Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, including live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, in brine, smoked and other processed products. This chapter is divided into multiple headings, such as 0301 live fish, 0302 fresh or chilled fish, 0303 frozen fish, etc. As a marine fish, plaice in its fresh or chilled state is classified under this chapter, while frozen, smoked, etc. are classified elsewhere. Heading 0302 specifically refers to fresh or chilled fish, but excludes fish fillets and other fish meat (classified under 0304), fish livers and roes (classified under 0305 or 0306). Under this heading, it is further subdivided by species, such as 0302.1 Salmonidae, 0302.2 Pleuronectidae, etc. Fresh or chilled means not subjected to freezing treatment, with temperature usually maintained at around 0°C to preserve freshness. The first 2 digits 03 represent Chapter 3 'Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates'. The 3rd-4th digits 02 represent heading 0302 'Fresh or chilled fish, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of 0304'. The 5th-6th digits 22 represent subheading 0302.22 'Fresh or chilled plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)', specifically referring to plaice in the family Pleuronectidae, scientific name Pleuronectes platessa, commonly known as European plaice. This subheading is further subdivided into specific varieties, but 030222 only refers to fresh or chilled plaice, excluding other Pleuronectidae fish such as halibut, turbot, etc. This commodity is fresh or chilled plaice, not subjected to freezing, smoking or other processing, conforming to the basic characteristics of heading 0302. Plaice belongs to the family Pleuronectidae, but under 0302 it is subdivided by variety, with 030222 specifically referring to plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), while other Pleuronectidae fish such as 0302.23, 0302.24, etc. correspond to different varieties respectively. Therefore, accurately identifying the variety is the key to classifying under this code.
Chapter
Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, including live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, in brine, smoked and other processed products. This chapter is divided into multiple headings, such as 0301 live fish, 0302 fresh or chilled fish, 0303 frozen fish, etc. As a marine fish, plaice in its fresh or chilled state is classified under this chapter, while frozen, smoked, etc. are classified elsewhere.
Heading
Heading 0302 specifically refers to fresh or chilled fish, but excludes fish fillets and other fish meat (classified under 0304), fish livers and roes (classified under 0305 or 0306). Under this heading, it is further subdivided by species, such as 0302.1 Salmonidae, 0302.2 Pleuronectidae, etc. Fresh or chilled means not subjected to freezing treatment, with temperature usually maintained at around 0°C to preserve freshness.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 03 represent Chapter 3 'Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates'. The 3rd-4th digits 02 represent heading 0302 'Fresh or chilled fish, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of 0304'. The 5th-6th digits 22 represent subheading 0302.22 'Fresh or chilled plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)', specifically referring to plaice in the family Pleuronectidae, scientific name Pleuronectes platessa, commonly known as European plaice. This subheading is further subdivided into specific varieties, but 030222 only refers to fresh or chilled plaice, excluding other Pleuronectidae fish such as halibut, turbot, etc.
Classification Basis
This commodity is fresh or chilled plaice, not subjected to freezing, smoking or other processing, conforming to the basic characteristics of heading 0302. Plaice belongs to the family Pleuronectidae, but under 0302 it is subdivided by variety, with 030222 specifically referring to plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), while other Pleuronectidae fish such as 0302.23, 0302.24, etc. correspond to different varieties respectively. Therefore, accurately identifying the variety is the key to classifying under this code.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: Fill in the Chinese and Latin scientific name of the commodity, such as 'Fresh plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)', ensuring correspondence with the code. State: Indicate 'fresh' or 'chilled', such as 'fresh' or 'chilled', and specify the storage temperature (e.g., 0°C). Specification: Fill in individual weight or length, such as '200-300 grams per fish', for customs statistics and price assessment. Packaging Method: Describe packaging materials and form, such as 'packed in plastic boxes, 10 kg per box'. Capture or Aquaculture: Indicate 'wild-caught' or 'farmed', as different sources may affect regulatory conditions. Brand: If there is a brand, fill in the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'None'. Production Date: Fill in the capture or processing date in YYYY-MM-DD format. Product Name: Fresh plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)
State: Fresh
Specification: 200-300 grams per fish
Packaging Method: Packed in plastic boxes, 10 kg per box
Capture or Aquaculture: Wild-caught
Brand: None
Production Date: 2025-03-15
Other: Country of Origin: Norway; Mode of Transport: Air freight. Mistakenly declaring chilled plaice as frozen, resulting in code error. Not providing the Latin scientific name, unable to distinguish plaice from other Pleuronectidae fish. Ignoring the state description, such as not indicating 'fresh' or 'chilled'.
Product Name
Fill in the Chinese and Latin scientific name of the commodity, such as 'Fresh plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)', ensuring correspondence with the code.
⚠️ Only writing 'plaice' without indicating the Latin scientific name, causing confusion with other Pleuronectidae fish.
State
Indicate 'fresh' or 'chilled', such as 'fresh' or 'chilled', and specify the storage temperature (e.g., 0°C).
⚠️ Mistakenly writing 'frozen', resulting in classification under 0303 instead of 0302.
Specification
Fill in individual weight or length, such as '200-300 grams per fish', for customs statistics and price assessment.
⚠️ Not providing specifications, affecting classification and price review.
Packaging Method
Describe packaging materials and form, such as 'packed in plastic boxes, 10 kg per box'.
⚠️ Vaguely writing 'boxed' without indicating material and weight.
Capture or Aquaculture
Indicate 'wild-caught' or 'farmed', as different sources may affect regulatory conditions.
⚠️ Not indicating the source, making it impossible to determine whether endangered species are involved.
Brand
If there is a brand, fill in the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'None'.
⚠️ Ignoring the brand, leading to intellectual property issues.
Production Date
Fill in the capture or processing date in YYYY-MM-DD format.
⚠️ Filling in vaguely, such as 'recently', which does not meet declaration requirements.
Example： Product Name: Fresh plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)
State: Fresh
Specification: 200-300 grams per fish
Packaging Method: Packed in plastic boxes, 10 kg per box
Capture or Aquaculture: Wild-caught
Brand: None
Production Date: 2025-03-15
Other: Country of Origin: Norway; Mode of Transport: Air freight.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly declaring chilled plaice as frozen, resulting in code error.
Not providing the Latin scientific name, unable to distinguish plaice from other Pleuronectidae fish.
Ignoring the state description, such as not indicating 'fresh' or 'chilled'.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the 'Import and Export Tariff' and the 'Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System'. First, determine that the commodity is fresh or chilled fish, classified under 0302; second, according to the variety, plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) corresponds to 030222. Note that under 0302 it is subdivided by variety, and the scientific name must be accurately identified. 030221 Fresh or chilled halibut: Halibut (Atlantic halibut) belongs to the family Pleuronectidae, but is a different genus, larger in size, with different meat quality. 030223 Fresh or chilled sole: Sole belongs to the family Soleidae, flat in shape, with both eyes on the right side of the body, different from plaice. 030229 Other fresh or chilled Pleuronectidae fish: This code is a catch-all; if the plaice variety is not specifically listed, it is classified here, but 030222 already lists plaice. 030311 Frozen sockeye salmon: Frozen fish is classified under 0303, fresh or chilled under 0302, different states. Confirm the commodity state is fresh or chilled, not frozen. Confirm the Latin scientific name is Pleuronectes platessa. Confirm it is not fillets or other fish meat. Confirm it is not smoked, dried or salted. Confirm packaging and labels meet requirements.
Basis
The core basis for classification is the 'Import and Export Tariff' and the 'Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System'. First, determine that the commodity is fresh or chilled fish, classified under 0302; second, according to the variety, plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) corresponds to 030222. Note that under 0302 it is subdivided by variety, and the scientific name must be accurately identified.
Confused Codes：
030221 - Fresh or chilled halibut
Halibut (Atlantic halibut) belongs to the family Pleuronectidae, but is a different genus, larger in size, with different meat quality.
030223 - Fresh or chilled sole
Sole belongs to the family Soleidae, flat in shape, with both eyes on the right side of the body, different from plaice.
030229 - Other fresh or chilled Pleuronectidae fish
This code is a catch-all; if the plaice variety is not specifically listed, it is classified here, but 030222 already lists plaice.
030311 - Frozen sockeye salmon
Frozen fish is classified under 0303, fresh or chilled under 0302, different states.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm the commodity state is fresh or chilled, not frozen.
✓ Confirm the Latin scientific name is Pleuronectes platessa.
✓ Confirm it is not fillets or other fish meat.
✓ Confirm it is not smoked, dried or salted.
✓ Confirm packaging and labels meet requirements.
❓ FAQ
How to inquire about the tax rate for HS code 030222? You can inquire through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the 'Import and Export Tariff', or use the customs classification advance ruling service. Tax rates may change with free trade agreements, etc., and it is recommended to refer to the latest announcements. How to distinguish plaice from sole? Plaice has both eyes on the right side of the body, while sole has both eyes on the left side; plaice has a distinct caudal peduncle, while sole's caudal fin is connected to the body. Accurate distinction based on scientific name is required for classification. What is the difference in codes between chilled plaice and frozen plaice? Chilled plaice is classified under 030222, frozen plaice under the corresponding subheading of 0303, such as 0303.31, etc. Different states lead to different codes. Is it necessary to provide the Latin scientific name when declaring? Yes, the Latin scientific name is key to accurate classification, especially for fish, as different varieties correspond to different subheadings. Failure to provide it may lead to classification errors or customs clearance delays. Does 030222 include all plaice? No. 030222 only refers to plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), other Pleuronectidae fish such as halibut, sole, etc. are classified under 030221, 030223, etc. respectively. What regulatory documents are required for importing fresh plaice? Usually requires inspection and quarantine certificate for inbound goods, certificate of origin, health certificate, etc., depending on the exporting country and bilateral agreements. It is recommended to consult customs in advance. If the plaice is farmed, is the code different? The code does not distinguish between wild or farmed, both are classified under 030222, but the source must be indicated when declaring, as regulatory conditions may differ. What are the consequences of mistakenly declaring frozen plaice as fresh plaice? It may lead to code errors, affecting tariffs and regulatory documents, and may even be deemed as false declaration, facing administrative penalties. Always declare the state truthfully.
Q: How to inquire about the tax rate for HS code 030222?
A: You can inquire through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the 'Import and Export Tariff', or use the customs classification advance ruling service. Tax rates may change with free trade agreements, etc., and it is recommended to refer to the latest announcements.
Q: How to distinguish plaice from sole?
A: Plaice has both eyes on the right side of the body, while sole has both eyes on the left side; plaice has a distinct caudal peduncle, while sole's caudal fin is connected to the body. Accurate distinction based on scientific name is required for classification.
Q: What is the difference in codes between chilled plaice and frozen plaice?
A: Chilled plaice is classified under 030222, frozen plaice under the corresponding subheading of 0303, such as 0303.31, etc. Different states lead to different codes.
Q: Is it necessary to provide the Latin scientific name when declaring?
A: Yes, the Latin scientific name is key to accurate classification, especially for fish, as different varieties correspond to different subheadings. Failure to provide it may lead to classification errors or customs clearance delays.
Q: Does 030222 include all plaice?
A: No. 030222 only refers to plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), other Pleuronectidae fish such as halibut, sole, etc. are classified under 030221, 030223, etc. respectively.
Q: What regulatory documents are required for importing fresh plaice?
A: Usually requires inspection and quarantine certificate for inbound goods, certificate of origin, health certificate, etc., depending on the exporting country and bilateral agreements. It is recommended to consult customs in advance.
Q: If the plaice is farmed, is the code different?
A: The code does not distinguish between wild or farmed, both are classified under 030222, but the source must be indicated when declaring, as regulatory conditions may differ.
Q: What are the consequences of mistakenly declaring frozen plaice as fresh plaice?
A: It may lead to code errors, affecting tariffs and regulatory documents, and may even be deemed as false declaration, facing administrative penalties. Always declare the state truthfully.
⚠️ 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.