Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, including all types of preservation such as live, fresh or chilled, frozen, dried, smoked, salted, etc. This chapter is a core chapter in international trade of aquatic products, involving the entire chain of fishing, aquaculture, and processing. Within the chapter, tariff headings are subdivided by species and degree of processing, such as 0301 live fish, 0302 fresh or chilled fish, 0303 frozen fish, etc. Heading 0302 refers specifically to fresh or chilled fish, excluding frozen (0303), fillets (0304), dried, smoked or salted (0305), etc. Under this heading, subheadings are listed by fish species, such as 0302.1 salmon, 0302.3 tuna, etc. Fresh or chilled status requires cold chain throughout but without freezing treatment, maintaining the original texture of the fish meat. Code 030239 consists of 6 digits. The first 2 digits "03" represent Chapter 03: Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. Digits 3-4 "02" represent heading 0302: Fresh or chilled fish, excluding fillets and other fish meat. Digits 5-6 "39" represent subheading 0302.39: Other tuna (i.e., tuna species other than 0302.31 albacore, 0302.32 southern bluefin tuna, 0302.33 yellowfin tuna, 0302.34 bigeye tuna, 0302.35 Pacific bluefin tuna, 0302.36 Atlantic bluefin tuna). This commodity is fresh or chilled other tuna. Since it is not frozen and not processed into fillets, it is classified under 0302 rather than 0303 or 0304; since it is not among the specifically named tunas such as albacore, bluefin, yellowfin, or bigeye, it is classified under the "other" subheading 0302.39. If frozen, it would be classified under 0303; if filleted, under 0304.
Chapter
Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, including all types of preservation such as live, fresh or chilled, frozen, dried, smoked, salted, etc. This chapter is a core chapter in international trade of aquatic products, involving the entire chain of fishing, aquaculture, and processing. Within the chapter, tariff headings are subdivided by species and degree of processing, such as 0301 live fish, 0302 fresh or chilled fish, 0303 frozen fish, etc.
Heading
Heading 0302 refers specifically to fresh or chilled fish, excluding frozen (0303), fillets (0304), dried, smoked or salted (0305), etc. Under this heading, subheadings are listed by fish species, such as 0302.1 salmon, 0302.3 tuna, etc. Fresh or chilled status requires cold chain throughout but without freezing treatment, maintaining the original texture of the fish meat.
Digit Breakdown
Code 030239 consists of 6 digits. The first 2 digits "03" represent Chapter 03: Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. Digits 3-4 "02" represent heading 0302: Fresh or chilled fish, excluding fillets and other fish meat. Digits 5-6 "39" represent subheading 0302.39: Other tuna (i.e., tuna species other than 0302.31 albacore, 0302.32 southern bluefin tuna, 0302.33 yellowfin tuna, 0302.34 bigeye tuna, 0302.35 Pacific bluefin tuna, 0302.36 Atlantic bluefin tuna).
Classification Basis
This commodity is fresh or chilled other tuna. Since it is not frozen and not processed into fillets, it is classified under 0302 rather than 0303 or 0304; since it is not among the specifically named tunas such as albacore, bluefin, yellowfin, or bigeye, it is classified under the "other" subheading 0302.39. If frozen, it would be classified under 0303; if filleted, under 0304.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name (Chinese and foreign language): Fill in the specific tuna species, such as skipjack, bullet tuna, etc., and indicate fresh or chilled status. Method of production or preservation: Specify "fresh" or "chilled"; for chilled, indicate the temperature range (e.g., 0-4°C). State (whole, headless, gutted, etc.): Describe the degree of processing of the fish body, such as whole, gilled, gutted, headless, etc. Latin scientific name: Provide the Latin scientific name of the genus Thunnus or other related genera for species identification. Specifications (weight per fish/body length): Fill in according to trade practice, such as XX grams or XX centimeters per fish, for statistics and price review. Brand (if any): Fill in the manufacturer's or trader's brand; if no brand, write "none". Packaging specifications: Describe the packaging method, such as foam boxes, chilled boxes, net weight per box, etc. Product name: Fresh skipjack tuna; Method of production or preservation: Chilled, temperature 0-4°C; State: Whole, gutted; Latin scientific name: Katsuwonus pelamis; Specifications: 1.5-2.0 kg per fish; Brand: None; Packaging specifications: Foam box, net weight 20 kg per box. Mistakenly declaring chilled tuna as frozen, leading to incorrect classification under 0303. Failing to provide the Latin scientific name, unable to prove it belongs to the "other tuna" subheading. Unclear state description, such as not indicating whether headless and gutted, affecting document review.
Product name (Chinese and foreign language)
Fill in the specific tuna species, such as skipjack, bullet tuna, etc., and indicate fresh or chilled status.
⚠️ Writing only "tuna" without specifying the species, or mistakenly writing frozen.
Method of production or preservation
Specify "fresh" or "chilled"; for chilled, indicate the temperature range (e.g., 0-4°C).
⚠️ Writing "frozen" or "ice-chilled" without indicating temperature.
State (whole, headless, gutted, etc.)
Describe the degree of processing of the fish body, such as whole, gilled, gutted, headless, etc.
⚠️ Failing to indicate whether gutted, leading to classification disputes.
Latin scientific name
Provide the Latin scientific name of the genus Thunnus or other related genera for species identification.
⚠️ Misspelling the scientific name or using a common name instead.
Specifications (weight per fish/body length)
Fill in according to trade practice, such as XX grams or XX centimeters per fish, for statistics and price review.
⚠️ Inconsistent units of specification, such as mixing grams and kilograms.
Brand (if any)
Fill in the manufacturer's or trader's brand; if no brand, write "none".
⚠️ Brand does not match the actual goods.
Packaging specifications
Describe the packaging method, such as foam boxes, chilled boxes, net weight per box, etc.
⚠️ Packaging description too general, such as only writing "boxed".
Example： Product name: Fresh skipjack tuna; Method of production or preservation: Chilled, temperature 0-4°C; State: Whole, gutted; Latin scientific name: Katsuwonus pelamis; Specifications: 1.5-2.0 kg per fish; Brand: None; Packaging specifications: Foam box, net weight 20 kg per box.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly declaring chilled tuna as frozen, leading to incorrect classification under 0303.
Failing to provide the Latin scientific name, unable to prove it belongs to the "other tuna" subheading.
Unclear state description, such as not indicating whether headless and gutted, affecting document review.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) The commodity must be fish of the genus Thunnus or other related genera (such as Katsuwonus); 2) The preservation state is fresh or chilled, not frozen; 3) Not processed into fillets or other fish meat (otherwise classified under 0304); 4) Not among the tuna species specifically listed in 0302.31 to 0302.36. Meeting the above conditions results in classification under 0302.39. 030231 Fresh or chilled albacore tuna: Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) has an independent subheading; if it is other tuna, it is classified under 030239. 030232 Fresh or chilled southern bluefin tuna: Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) is specifically listed; other bluefin tunas need to be distinguished. 030233 Fresh or chilled yellowfin tuna: Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) has an independent subheading and cannot be classified under 030239. 030234 Fresh or chilled bigeye tuna: Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) is specifically listed; other tunas are classified under 030239. 030239 Other fresh or chilled tuna: Applies only to tuna species not specifically listed, such as skipjack, bullet tuna, etc. Is the fish species confirmed to be of the genus Thunnus or related genera? Is the preservation state fresh or chilled (not frozen)? Is it not processed into fillets or other fish meat? Are the specifically listed species in 0302.31 to 0302.36 excluded? Is the Latin scientific name accurate and provided?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) The commodity must be fish of the genus Thunnus or other related genera (such as Katsuwonus); 2) The preservation state is fresh or chilled, not frozen; 3) Not processed into fillets or other fish meat (otherwise classified under 0304); 4) Not among the tuna species specifically listed in 0302.31 to 0302.36. Meeting the above conditions results in classification under 0302.39.
Confused Codes：
030231 - Fresh or chilled albacore tuna
Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) has an independent subheading; if it is other tuna, it is classified under 030239.
030232 - Fresh or chilled southern bluefin tuna
Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) is specifically listed; other bluefin tunas need to be distinguished.
030233 - Fresh or chilled yellowfin tuna
Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) has an independent subheading and cannot be classified under 030239.
030234 - Fresh or chilled bigeye tuna
Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) is specifically listed; other tunas are classified under 030239.
030239 - Other fresh or chilled tuna
Applies only to tuna species not specifically listed, such as skipjack, bullet tuna, etc.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the fish species confirmed to be of the genus Thunnus or related genera?
✓ Is the preservation state fresh or chilled (not frozen)?
✓ Is it not processed into fillets or other fish meat?
✓ Are the specifically listed species in 0302.31 to 0302.36 excluded?
✓ Is the Latin scientific name accurate and provided?
❓ FAQ
How to determine whether a tuna belongs to the "other" subheading 030239? First confirm the fish species is of the genus Thunnus or Katsuwonus, etc. If it is a specifically listed species such as albacore, bluefin, yellowfin, or bigeye, it should be classified under 0302.31 to 0302.36; if it is skipjack, bullet tuna, or other tunas, it is classified under 0302.39. Is there a difference in classification between fresh tuna and chilled tuna? No difference; both are classified under 0302. Fresh means without chilling treatment; chilled means stored at around 0°C. Both are not frozen, so both belong to 0302. However, if frozen, it is classified under 0303. Does headless and gutted tuna affect classification? No, as long as it is not processed into fillets or fish meat, it remains under 0302. However, the state must be truthfully indicated in the declaration elements for customs review. If the tuna is vacuum-packed, will the classification change? Vacuum packaging does not change the classification. As long as the preservation state is fresh or chilled, it remains under 0302. However, if vacuum-packed and then frozen, it is classified under 0303. How to check the import tariff rate for 030239? It can be checked through the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or the "Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China". The rate may vary depending on trade agreements, origin, etc. It is recommended to refer to the latest tariff. Is the Latin scientific name mandatory when declaring? Yes, the Latin scientific name is key to proving the fish species, especially for the "other tuna" subheading. Customs may require the scientific name to confirm classification. It is recommended to attach a certificate of origin or test report. What are the consequences of mistakenly declaring frozen tuna as fresh or chilled? It may lead to incorrect classification, affecting tariffs and regulatory conditions, and may even constitute false declaration. Customs may require supplementary tax payment, fines, and in serious cases affect the enterprise's credit rating. For cross-border e-commerce sales of fresh tuna, how to determine the HS code? It depends on the actual commodity state: if fresh or chilled whole fish, classify under 0302.39; if frozen, under 0303; if fillets, under 0304. It is recommended to consult a professional customs broker or customs.
Q: How to determine whether a tuna belongs to the "other" subheading 030239?
A: First confirm the fish species is of the genus Thunnus or Katsuwonus, etc. If it is a specifically listed species such as albacore, bluefin, yellowfin, or bigeye, it should be classified under 0302.31 to 0302.36; if it is skipjack, bullet tuna, or other tunas, it is classified under 0302.39.
Q: Is there a difference in classification between fresh tuna and chilled tuna?
A: No difference; both are classified under 0302. Fresh means without chilling treatment; chilled means stored at around 0°C. Both are not frozen, so both belong to 0302. However, if frozen, it is classified under 0303.
Q: Does headless and gutted tuna affect classification?
A: No, as long as it is not processed into fillets or fish meat, it remains under 0302. However, the state must be truthfully indicated in the declaration elements for customs review.
Q: If the tuna is vacuum-packed, will the classification change?
A: Vacuum packaging does not change the classification. As long as the preservation state is fresh or chilled, it remains under 0302. However, if vacuum-packed and then frozen, it is classified under 0303.
Q: How to check the import tariff rate for 030239?
A: It can be checked through the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or the "Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China". The rate may vary depending on trade agreements, origin, etc. It is recommended to refer to the latest tariff.
Q: Is the Latin scientific name mandatory when declaring?
A: Yes, the Latin scientific name is key to proving the fish species, especially for the "other tuna" subheading. Customs may require the scientific name to confirm classification. It is recommended to attach a certificate of origin or test report.
Q: What are the consequences of mistakenly declaring frozen tuna as fresh or chilled?
A: It may lead to incorrect classification, affecting tariffs and regulatory conditions, and may even constitute false declaration. Customs may require supplementary tax payment, fines, and in serious cases affect the enterprise's credit rating.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce sales of fresh tuna, how to determine the HS code?
A: It depends on the actual commodity state: if fresh or chilled whole fish, classify under 0302.39; if frozen, under 0303; if fillets, under 0304. It is recommended to consult a professional customs broker or customs.
⚠️ 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.