is required.
⚠️ 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.