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 the core chapter for trade in aquatic products, involving fishing, aquaculture, processing and other stages. Within the chapter, classification is based on the degree of processing and species: fresh or chilled fish fall under 0302, frozen fish under 0303, fish fillets under 0304, etc. Heading 0302 covers fresh or chilled fish, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat (0304). This heading includes whole fish, fish with head and viscera removed but not further processed, and fish merely salted or smoked (but smoked fish not cooked remains classified here). Mainly for human consumption, common species include salmon, cod, sea bream, etc. Code 030285 is a 6-digit subheading: the first 2 digits '03' indicate Chapter 3 (fish, crustaceans, etc.); digits 3-4 '02' indicate heading 0302 (fresh or chilled fish); digits 5-6 '85' indicate subheading 030285 (fresh or chilled sea bream). The subheading further distinguishes sea bream from other fresh or chilled fish. Sea bream belongs to the family Sparidae, order Perciformes, and common species include red sea bream, black sea bream, etc. The product is fresh or chilled sea bream, not frozen, sliced or further processed, so it is classified under 0302 rather than 0303 (frozen fish) or 0304 (fish fillets). Meanwhile, sea bream has a specific subheading 030285 under 0302, so it is not classified under other subheadings of 0302 (such as 030289).
Chapter
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 the core chapter for trade in aquatic products, involving fishing, aquaculture, processing and other stages. Within the chapter, classification is based on the degree of processing and species: fresh or chilled fish fall under 0302, frozen fish under 0303, fish fillets under 0304, etc.
Heading
Heading 0302 covers fresh or chilled fish, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat (0304). This heading includes whole fish, fish with head and viscera removed but not further processed, and fish merely salted or smoked (but smoked fish not cooked remains classified here). Mainly for human consumption, common species include salmon, cod, sea bream, etc.
Digit Breakdown
Code 030285 is a 6-digit subheading: the first 2 digits '03' indicate Chapter 3 (fish, crustaceans, etc.); digits 3-4 '02' indicate heading 0302 (fresh or chilled fish); digits 5-6 '85' indicate subheading 030285 (fresh or chilled sea bream). The subheading further distinguishes sea bream from other fresh or chilled fish. Sea bream belongs to the family Sparidae, order Perciformes, and common species include red sea bream, black sea bream, etc.
Classification Basis
The product is fresh or chilled sea bream, not frozen, sliced or further processed, so it is classified under 0302 rather than 0303 (frozen fish) or 0304 (fish fillets). Meanwhile, sea bream has a specific subheading 030285 under 0302, so it is not classified under other subheadings of 0302 (such as 030289).
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Fill in the Chinese and foreign language names of the product, which should correspond to the HS code, such as 'fresh sea bream' or 'chilled sea bream'. Method of production or preservation: Indicate 'fresh' or 'chilled', and whether headed, gutted, sliced, etc. State: Fill in 'whole', 'headed', 'gutted', etc., reflecting the degree of processing. Latin scientific name: Provide the Latin scientific name of the sea bream, such as Sparus aurata, to ensure species accuracy. Specifications: Fill in individual weight or length, such as '500-800 grams per fish'. Origin: Fill in the country/region of capture or aquaculture, such as 'China', 'Norway'. Brand: If there is a brand, fill in the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'none'. Customs declaration example:
Product name: Fresh sea bream (Sparus aurata)
Method of production or preservation: Fresh, whole, gutted
State: Whole
Latin scientific name: Sparus aurata
Specifications: 500-800 grams per fish
Origin: China
Brand: None
HS code: 0302850000 Mistakenly declaring chilled sea bream as frozen sea bream, leading to classification under 0303 instead of 0302. Mistakenly classifying headed and gutted but unsliced sea bream as fish fillets (0304). Ignoring the Latin scientific name, resulting in unclear species classification.
Product name
Fill in the Chinese and foreign language names of the product, which should correspond to the HS code, such as 'fresh sea bream' or 'chilled sea bream'.
⚠️ Mistakenly writing 'frozen sea bream' or 'sea bream fillet', leading to classification errors.
Method of production or preservation
Indicate 'fresh' or 'chilled', and whether headed, gutted, sliced, etc.
⚠️ Not indicating chilled, or incorrectly describing as 'frozen'.
State
Fill in 'whole', 'headed', 'gutted', etc., reflecting the degree of processing.
⚠️ Confusing 'whole' with 'fillet', leading to classification under 0304.
Latin scientific name
Provide the Latin scientific name of the sea bream, such as Sparus aurata, to ensure species accuracy.
⚠️ Using common names or incorrect scientific names, causing classification disputes.
Specifications
Fill in individual weight or length, such as '500-800 grams per fish'.
Fill in the country/region of capture or aquaculture, such as 'China', 'Norway'.
⚠️ Omitting origin information, resulting in unknown origin.
Brand
If there is a brand, fill in the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'none'.
⚠️ Brand inconsistent with actual, or omitted.
Example： Customs declaration example:
Product name: Fresh sea bream (Sparus aurata)
Method of production or preservation: Fresh, whole, gutted
State: Whole
Latin scientific name: Sparus aurata
Specifications: 500-800 grams per fish
Origin: China
Brand: None
HS code: 0302850000
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly declaring chilled sea bream as frozen sea bream, leading to classification under 0303 instead of 0302.
Mistakenly classifying headed and gutted but unsliced sea bream as fish fillets (0304).
Ignoring the Latin scientific name, resulting in unclear species classification.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: the product is in fresh or chilled state, not frozen, sliced, cooked or otherwise processed; the species is a fish of the family Sparidae. According to the Import and Export Tariff and its notes, fresh or chilled sea bream should be classified under 0302.85. If frozen, it is classified under 0303; if made into fillets, under 0304. 030289 Other fresh or chilled fish: 030289 covers fresh or chilled fish not elsewhere specified, while 030285 specifically refers to sea bream. If the species is not of the family Sparidae, it is classified under 030289. 030389 Other frozen fish: 030389 is for frozen fish; if sea bream is frozen, it is classified here, not under 030285. 030449 Fresh or chilled fish fillets: 030449 is for fresh or chilled fish fillets; if sea bream is sliced, it is classified here, not under 030285. 030285 Fresh or chilled sea bream: This code; note the distinction from 030284 (fresh or chilled sea bass), as sea bream and sea bass belong to different families. Is it fresh or chilled? Is it whole or only headed and gutted? Is it a fish of the family Sparidae? Is the Latin scientific name accurate? Is it not frozen or sliced?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: the product is in fresh or chilled state, not frozen, sliced, cooked or otherwise processed; the species is a fish of the family Sparidae. According to the Import and Export Tariff and its notes, fresh or chilled sea bream should be classified under 0302.85. If frozen, it is classified under 0303; if made into fillets, under 0304.
Confused Codes：
030289 - Other fresh or chilled fish
030289 covers fresh or chilled fish not elsewhere specified, while 030285 specifically refers to sea bream. If the species is not of the family Sparidae, it is classified under 030289.
030389 - Other frozen fish
030389 is for frozen fish; if sea bream is frozen, it is classified here, not under 030285.
030449 - Fresh or chilled fish fillets
030449 is for fresh or chilled fish fillets; if sea bream is sliced, it is classified here, not under 030285.
030285 - Fresh or chilled sea bream
This code; note the distinction from 030284 (fresh or chilled sea bass), as sea bream and sea bass belong to different families.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it fresh or chilled?
✓ Is it whole or only headed and gutted?
✓ Is it a fish of the family Sparidae?
✓ Is the Latin scientific name accurate?
✓ Is it not frozen or sliced?
❓ FAQ
How to query the HS code for fresh sea bream? First confirm that the product state is fresh or chilled, not frozen or sliced, then based on the species being of the family Sparidae, look up Chapter 3, heading 0302 in the Import and Export Tariff; subheading 030285 is for fresh or chilled sea bream. What is the difference in HS codes between chilled sea bream and frozen sea bream? Chilled sea bream is classified under 030285, frozen sea bream under 030389 (other frozen fish) or specific subheadings under 0303. The key difference is the preservation temperature: chilled is around 0°C, frozen is below -18°C. Does the HS code change after sea bream is headed and gutted? No. As long as it is not sliced or frozen, it remains a fresh or chilled whole fish, classified under 030285. If further sliced, it is classified under 0304. Is the Latin scientific name required for declaration? Yes, the Latin scientific name is key to determining species classification, especially for products like sea bream that have a specific subheading. An accurate scientific name must be provided, such as Sparus aurata. If sea bream is salted but not dried, which code should it be classified under? Is salted but not dried sea bream still considered fresh or chilled fish? In fact, salted fish is classified under 0305. If only lightly salted for preservation, it may still be classified under 0302, but this depends on the degree of processing. What should be noted when declaring fresh sea bream for cross-border e-commerce sales? Ensure cold chain transportation, indicate the preservation method as chilled in the declaration, provide the Latin scientific name, origin, specifications, etc., and confirm the HS code is 030285 to avoid misclassification as frozen fish or fillets. What is the difference between 030285 and 030284? 030284 is for fresh or chilled sea bass, 030285 for fresh or chilled sea bream. The species are different: sea bass belongs to the family Moronidae, sea bream to the family Sparidae. Classification should be distinguished by the Latin scientific name. How to confirm whether sea bream belongs to 030285? You can consult the subheading notes of the Import and Export Tariff or customs classification decisions to confirm that fish of the family Sparidae fall under 030285. Common sea bream such as red sea bream and black sea bream are classified under this code.
Q: How to query the HS code for fresh sea bream?
A: First confirm that the product state is fresh or chilled, not frozen or sliced, then based on the species being of the family Sparidae, look up Chapter 3, heading 0302 in the Import and Export Tariff; subheading 030285 is for fresh or chilled sea bream.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between chilled sea bream and frozen sea bream?
A: Chilled sea bream is classified under 030285, frozen sea bream under 030389 (other frozen fish) or specific subheadings under 0303. The key difference is the preservation temperature: chilled is around 0°C, frozen is below -18°C.
Q: Does the HS code change after sea bream is headed and gutted?
A: No. As long as it is not sliced or frozen, it remains a fresh or chilled whole fish, classified under 030285. If further sliced, it is classified under 0304.
Q: Is the Latin scientific name required for declaration?
A: Yes, the Latin scientific name is key to determining species classification, especially for products like sea bream that have a specific subheading. An accurate scientific name must be provided, such as Sparus aurata.
Q: If sea bream is salted but not dried, which code should it be classified under?
A: Is salted but not dried sea bream still considered fresh or chilled fish? In fact, salted fish is classified under 0305. If only lightly salted for preservation, it may still be classified under 0302, but this depends on the degree of processing.
Q: What should be noted when declaring fresh sea bream for cross-border e-commerce sales?
A: Ensure cold chain transportation, indicate the preservation method as chilled in the declaration, provide the Latin scientific name, origin, specifications, etc., and confirm the HS code is 030285 to avoid misclassification as frozen fish or fillets.
Q: What is the difference between 030285 and 030284?
A: 030284 is for fresh or chilled sea bass, 030285 for fresh or chilled sea bream. The species are different: sea bass belongs to the family Moronidae, sea bream to the family Sparidae. Classification should be distinguished by the Latin scientific name.
Q: How to confirm whether sea bream belongs to 030285?
A: You can consult the subheading notes of the Import and Export Tariff or customs classification decisions to confirm that fish of the family Sparidae fall under 030285. Common sea bream such as red sea bream and black sea bream are classified under this code.
⚠️ 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.