Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. This chapter includes aquatic products in various preserved forms such as live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, in brine, smoked, etc., as well as crustaceans, molluscs, etc. However, this chapter does not include dead animals classified in other chapters for non-edible purposes, nor does it include mammals of heading 01.06. Products of this chapter may be further processed, but if processing changes their essential character they may be classified in Chapter 16. Heading 0302 covers fresh or chilled fish, but excludes fish fillets and other fish meat (heading 0304), frozen fish (heading 0303), dried, salted or in-brine fish (heading 0305) and smoked fish (heading 0305). This heading includes whole fish, headed fish, gutted fish, etc., but they must remain fresh or chilled. Mainly for human consumption, but may also be used for industrial purposes. First 2 digits 03: represents Chapter 03, i.e. fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. Digits 3-4, 02: represents heading 0302, i.e. fresh or chilled fish, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat. Digits 5-6, 23: represents subheading 030223, i.e. fresh or chilled sole fish (Sole fish). Among these, 0302.23 specifically refers to fish of the family Soleidae, including the genera Solea, Cynoglossus, etc. This subheading further distinguishes different species of sole, but all are classified under this code. The goods are fresh or chilled sole fish, which conforms to the description of heading 0302, and sole belongs to the family Soleidae, so it is classified under subheading 030223. It is not classified under 0302.29 (other fresh or chilled fish), because 0302.29 is a residual subheading, applicable only when the fish species is not listed in 0302.21 to 0302.28. Nor is it classified under 0303 (frozen fish) or 0304 (fish fillets), because the state is fresh or chilled.
Chapter
Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. This chapter includes aquatic products in various preserved forms such as live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, in brine, smoked, etc., as well as crustaceans, molluscs, etc. However, this chapter does not include dead animals classified in other chapters for non-edible purposes, nor does it include mammals of heading 01.06. Products of this chapter may be further processed, but if processing changes their essential character they may be classified in Chapter 16.
Heading
Heading 0302 covers fresh or chilled fish, but excludes fish fillets and other fish meat (heading 0304), frozen fish (heading 0303), dried, salted or in-brine fish (heading 0305) and smoked fish (heading 0305). This heading includes whole fish, headed fish, gutted fish, etc., but they must remain fresh or chilled. Mainly for human consumption, but may also be used for industrial purposes.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 03: represents Chapter 03, i.e. fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. Digits 3-4, 02: represents heading 0302, i.e. fresh or chilled fish, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat. Digits 5-6, 23: represents subheading 030223, i.e. fresh or chilled sole fish (Sole fish). Among these, 0302.23 specifically refers to fish of the family Soleidae, including the genera Solea, Cynoglossus, etc. This subheading further distinguishes different species of sole, but all are classified under this code.
Classification Basis
The goods are fresh or chilled sole fish, which conforms to the description of heading 0302, and sole belongs to the family Soleidae, so it is classified under subheading 030223. It is not classified under 0302.29 (other fresh or chilled fish), because 0302.29 is a residual subheading, applicable only when the fish species is not listed in 0302.21 to 0302.28. Nor is it classified under 0303 (frozen fish) or 0304 (fish fillets), because the state is fresh or chilled.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Fill in the Chinese and foreign-language name of the goods, specified to the species, such as "fresh sole" or "chilled sole", avoiding the vague term "fresh fish". State: Indicate "fresh" or "chilled", and state the storage temperature, such as "iced fresh" or "chilled at 0-4°C". Latin scientific name: Provide the Latin scientific name of the sole, such as Solea solea, to ensure accurate classification under subheading 030223. Method of production or preservation: Describe the processing method in detail, such as "whole, gutted, iced fresh", without smoking, salting, freezing or other treatment. Individual weight: Declare the weight or size of each fish, such as "100-200 g/piece", to assist customs inspection and statistics. Packaging method: State the type of packaging, such as "foam box with ice", "vacuum packaging", etc. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in "none". Use: State the use, such as "for human consumption" or "processing raw material". Product name: fresh sole (Sole fish, fresh); State: iced fresh; Latin scientific name: Solea solea; Method of production and preservation: whole, gutted, iced fresh, not frozen; Individual weight: 150-200 g/piece; Packaging method: foam box with ice, 10 kg/box; Brand: none; Use: for human consumption. Mistaking chilled sole as frozen, leading to classification under 0303 instead of 0302. Failing to provide the Latin scientific name, unable to prove it belongs to the family Soleidae, possibly classified under 0302.29. Declaring the state as "fresh" but actually "chilled"; although both belong to 0302, customs may question it. Neglecting individual weight and packaging method, affecting customs valuation and statistics.
Product name
Fill in the Chinese and foreign-language name of the goods, specified to the species, such as "fresh sole" or "chilled sole", avoiding the vague term "fresh fish".
⚠️ Writing only "fresh fish" or "sea fish" without specifying sole, leading to classification disputes.
State
Indicate "fresh" or "chilled", and state the storage temperature, such as "iced fresh" or "chilled at 0-4°C".
⚠️ Mistaking frozen for chilled, or failing to state the specific state.
Latin scientific name
Provide the Latin scientific name of the sole, such as Solea solea, to ensure accurate classification under subheading 030223.
⚠️ Failing to provide the scientific name, or providing an incorrect scientific name leading to classification under another subheading.
Method of production or preservation
Describe the processing method in detail, such as "whole, gutted, iced fresh", without smoking, salting, freezing or other treatment.
⚠️ Describing it as "frozen" or "salted", leading to classification under 0303 or 0305.
Individual weight
Declare the weight or size of each fish, such as "100-200 g/piece", to assist customs inspection and statistics.
⚠️ Failing to provide weight specifications, or providing false weight.
Packaging method
State the type of packaging, such as "foam box with ice", "vacuum packaging", etc.
⚠️ Packaging method inconsistent with the preservation state, such as frozen fish in vacuum packaging but declared as chilled.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in "none".
⚠️ Neglecting to declare the brand, or the brand does not match the actual product.
Use
State the use, such as "for human consumption" or "processing raw material".
⚠️ Use is unclear, such as writing only "edible".
Example： Product name: fresh sole (Sole fish, fresh); State: iced fresh; Latin scientific name: Solea solea; Method of production and preservation: whole, gutted, iced fresh, not frozen; Individual weight: 150-200 g/piece; Packaging method: foam box with ice, 10 kg/box; Brand: none; Use: for human consumption.
Common Mistakes：
Mistaking chilled sole as frozen, leading to classification under 0303 instead of 0302.
Failing to provide the Latin scientific name, unable to prove it belongs to the family Soleidae, possibly classified under 0302.29.
Declaring the state as "fresh" but actually "chilled"; although both belong to 0302, customs may question it.
Neglecting individual weight and packaging method, affecting customs valuation and statistics.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff and the HS Explanatory Notes. Sole belongs to the family Soleidae, and in fresh or chilled state should be classified under 0302.23. If frozen, it is classified under 0303.23; if filleted, under 0304; if smoked, under 0305. At the same time, the Latin scientific name must be confirmed to avoid confusion with similar fish species. 030229 Other fresh or chilled fish: 030229 is a residual subheading, applicable only when the fish species is not listed in 030221 to 030228. Sole is already explicitly listed under 030223, so it is not classified under 030229. 030323 Frozen sole: 030323 is frozen sole, in frozen state, while 030223 is fresh or chilled. The core difference lies in the storage temperature and processing method. 030443 Fresh or chilled sole fillets: 030443 is sole fillets, i.e. fish meat that has been sliced, while 030223 is whole or gutted sole, not sliced. 030543 Smoked sole: 030543 is smoked sole, including smoked then chilled or frozen, but it has undergone smoking processing, while 030223 has not been smoked. 030223 Fresh or chilled sole: This code itself. Is it confirmed to be a fish of the family Soleidae? Is the state fresh or chilled? Has it not been sliced, smoked, or salted? Is the Latin scientific name accurate? Is it distinguished from 030229, 030323, etc.?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff and the HS Explanatory Notes. Sole belongs to the family Soleidae, and in fresh or chilled state should be classified under 0302.23. If frozen, it is classified under 0303.23; if filleted, under 0304; if smoked, under 0305. At the same time, the Latin scientific name must be confirmed to avoid confusion with similar fish species.
Confused Codes：
030229 - Other fresh or chilled fish
030229 is a residual subheading, applicable only when the fish species is not listed in 030221 to 030228. Sole is already explicitly listed under 030223, so it is not classified under 030229.
030323 - Frozen sole
030323 is frozen sole, in frozen state, while 030223 is fresh or chilled. The core difference lies in the storage temperature and processing method.
030443 - Fresh or chilled sole fillets
030443 is sole fillets, i.e. fish meat that has been sliced, while 030223 is whole or gutted sole, not sliced.
030543 - Smoked sole
030543 is smoked sole, including smoked then chilled or frozen, but it has undergone smoking processing, while 030223 has not been smoked.
030223 - Fresh or chilled sole
This code itself.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it confirmed to be a fish of the family Soleidae?
✓ Is the state fresh or chilled?
✓ Has it not been sliced, smoked, or salted?
✓ Is the Latin scientific name accurate?
✓ Is it distinguished from 030229, 030323, etc.?
❓ FAQ
How to check the tariff rate for HS code 030223? It can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the International Trade Single Window, or the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China. Tariff rates vary due to trade agreements, origin, etc.; it is recommended to refer to the latest tariff. What is the difference in HS codes between fresh sole and frozen sole? Fresh or chilled sole is classified under 030223, frozen sole under 030323. The main difference is the preservation state; fresh or chilled temperature is usually 0-4°C, frozen fish is below -18°C. Is the Latin scientific name required when declaring? It is recommended to provide it; the Latin scientific name is key to accurate classification. If it cannot be provided, customs may classify based on morphological characteristics, but disputes are likely. Which code should sole fillets be classified under? Fresh or chilled sole fillets are classified under 030443, frozen sole fillets under 030483. Fillets refer to fish meat that has been sliced, different from whole fish. If sole is salted, can it still be classified under 030223? No. Salted sole is classified under 0305, specifically subheading 0305.31 or 0305.39, depending on whether it is smoked. Salting changes the preservation state. What should be noted when declaring iced fresh sole for cross-border e-commerce sales? Cold chain transportation must be ensured, the declared state should be chilled, and the Latin scientific name and health certificate should be provided. Also note the difference between personal items and cargo declaration; it is recommended to declare as cargo. What is the key point for distinguishing 030223 from 030229? 030223 specifically refers to sole, 030229 to other fresh or chilled fish. As long as it is confirmed to be of the family Soleidae, it should be classified under 030223, without considering 030229. How to prove it is sole during customs inspection? The Latin scientific name, certificate of origin, fishing certificate, etc. can be provided. Customs may take samples for testing; it is recommended to keep relevant documents.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for HS code 030223?
A: It can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the International Trade Single Window, or the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China. Tariff rates vary due to trade agreements, origin, etc.; it is recommended to refer to the latest tariff.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between fresh sole and frozen sole?
A: Fresh or chilled sole is classified under 030223, frozen sole under 030323. The main difference is the preservation state; fresh or chilled temperature is usually 0-4°C, frozen fish is below -18°C.
Q: Is the Latin scientific name required when declaring?
A: It is recommended to provide it; the Latin scientific name is key to accurate classification. If it cannot be provided, customs may classify based on morphological characteristics, but disputes are likely.
Q: Which code should sole fillets be classified under?
A: Fresh or chilled sole fillets are classified under 030443, frozen sole fillets under 030483. Fillets refer to fish meat that has been sliced, different from whole fish.
Q: If sole is salted, can it still be classified under 030223?
A: No. Salted sole is classified under 0305, specifically subheading 0305.31 or 0305.39, depending on whether it is smoked. Salting changes the preservation state.
Q: What should be noted when declaring iced fresh sole for cross-border e-commerce sales?
A: Cold chain transportation must be ensured, the declared state should be chilled, and the Latin scientific name and health certificate should be provided. Also note the difference between personal items and cargo declaration; it is recommended to declare as cargo.
Q: What is the key point for distinguishing 030223 from 030229?
A: 030223 specifically refers to sole, 030229 to other fresh or chilled fish. As long as it is confirmed to be of the family Soleidae, it should be classified under 030223, without considering 030229.
Q: How to prove it is sole during customs inspection?
A: The Latin scientific name, certificate of origin, fishing certificate, etc. can be provided. Customs may take samples for testing; it is recommended to keep relevant documents.
⚠️ 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.