Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, including live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, in brine, smoked and other processed forms, but excluding cooked or further processed aquatic products (classified under Chapter 16). This chapter is a core chapter in international trade of aquatic products, involving fishing, aquaculture, processing and other stages. Heading 0303 covers frozen fish, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304. It includes whole frozen fish, headless frozen fish, gutted frozen fish, etc., whether or not cut, provided they have not undergone further processing. This heading covers a wide variety of fish species, subdivided into multiple subheadings by specific species, and is one of the most important headings in frozen fish trade. The first 2 digits 03 represent Chapter 03 (Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates). Digits 3-4, 03, represent heading 0303 (Frozen fish, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304). Digits 5-6, 64, represent subheading 030364, namely Frozen eel. Among these, 0303 is the general category for frozen fish, and 64 is the specific subheading for eel. This code applies only to frozen eel, including whole, headless, gutted and other forms, but excludes fresh or chilled eel (0302), eel fillets (0304) or smoked eel (0305). This product is frozen eel, which meets the definition of heading 0303 'Frozen fish', and subheading 030364 explicitly lists 'eel'. Therefore, it is classified under 030364, rather than 0302 (fresh or chilled fish) or 0304 (fish fillets and other fish meat), nor 0305 (smoked fish).
Chapter
Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, including live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, in brine, smoked and other processed forms, but excluding cooked or further processed aquatic products (classified under Chapter 16). This chapter is a core chapter in international trade of aquatic products, involving fishing, aquaculture, processing and other stages.
Heading
Heading 0303 covers frozen fish, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304. It includes whole frozen fish, headless frozen fish, gutted frozen fish, etc., whether or not cut, provided they have not undergone further processing. This heading covers a wide variety of fish species, subdivided into multiple subheadings by specific species, and is one of the most important headings in frozen fish trade.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 03 represent Chapter 03 (Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates). Digits 3-4, 03, represent heading 0303 (Frozen fish, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304). Digits 5-6, 64, represent subheading 030364, namely Frozen eel. Among these, 0303 is the general category for frozen fish, and 64 is the specific subheading for eel. This code applies only to frozen eel, including whole, headless, gutted and other forms, but excludes fresh or chilled eel (0302), eel fillets (0304) or smoked eel (0305).
Classification Basis
This product is frozen eel, which meets the definition of heading 0303 'Frozen fish', and subheading 030364 explicitly lists 'eel'. Therefore, it is classified under 030364, rather than 0302 (fresh or chilled fish) or 0304 (fish fillets and other fish meat), nor 0305 (smoked fish).
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: Fill in the Chinese and foreign language names of the goods, which should be consistent with the contract and invoice, such as 'Frozen eel' or 'Frozen sea eel'. Latin Scientific Name: Fill in the Latin scientific name of the eel, such as Anguilla japonica (Japanese eel), Anguilla anguilla (European eel), etc., for species identification. Method of Production or Preservation: Indicate 'frozen', and may add specific processing methods such as 'headless, gutted, whole'. State: Fill in 'whole', 'headless', 'gutted', 'cut', etc., but must not be fillets. Specifications: Fill in the weight per piece or weight per box, such as '100-200g/piece'. Brand: If there is a brand, fill in the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'None'. Production Date: Fill in the processing production date in the format YYYY-MM-DD. Shelf Life: Fill in the shelf life duration, such as '24 months'. Product Name: Frozen eel; Latin Scientific Name: Anguilla japonica; Method of Production or Preservation: Frozen, headless and gutted; State: Whole; Specifications: 200-300g/piece; Brand: None; Production Date: 2023-08-15; Shelf Life: 24 months. Misclassifying frozen eel fillets under 030364, when they should actually be classified under 0304. Failing to provide the Latin scientific name, making it impossible to determine the specific subheading. Confusing frozen with chilled, chilled should be classified under 0302.
Product Name
Fill in the Chinese and foreign language names of the goods, which should be consistent with the contract and invoice, such as 'Frozen eel' or 'Frozen sea eel'.
⚠️ Only filling in 'frozen fish' or 'eel' without indicating the 'frozen' state.
Latin Scientific Name
Fill in the Latin scientific name of the eel, such as Anguilla japonica (Japanese eel), Anguilla anguilla (European eel), etc., for species identification.
⚠️ Filling in common names or spelling errors, leading to classification disputes.
Method of Production or Preservation
Indicate 'frozen', and may add specific processing methods such as 'headless, gutted, whole'.
⚠️ Not indicating frozen, or incorrectly filling in as 'fresh', 'chilled', or 'smoked'.
State
Fill in 'whole', 'headless', 'gutted', 'cut', etc., but must not be fillets.
⚠️ Misreporting fillets as whole or cut.
Specifications
Fill in the weight per piece or weight per box, such as '100-200g/piece'.
If there is a brand, fill in the brand name; if no brand, fill in 'None'.
⚠️ Ignoring the brand, leading to intellectual property issues.
Production Date
Fill in the processing production date in the format YYYY-MM-DD.
⚠️ Incorrect date format or contradiction with the shelf life.
Shelf Life
Fill in the shelf life duration, such as '24 months'.
⚠️ Not filling in or logically inconsistent with the production date.
Example： Product Name: Frozen eel; Latin Scientific Name: Anguilla japonica; Method of Production or Preservation: Frozen, headless and gutted; State: Whole; Specifications: 200-300g/piece; Brand: None; Production Date: 2023-08-15; Shelf Life: 24 months.
Common Mistakes：
Misclassifying frozen eel fillets under 030364, when they should actually be classified under 0304.
Failing to provide the Latin scientific name, making it impossible to determine the specific subheading.
Confusing frozen with chilled, chilled should be classified under 0302.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification basis: 1) The product must be fish (eel); 2) The preservation state is frozen; 3) It has not undergone further processing such as smoking or cooking; 4) It is not fillets or other fish meat. Reference should also be made to the Import and Export Tariff and customs classification decisions to ensure compliance with the description of subheading 030364. 0302 Fresh or chilled fish: 0302 is fresh or chilled, 030364 is frozen; the temperature state is different. 0304 Fish fillets and other fish meat: 0304 is fillets or minced meat, 030364 is whole or cut but not fillets. 0305 Smoked fish: 0305 is smoked, 030364 is frozen; the processing method is different. 0303 Other frozen fish: 0303 is the general term for frozen fish, 030364 is the specific subheading for eel, other fish are classified under different subheadings. 1604 Prepared or preserved fish: 1604 is cooked or further processed, 030364 is primary frozen. Is the product eel? Is it in a frozen state? Has it not been smoked or cooked? Is it fillets or other fish meat? Is the Latin scientific name accurate?
Basis
Core classification basis: 1) The product must be fish (eel); 2) The preservation state is frozen; 3) It has not undergone further processing such as smoking or cooking; 4) It is not fillets or other fish meat. Reference should also be made to the Import and Export Tariff and customs classification decisions to ensure compliance with the description of subheading 030364.
Confused Codes：
0302 - Fresh or chilled fish
0302 is fresh or chilled, 030364 is frozen; the temperature state is different.
0304 - Fish fillets and other fish meat
0304 is fillets or minced meat, 030364 is whole or cut but not fillets.
0305 - Smoked fish
0305 is smoked, 030364 is frozen; the processing method is different.
0303 - Other frozen fish
0303 is the general term for frozen fish, 030364 is the specific subheading for eel, other fish are classified under different subheadings.
1604 - Prepared or preserved fish
1604 is cooked or further processed, 030364 is primary frozen.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the product eel?
✓ Is it in a frozen state?
✓ Has it not been smoked or cooked?
✓ Is it fillets or other fish meat?
✓ Is the Latin scientific name accurate?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in classification between frozen eel and frozen eel fillets? Frozen eel (whole or headless and gutted) is classified under 030364; frozen eel fillets are classified under 0304. Fillets are sliced, while 030364 requires non-fillets. How to inquire about the tariff rate for 030364? You can visit the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or consult the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China to determine the applicable tariff rate based on origin, trade agreements, etc. Tariff rates may change, and it is recommended to refer to the latest version. What special documents are required for declaring 030364? Typically, a certificate of origin, health certificate, import animal and plant quarantine permit (if applicable), packing list, invoice, contract, etc. are required. Specific requirements are subject to customs regulations. Is it mandatory to declare the Latin scientific name of frozen eel? Yes, the Latin scientific name is key to determining the species and classification. Different eel species may involve endangered species controls and must be accurately declared. If frozen eel is salted, which code should it be classified under? Salted eel should be classified under 0305 (fish, salted or in brine), not 030364. 030364 only applies to frozen. Does cross-border e-commerce retail import of frozen eel apply to 030364? Yes, but it must comply with the cross-border e-commerce retail import commodity list and complete inspection and quarantine. Specific regulatory conditions can be found in the announcements of the General Administration of Customs. How to distinguish between 030364 and 030363 (frozen cod)? 030363 is frozen cod, 030364 is frozen eel; the fish species are different. When classifying, they must be accurately distinguished based on the Latin scientific name and appearance characteristics. What are the consequences of mistakenly classifying frozen eel under 0302? It may lead to classification errors, affecting the application of tariff rates and regulatory conditions, and may even result in customs penalties. It is recommended to declare truthfully and apply for advance classification if necessary.
Q: What is the difference in classification between frozen eel and frozen eel fillets?
A: Frozen eel (whole or headless and gutted) is classified under 030364; frozen eel fillets are classified under 0304. Fillets are sliced, while 030364 requires non-fillets.
Q: How to inquire about the tariff rate for 030364?
A: You can visit the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or consult the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China to determine the applicable tariff rate based on origin, trade agreements, etc. Tariff rates may change, and it is recommended to refer to the latest version.
Q: What special documents are required for declaring 030364?
A: Typically, a certificate of origin, health certificate, import animal and plant quarantine permit (if applicable), packing list, invoice, contract, etc. are required. Specific requirements are subject to customs regulations.
Q: Is it mandatory to declare the Latin scientific name of frozen eel?
A: Yes, the Latin scientific name is key to determining the species and classification. Different eel species may involve endangered species controls and must be accurately declared.
Q: If frozen eel is salted, which code should it be classified under?
A: Salted eel should be classified under 0305 (fish, salted or in brine), not 030364. 030364 only applies to frozen.
Q: Does cross-border e-commerce retail import of frozen eel apply to 030364?
A: Yes, but it must comply with the cross-border e-commerce retail import commodity list and complete inspection and quarantine. Specific regulatory conditions can be found in the announcements of the General Administration of Customs.
Q: How to distinguish between 030364 and 030363 (frozen cod)?
A: 030363 is frozen cod, 030364 is frozen eel; the fish species are different. When classifying, they must be accurately distinguished based on the Latin scientific name and appearance characteristics.
Q: What are the consequences of mistakenly classifying frozen eel under 0302?
A: It may lead to classification errors, affecting the application of tariff rates and regulatory conditions, and may 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.