Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, including live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, smoked and other preservation methods. This chapter is an important animal product chapter in customs classification, involving fishing, farming, processing and other stages. Classification requires attention to species, preservation state, degree of processing and other factors. Heading 0302 covers fresh or chilled fish, but excludes fillets and other fish meat (0304), frozen fish (0303) and smoked fish (0305). This heading is further subdivided by fish species, mainly dividing subheadings according to fish species (such as salmon, tuna, cod, etc.), in order to distinguish fish of different economic value and regulatory requirements. The first 2 digits 03 represent Chapter 3 (fish, crustaceans, etc.); digits 3-4, 02, represent heading 0302 (fresh or chilled fish); digits 5-6, 36, represent subheading 030236, specifically Southern bluefin tuna. The 5th digit 3 indicates the genus Thunnus, and the 6th digit 6 specifically refers to Southern bluefin tuna. This code applies only to Southern bluefin tuna in fresh or chilled state, excluding frozen, smoked or processed products. The goods are fresh or chilled Southern bluefin tuna, meeting the basic definition of heading 0302 (fresh or chilled fish), and subheading 030236 explicitly lists Southern bluefin tuna. Therefore, it is classified under this code, rather than 0303 (frozen fish) or 0304 (fish fillets), and also differs from other tuna subheadings (such as 030231 albacore tuna).
Chapter
Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, including live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, smoked and other preservation methods. This chapter is an important animal product chapter in customs classification, involving fishing, farming, processing and other stages. Classification requires attention to species, preservation state, degree of processing and other factors.
Heading
Heading 0302 covers fresh or chilled fish, but excludes fillets and other fish meat (0304), frozen fish (0303) and smoked fish (0305). This heading is further subdivided by fish species, mainly dividing subheadings according to fish species (such as salmon, tuna, cod, etc.), in order to distinguish fish of different economic value and regulatory requirements.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 03 represent Chapter 3 (fish, crustaceans, etc.); digits 3-4, 02, represent heading 0302 (fresh or chilled fish); digits 5-6, 36, represent subheading 030236, specifically Southern bluefin tuna. The 5th digit 3 indicates the genus Thunnus, and the 6th digit 6 specifically refers to Southern bluefin tuna. This code applies only to Southern bluefin tuna in fresh or chilled state, excluding frozen, smoked or processed products.
Classification Basis
The goods are fresh or chilled Southern bluefin tuna, meeting the basic definition of heading 0302 (fresh or chilled fish), and subheading 030236 explicitly lists Southern bluefin tuna. Therefore, it is classified under this code, rather than 0303 (frozen fish) or 0304 (fish fillets), and also differs from other tuna subheadings (such as 030231 albacore tuna).
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Fill in the Chinese and foreign names of the commodity, which should be specific to the species, such as "fresh Southern bluefin tuna" or "chilled Southern bluefin tuna". State: Indicate the preservation method, such as "fresh" or "chilled", and specify the temperature conditions (such as chilled at 0-4°C). Latin scientific name: Provide the Latin scientific name of Southern bluefin tuna, Thunnus maccoyii, to ensure species accuracy. Specifications: Fill in specification information such as individual weight and body length, such as "10-20 kg each". Origin: Indicate the country/region of fishing or farming, such as "Australia". Processing method: State whether headed, gutted, finned, etc., such as "headed and gutted, not deboned". Package type: Describe the packaging method, such as "boxed, 20 kg per box". Product name: Fresh Southern bluefin tuna; State: Chilled (0-4°C); Latin scientific name: Thunnus maccoyii; Specifications: 15-25 kg each; Origin: Australia; Processing method: Headed and gutted, not deboned; Package type: Foam box with ice, 20 kg per box. Incorrectly declaring chilled as frozen, resulting in classification under 0303 rather than 0302. Not providing the Latin scientific name, which may raise suspicion of another tuna variety. Unclear description of the processing method; if deboned and sliced, it may be classified under 0304.
Product name
Fill in the Chinese and foreign names of the commodity, which should be specific to the species, such as "fresh Southern bluefin tuna" or "chilled Southern bluefin tuna".
⚠️ Only filling in "tuna" or "fresh fish", without specifying the specific variety.
State
Indicate the preservation method, such as "fresh" or "chilled", and specify the temperature conditions (such as chilled at 0-4°C).
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in as "frozen" or "freeze", resulting in classification errors.
Latin scientific name
Provide the Latin scientific name of Southern bluefin tuna, Thunnus maccoyii, to ensure species accuracy.
⚠️ Spelling errors or using the scientific name of another tuna.
Specifications
Fill in specification information such as individual weight and body length, such as "10-20 kg each".
⚠️ Vague specification descriptions, such as "large, medium, small".
Origin
Indicate the country/region of fishing or farming, such as "Australia".
⚠️ Not providing a specific origin or only writing "imported".
Processing method
State whether headed, gutted, finned, etc., such as "headed and gutted, not deboned".
⚠️ Not indicating the processing state, resulting in confusion with fish fillets.
Package type
Describe the packaging method, such as "boxed, 20 kg per box".
⚠️ Omitting packaging information or filling it in incompletely.
Example： Product name: Fresh Southern bluefin tuna; State: Chilled (0-4°C); Latin scientific name: Thunnus maccoyii; Specifications: 15-25 kg each; Origin: Australia; Processing method: Headed and gutted, not deboned; Package type: Foam box with ice, 20 kg per box.
Common Mistakes：
Incorrectly declaring chilled as frozen, resulting in classification under 0303 rather than 0302.
Not providing the Latin scientific name, which may raise suspicion of another tuna variety.
Unclear description of the processing method; if deboned and sliced, it may be classified under 0304.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1) the commodity state is fresh or chilled; 2) the species is Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii); 3) it has not been smoked, frozen or deeply processed. According to the General Rules for HS classification, it should be classified under 030236. 030231 Fresh or chilled albacore tuna: Different species. Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) and Southern bluefin tuna differ in morphology and distribution, and the subheadings are clearly distinguished. 030234 Fresh or chilled bigeye tuna: Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) differs from Southern bluefin tuna, and classification requires species identification. 030235 Fresh or chilled bluefin tuna: This subheading usually refers to Northern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), while 030236 specifically refers to Southern bluefin tuna, and care should be taken to distinguish them. 030239 Other fresh or chilled tuna: If it cannot be determined to be Southern bluefin tuna, it may be classified under this subheading, but evidence must be provided. 0303 Frozen fish: Different preservation state. Frozen Southern bluefin tuna is classified under 0303, not 0302. Is it confirmed to be in fresh or chilled state? Has it been identified as Southern bluefin tuna? Has it not been smoked, frozen or sliced? Is the Latin scientific name accurate? Has the processing method not changed the essential characteristics?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1) the commodity state is fresh or chilled; 2) the species is Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii); 3) it has not been smoked, frozen or deeply processed. According to the General Rules for HS classification, it should be classified under 030236.
Confused Codes：
030231 - Fresh or chilled albacore tuna
Different species. Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) and Southern bluefin tuna differ in morphology and distribution, and the subheadings are clearly distinguished.
030234 - Fresh or chilled bigeye tuna
Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) differs from Southern bluefin tuna, and classification requires species identification.
030235 - Fresh or chilled bluefin tuna
This subheading usually refers to Northern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), while 030236 specifically refers to Southern bluefin tuna, and care should be taken to distinguish them.
030239 - Other fresh or chilled tuna
If it cannot be determined to be Southern bluefin tuna, it may be classified under this subheading, but evidence must be provided.
0303 - Frozen fish
Different preservation state. Frozen Southern bluefin tuna is classified under 0303, not 0302.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it confirmed to be in fresh or chilled state?
✓ Has it been identified as Southern bluefin tuna?
✓ Has it not been smoked, frozen or sliced?
✓ Is the Latin scientific name accurate?
✓ Has the processing method not changed the essential characteristics?
❓ FAQ
How can the HS code for Southern bluefin tuna be confirmed? First confirm that the commodity is in fresh or chilled state, then identify the species through the Latin scientific name Thunnus maccoyii, and finally look up 030236 in the HS code. If frozen, it is classified under 0303; if filleted, it is classified under 0304. What is the difference in classification between Southern bluefin tuna and Northern bluefin tuna? Both are bluefin tuna, but their HS codes differ: Northern bluefin tuna is classified under 030235, and Southern bluefin tuna under 030236. Classification must be accurately distinguished by species to avoid confusion. Is it necessary to provide the Latin scientific name when declaring? Yes, the Latin scientific name is key information proving the species. Especially for endangered species such as tuna, customs may require CITES certificates or other documents. It is recommended to always fill in the Latin scientific name when declaring. If Southern bluefin tuna has been deboned, is it still classified under 030236? If only headed, gutted and finned, but not deboned or sliced, it can still be classified under 030236. If it has been deboned or cut into fillets, it is classified under 0304 (fresh or chilled fish fillets). How can the tariff rate for 030236 be checked? Tariff rates change due to country, trade agreements, etc. It is recommended to obtain the latest rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs or by consulting the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China. Also pay attention to preferential rates under free trade agreements. What regulatory documents are required to import Southern bluefin tuna? Usually, an inbound goods customs clearance form, certificate of origin, health certificate, etc. are required. If endangered species are involved, a CITES import/export permit is also required. The specific requirements are subject to the latest customs requirements. Does this code apply to cross-border e-commerce sales of Southern bluefin tuna? Cross-border e-commerce retail imported goods also need to be classified according to the HS code, and 030236 applies to fresh or chilled Southern bluefin tuna. However, cross-border e-commerce has a special positive list and regulatory conditions, and it is necessary to check whether import is permitted. What are the consequences of incorrectly classifying Southern bluefin tuna under 030239? It may lead to classification errors, affect tariff collection and trade statistics, and even result in customs penalties. It is recommended to declare truthfully and apply for advance classification if necessary.
Q: How can the HS code for Southern bluefin tuna be confirmed?
A: First confirm that the commodity is in fresh or chilled state, then identify the species through the Latin scientific name Thunnus maccoyii, and finally look up 030236 in the HS code. If frozen, it is classified under 0303; if filleted, it is classified under 0304.
Q: What is the difference in classification between Southern bluefin tuna and Northern bluefin tuna?
A: Both are bluefin tuna, but their HS codes differ: Northern bluefin tuna is classified under 030235, and Southern bluefin tuna under 030236. Classification must be accurately distinguished by species to avoid confusion.
Q: Is it necessary to provide the Latin scientific name when declaring?
A: Yes, the Latin scientific name is key information proving the species. Especially for endangered species such as tuna, customs may require CITES certificates or other documents. It is recommended to always fill in the Latin scientific name when declaring.
Q: If Southern bluefin tuna has been deboned, is it still classified under 030236?
A: If only headed, gutted and finned, but not deboned or sliced, it can still be classified under 030236. If it has been deboned or cut into fillets, it is classified under 0304 (fresh or chilled fish fillets).
Q: How can the tariff rate for 030236 be checked?
A: Tariff rates change due to country, trade agreements, etc. It is recommended to obtain the latest rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs or by consulting the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China. Also pay attention to preferential rates under free trade agreements.
Q: What regulatory documents are required to import Southern bluefin tuna?
A: Usually, an inbound goods customs clearance form, certificate of origin, health certificate, etc. are required. If endangered species are involved, a CITES import/export permit is also required. The specific requirements are subject to the latest customs requirements.
Q: Does this code apply to cross-border e-commerce sales of Southern bluefin tuna?
A: Cross-border e-commerce retail imported goods also need to be classified according to the HS code, and 030236 applies to fresh or chilled Southern bluefin tuna. However, cross-border e-commerce has a special positive list and regulatory conditions, and it is necessary to check whether import is permitted.
Q: What are the consequences of incorrectly classifying Southern bluefin tuna under 030239?
A: It may lead to classification errors, affect tariff collection and trade statistics, and even result in customs penalties. It is recommended to declare truthfully and apply for advance 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.