Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. Within the chapter, classification is based on degree of processing (live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, etc.) and species. This chapter does not include prepared fish products (classified under Chapter 16), ornamental fish (0301), or certain aquatic mammals (0106). Heading 0302 includes fresh or chilled fish, but excludes fish fillets and other fish meat (0304), fish livers and roes (specifically listed under 0302 or 0303), and live fish (0301). This heading covers various fish species, such as salmon, trout, catfish, cyprinids, etc., subdivided by species. The first 2 digits 03 represent Chapter 3 'Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates.' Digits 3-4, 02, represent the heading 'Fresh or chilled fish, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of 0304.' Digits 5-6, 72, are the subheading, specifically referring to 'Catfish (including Silurus spp., Clarias spp., Ictalurus spp., etc.),' but only fresh or chilled. Note that subheading divisions are based on species, and a distinction must be made between fresh/chilled and frozen (0303), and fillets (0304). This product is fresh or chilled catfish, not frozen, dried, smoked, or processed into fillets, so it is classified under 0302 rather than 0303 (frozen fish), 0304 (fillets), or 0305 (dried, salted or smoked fish). Additionally, catfish has a specific subheading 030272 under 0302, so it is not classified under other subheadings such as 030273 (cyprinids), etc.
Chapter
Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. Within the chapter, classification is based on degree of processing (live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, etc.) and species. This chapter does not include prepared fish products (classified under Chapter 16), ornamental fish (0301), or certain aquatic mammals (0106).
Heading
Heading 0302 includes fresh or chilled fish, but excludes fish fillets and other fish meat (0304), fish livers and roes (specifically listed under 0302 or 0303), and live fish (0301). This heading covers various fish species, such as salmon, trout, catfish, cyprinids, etc., subdivided by species.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 03 represent Chapter 3 'Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates.' Digits 3-4, 02, represent the heading 'Fresh or chilled fish, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of 0304.' Digits 5-6, 72, are the subheading, specifically referring to 'Catfish (including Silurus spp., Clarias spp., Ictalurus spp., etc.),' but only fresh or chilled. Note that subheading divisions are based on species, and a distinction must be made between fresh/chilled and frozen (0303), and fillets (0304).
Classification Basis
This product is fresh or chilled catfish, not frozen, dried, smoked, or processed into fillets, so it is classified under 0302 rather than 0303 (frozen fish), 0304 (fillets), or 0305 (dried, salted or smoked fish). Additionally, catfish has a specific subheading 030272 under 0302, so it is not classified under other subheadings such as 030273 (cyprinids), etc.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared product, which should match the actual goods, such as 'fresh catfish' or 'chilled catfish.' Latin Scientific Name: Provide the Latin scientific name of the catfish, such as Silurus, Clarias, etc., for accurate classification. State: Specify whether fresh or chilled; fresh means not chilled, chilled means preserved at around 0°C. Specifications: Individual weight, body length, etc., such as 500 grams each, 30 cm body length. Packaging Method: Such as boxed, bulk, vacuum-packed, etc., and packaging quantity. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, declare 'none.' Use: Such as for consumption, processing raw materials, etc. Country of Origin: The country (region) of origin of the goods, affecting tariff rates and trade policies. Customs declaration example:
Product Name: Fresh Catfish
Latin Scientific Name: Clarias gariepinus
State: Fresh
Specifications: 500-800 grams each
Packaging Method: Boxed, 10 kg per box
Brand: None
Use: For consumption
Country of Origin: Vietnam
HS Code: 03027200 Misclassifying chilled catfish under 0303 (frozen fish), ignoring the temperature state difference. Not providing the Latin scientific name, making it impossible to distinguish catfish from other fish. Misclassifying catfish fillets under 030272, when they should actually be classified under 0304.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared product, which should match the actual goods, such as 'fresh catfish' or 'chilled catfish.'
⚠️ Declaring generically as 'fresh fish' without specifying catfish.
Latin Scientific Name
Provide the Latin scientific name of the catfish, such as Silurus, Clarias, etc., for accurate classification.
⚠️ Providing only the common name without the scientific name, leading to classification disputes.
State
Specify whether fresh or chilled; fresh means not chilled, chilled means preserved at around 0°C.
⚠️ Confusing fresh with chilled, or incorrectly declaring as frozen.
Specifications
Individual weight, body length, etc., such as 500 grams each, 30 cm body length.
⚠️ Not providing specifications, affecting statistics and document review.
Packaging Method
Such as boxed, bulk, vacuum-packed, etc., and packaging quantity.
⚠️ Unclear packaging description, such as only writing 'packaging.'
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, declare 'none.'
⚠️ Ignoring brand declaration, or brand inconsistent with the actual product.
Use
Such as for consumption, processing raw materials, etc.
⚠️ Not declaring use, or false use.
Country of Origin
The country (region) of origin of the goods, affecting tariff rates and trade policies.
⚠️ Incorrect declaration of country of origin, leading to incorrect tariff application.
Example： Customs declaration example:
Product Name: Fresh Catfish
Latin Scientific Name: Clarias gariepinus
State: Fresh
Specifications: 500-800 grams each
Packaging Method: Boxed, 10 kg per box
Brand: None
Use: For consumption
Country of Origin: Vietnam
HS Code: 03027200
Common Mistakes：
Misclassifying chilled catfish under 0303 (frozen fish), ignoring the temperature state difference.
Not providing the Latin scientific name, making it impossible to distinguish catfish from other fish.
Misclassifying catfish fillets under 030272, when they should actually be classified under 0304.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) The product must be catfish (including Silurus, Clarias, Ictalurus, etc.); 2) The state is fresh or chilled, not frozen, dried, smoked, or processed; 3) Not fillets or other fish meat. Reference must be made to the 'Import and Export Tariff' and 'HS Explanatory Notes' descriptions of subheading 0302, and species confirmed with the Latin scientific name. 030273 Fresh or chilled cyprinids: Cyprinids (such as carp, grass carp) are in a different family from catfish, with different appearances and scientific names; accurate species identification is required for classification. 030289 Other fresh or chilled fish: This subheading is a residual provision, used only when the fish species is not listed under other subheadings of 0302; catfish is specifically listed, so it is not classified here. 030323 Frozen catfish: 030323 is frozen catfish, with a frozen state; 030272 is fresh or chilled, with different temperature treatment. 030431 Fresh or chilled catfish fillets: 030431 is catfish fillets, already sliced and processed; 030272 is whole or gutted but not sliced. 0305 Dried, salted or brined fish; smoked fish: 0305 includes dried, salted or smoked catfish, with different processing methods. Confirm the product is catfish (Latin scientific name matches). Confirm the state is fresh or chilled, not frozen. Confirm it is not processed into fillets or other fish meat. Confirm it has not been dried, smoked, or salted. Verify whether tariff subheading 030272 is currently valid.
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) The product must be catfish (including Silurus, Clarias, Ictalurus, etc.); 2) The state is fresh or chilled, not frozen, dried, smoked, or processed; 3) Not fillets or other fish meat. Reference must be made to the 'Import and Export Tariff' and 'HS Explanatory Notes' descriptions of subheading 0302, and species confirmed with the Latin scientific name.
Confused Codes：
030273 - Fresh or chilled cyprinids
Cyprinids (such as carp, grass carp) are in a different family from catfish, with different appearances and scientific names; accurate species identification is required for classification.
030289 - Other fresh or chilled fish
This subheading is a residual provision, used only when the fish species is not listed under other subheadings of 0302; catfish is specifically listed, so it is not classified here.
030323 - Frozen catfish
030323 is frozen catfish, with a frozen state; 030272 is fresh or chilled, with different temperature treatment.
030431 - Fresh or chilled catfish fillets
030431 is catfish fillets, already sliced and processed; 030272 is whole or gutted but not sliced.
0305 - Dried, salted or brined fish; smoked fish
0305 includes dried, salted or smoked catfish, with different processing methods.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm the product is catfish (Latin scientific name matches).
✓ Confirm the state is fresh or chilled, not frozen.
✓ Confirm it is not processed into fillets or other fish meat.
✓ Confirm it has not been dried, smoked, or salted.
✓ Verify whether tariff subheading 030272 is currently valid.
❓ FAQ
How to check the tariff rate for HS code 030272? 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.' The tariff rate varies by country of origin and trade agreements (such as the ASEAN Agreement); you need to input the country of origin and product code to obtain the MFN rate, agreement rate, etc. Is there a difference in classification between fresh catfish and chilled catfish? There is no difference; both are classified under 030272. Fresh means not chilled, chilled means preserved at around 0°C; both fall under the 'fresh or chilled' category in the HS code. If the catfish is frozen, which code should it be classified under? Frozen catfish should be classified under 030323 (frozen catfish), not 030272. Note that 030323 is a subheading under 0303, applicable to frozen fish. Is it necessary to provide the Latin scientific name when declaring? It is recommended to provide the Latin scientific name, especially when the catfish species may cause classification disputes. The Latin scientific name helps customs accurately identify the species and avoid classification under other subheadings. Should catfish fillets be classified under 030272? No. Catfish fillets are classified under 030431 (fresh or chilled catfish fillets), because 030272 only covers whole or gutted but not sliced catfish. What is the difference between 030272 and 030289? 030272 specifically lists catfish; 030289 is a residual subheading for 'other fish.' If the fish species is not listed under other subheadings of 0302, it is classified under 030289. Catfish is specifically listed, so it is not classified under 030289. What inspection and quarantine requirements are needed for importing catfish? It must comply with the inspection and quarantine regulations of China Customs, including country of origin access, overseas manufacturer registration, accompanying certificates (such as health certificates, certificates of origin), etc. For details, consult relevant announcements from the Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine of the General Administration of Customs. How to distinguish catfish from cyprinids? Catfish usually have no scales, have barbels, and a small dorsal fin; cyprinids have scales, no barbels (or small barbels), and a longer dorsal fin. Classification is based on the Latin scientific name; catfish is classified under 030272, cyprinids under 030273.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for HS code 030272?
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.' The tariff rate varies by country of origin and trade agreements (such as the ASEAN Agreement); you need to input the country of origin and product code to obtain the MFN rate, agreement rate, etc.
Q: Is there a difference in classification between fresh catfish and chilled catfish?
A: There is no difference; both are classified under 030272. Fresh means not chilled, chilled means preserved at around 0°C; both fall under the 'fresh or chilled' category in the HS code.
Q: If the catfish is frozen, which code should it be classified under?
A: Frozen catfish should be classified under 030323 (frozen catfish), not 030272. Note that 030323 is a subheading under 0303, applicable to frozen fish.
Q: Is it necessary to provide the Latin scientific name when declaring?
A: It is recommended to provide the Latin scientific name, especially when the catfish species may cause classification disputes. The Latin scientific name helps customs accurately identify the species and avoid classification under other subheadings.
Q: Should catfish fillets be classified under 030272?
A: No. Catfish fillets are classified under 030431 (fresh or chilled catfish fillets), because 030272 only covers whole or gutted but not sliced catfish.
Q: What is the difference between 030272 and 030289?
A: 030272 specifically lists catfish; 030289 is a residual subheading for 'other fish.' If the fish species is not listed under other subheadings of 0302, it is classified under 030289. Catfish is specifically listed, so it is not classified under 030289.
Q: What inspection and quarantine requirements are needed for importing catfish?
A: It must comply with the inspection and quarantine regulations of China Customs, including country of origin access, overseas manufacturer registration, accompanying certificates (such as health certificates, certificates of origin), etc. For details, consult relevant announcements from the Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine of the General Administration of Customs.
Q: How to distinguish catfish from cyprinids?
A: Catfish usually have no scales, have barbels, and a small dorsal fin; cyprinids have scales, no barbels (or small barbels), and a longer dorsal fin. Classification is based on the Latin scientific name; catfish is classified under 030272, cyprinids under 030273.
⚠️ 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.