Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, including live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, smoked and other processed products. This chapter is a core chapter in international trade of aquatic products, involving the entire chain of fishing, aquaculture and processing. Within the chapter, headings are divided by aquatic species and processing methods, such as 0301 live fish, 0302 fresh or chilled fish, 0303 frozen fish, etc., involving dozens of headings, and it is an important basis for customs supervision and statistics. Heading 0302 specifically covers fresh or chilled fish, but excludes fish fillets and other fish meat (classified under 0304), fish livers and roes (classified under 0305), and whole or cut smoked fish (classified under 0305). Fish under this heading must remain fresh or chilled, usually transported with ice or cold chain, ensuring the product has not been frozen. The heading is further subdivided by fish species, such as 0302.1 salmon, 0302.2 flatfish, 0302.3 tuna, etc. Antarctic toothfish is classified under 0302.8 other marine fish. Code 030283 is a 6-digit HS subheading: the first 2 digits '03' represent Chapter 3 'Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates'; digits 3-4 '02' represent heading 'fresh or chilled fish', distinguishing it from 0303 frozen fish, 0304 fish fillets, etc.; digits 5-6 '83' represent subheading 'Antarctic toothfish', a subdivision under heading 0302 for other marine fish (0302.8). This subheading was newly added in the 2017 HS revision, specifically for Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni), to strengthen regulation of its trade, as it is a species controlled by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). Antarctic toothfish (scientific name Dissostichus mawsoni) is a large fish living in Antarctic waters, and its fresh or chilled state should be classified under 0302. The difference from 0303 frozen fish lies in the preservation state: if frozen, it is classified under 0303.89; the difference from 0304 fish fillets lies in the degree of processing: if cut into fillets, it is classified under 0304.4; the difference from 0305 smoked fish lies in the processing method. In addition, 0302.83 specifically refers to Antarctic toothfish, while 0302.84 is Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides), and the two must be distinguished by species.

Product name: Fill in the Chinese and foreign names of the commodity, specifying the species, such as 'fresh Antarctic toothfish' or 'chilled Antarctic toothfish', avoiding general names such as 'marine fish'. Latin scientific name: Fill in the Latin scientific name of the species. Antarctic toothfish should be Dissostichus mawsoni. Ensure accurate spelling, used for species identification and supervision. State: Indicate 'fresh' or 'chilled'. Fresh fish refers to fish not chilled, chilled fish refers to fish preserved with ice or refrigeration equipment; both are classified under 0302. Specification: Fill in individual weight, body length or grading specifications, such as '5-10 kg per fish', which helps customs statistics and price verification. Fishing area: Fill in the FAO fishing area or CCAMLR statistical area, such as 'Antarctic Area 48'. Fishing of Antarctic toothfish is regulated by CCAMLR and a catch certificate is required. Fishing method: Fill in longline, trawl or other fishing methods. CCAMLR has special requirements for certain fishing methods, which must be declared truthfully. Brand: Fill in the manufacturer or exporter brand; if no brand, fill in 'none'. Used for verification of intellectual property customs protection records. Production date: Fill in the fishing or processing date. Fresh and chilled fish have a short shelf life; ensure it is within the validity period. Format is YYYY-MM-DD. Product name: fresh Antarctic toothfish; Latin scientific name: Dissostichus mawsoni; State: chilled; Specification: 8-12 kg per fish; Fishing area: Antarctic Area 48.1; Fishing method: longline; Brand: none; Production date: 2025-03-15; Manufacturer: XX Fisheries Company; Attached documents: CCAMLR catch certificate, health certificate, certificate of origin. Misclassifying chilled Antarctic toothfish as 0303 frozen fish, leading to incorrect regulatory conditions. Failing to provide CCAMLR catch certificate, unable to prove legal origin, may be detained. Incorrect spelling of Latin scientific name, leading to failure in species identification and affecting customs clearance.

The core basis for classification is the 'Import and Export Tariff' and the 'HS Explanatory Notes'. First, the commodity must be fresh or chilled fish, not frozen, smoked, salted or otherwise processed; second, the species must be Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni), not other toothfish; finally, parts such as fillets and livers must be excluded. Customs will review the Latin scientific name, catch certificate, state description, etc., and may conduct laboratory identification if necessary. 030284 Fresh or chilled Patagonian toothfish: Different species: 030284 is Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides), mainly distributed in temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere; 030283 is Antarctic toothfish, distributed in Antarctic waters. They are similar in appearance but differ in distribution and regulatory requirements. 030389 Frozen other marine fish: Different state: 030389 is frozen fish, 030283 is fresh or chilled fish. If Antarctic toothfish is frozen, it is classified under 030389, not 030283. 030449 Fresh or chilled fish fillets: Different degree of processing: 030449 is fish fillets, 030283 is whole fish. If Antarctic toothfish is cut into fillets, it is classified under 030449. 030569 Salted fish: Different processing method: 030569 is salted or brined fish, 030283 is fresh or chilled fish. If Antarctic toothfish is salted, it is classified under 030569. 030549 Smoked fish: Different processing method: 030549 is smoked fish, 030283 is fresh or chilled fish. If Antarctic toothfish is smoked, it is classified under 030549. Confirm the commodity state is fresh or chilled, not frozen. Confirm the Latin scientific name is Dissostichus mawsoni. Confirm it is not fillets, livers or other parts. Confirm it has not been smoked, salted or otherwise processed. Confirm the attached CCAMLR catch certificate and other regulatory documents.

How to distinguish Antarctic toothfish from Patagonian toothfish? They are similar in appearance, but can be distinguished by distribution area, Latin scientific name and catch certificate. Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) is mainly distributed in Antarctic waters and is strictly regulated by CCAMLR; Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) is distributed in temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere. For customs classification, the Latin scientific name and fishing area certificate must be provided, and DNA identification may be conducted if necessary. What regulatory documents are required for importing fresh Antarctic toothfish? A CCAMLR catch certificate (or re-export certificate), official health certificate of the exporting country, certificate of origin, import animal and plant quarantine permit, etc. are required. In addition, customs declaration must be processed, and inspection and quarantine may be required. Specific document requirements can be queried from the General Administration of Customs or by consulting local customs. What are the tariff rate and VAT rate for 030283? Tax rates are adjusted according to national policies; please refer to the latest 'Import and Export Tariff' of customs. They can be queried through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker. Generally, fresh and chilled fish have lower tariffs, and VAT is 9% or 13%, depending on the origin and trade agreement. If Antarctic toothfish is frozen, which code should it be classified under? Frozen Antarctic toothfish should be classified under 0303.89 (frozen other marine fish), not 030283. If cut into fillets and frozen, it is classified under 0304.4. Classification should be based on the actual state and degree of processing to avoid incorrect declaration. What are the consequences of filling in the wrong Latin scientific name during declaration? The Latin scientific name is key to species identification. Filling it incorrectly may lead to incorrect classification, inconsistent regulatory documents, or even suspected smuggling. Customs may require laboratory identification, resulting in additional costs and delays. It is recommended to confirm the accurate scientific name with the supplier and check the catch certificate. How to obtain the CCAMLR catch certificate? The CCAMLR catch certificate is issued by the fisheries authority of the exporting country, certifying that the catch is legal and complies with conservation measures. The importer needs to obtain the original from the exporter and submit it during customs declaration. If re-exported, a re-export certificate is required. Specific procedures can be consulted with the exporting country's authority or the CCAMLR official website. What are the inspection and quarantine requirements for importing fresh Antarctic toothfish? It must comply with the 'Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Inspection and Quarantine of Imported and Exported Aquatic Products', including official health certificate of the exporting country, packaging labels, cold chain transportation, etc. Upon entry, sampling tests for heavy metals, drug residues, microorganisms, etc. may be conducted. An import animal and plant quarantine permit must be obtained in advance, and entry must be at a designated port. How to fill in 030283 and 030284 on the customs declaration form? Fill in according to the actual species: Antarctic toothfish is 030283, Patagonian toothfish is 030284. They must be clearly distinguished in the product name and Latin scientific name fields, and corresponding catch certificates must be attached. If uncertain, a customs advance classification ruling can be applied for.