Chapter 16 is the specific chapter in the HS classification system for 'preparations of meat, of fish, of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates', covering animal-derived foods that have undergone deep processing such as cooking, curing, smoking, and stuffing. This chapter forms an upstream-downstream relationship with Chapter 2 (fresh meat) and Chapter 3 (fresh aquatic products). The core distinguishing criterion is the degree of processing: simple refrigeration, freezing, and cutting remain in Chapter 2, while products that have undergone seasoning, heat treatment, sausage-making, and other processes fall under Chapter 16. Heading 1602 covers 'other prepared or preserved meat, meat offal or blood', i.e., meat products that have been cooked, cured, smoked, dried, or seasoned, other than sausages and similar products (1601). This heading is subdivided by animal species into subheadings for pork, beef, mutton, chicken, etc. 1602.49 specifically refers to other pork preparations, including cured meat, ham, meat floss, pork jerky, braised pork, canned pork, and other non-sausage pork processed products. The first 2 digits '16' represent Chapter 16, i.e., preparations of meat, of fish, of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, belonging to the deep-processed food chapter. The 3rd-4th digits '02' represent heading 1602, referring to other prepared or preserved meat, meat offal or blood, distinguished from 1601 sausages and similar products. The 5th-6th digits '49' is the subheading, under 1602.4 (preparations of swine meat), further distinguishing: 1602.41 for hams and cuts thereof, 1602.42 for shoulders and cuts thereof, and 1602.49 for other preparations of swine meat, i.e., various pork processed products other than hams and shoulder cuts. This commodity is classified under 1602.49 rather than 1601 or 1602.41/42, for the following core reasons: First, the product is not a sausage or similar product, thus excluding 1601; Second, the product is not a ham or shoulder cut, thus excluding 1602.41/42; Third, the product is made from pork through cooking, curing, smoking, and other deep processing, and does not exceed the scope of Chapter 16, thus classified under 1602.49. If it were only fresh or chilled/frozen pork, it should be classified under Chapter 2.
Chapter
Chapter 16 is the specific chapter in the HS classification system for 'preparations of meat, of fish, of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates', covering animal-derived foods that have undergone deep processing such as cooking, curing, smoking, and stuffing. This chapter forms an upstream-downstream relationship with Chapter 2 (fresh meat) and Chapter 3 (fresh aquatic products). The core distinguishing criterion is the degree of processing: simple refrigeration, freezing, and cutting remain in Chapter 2, while products that have undergone seasoning, heat treatment, sausage-making, and other processes fall under Chapter 16.
Heading
Heading 1602 covers 'other prepared or preserved meat, meat offal or blood', i.e., meat products that have been cooked, cured, smoked, dried, or seasoned, other than sausages and similar products (1601). This heading is subdivided by animal species into subheadings for pork, beef, mutton, chicken, etc. 1602.49 specifically refers to other pork preparations, including cured meat, ham, meat floss, pork jerky, braised pork, canned pork, and other non-sausage pork processed products.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits '16' represent Chapter 16, i.e., preparations of meat, of fish, of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, belonging to the deep-processed food chapter. The 3rd-4th digits '02' represent heading 1602, referring to other prepared or preserved meat, meat offal or blood, distinguished from 1601 sausages and similar products. The 5th-6th digits '49' is the subheading, under 1602.4 (preparations of swine meat), further distinguishing: 1602.41 for hams and cuts thereof, 1602.42 for shoulders and cuts thereof, and 1602.49 for other preparations of swine meat, i.e., various pork processed products other than hams and shoulder cuts.
Classification Basis
This commodity is classified under 1602.49 rather than 1601 or 1602.41/42, for the following core reasons: First, the product is not a sausage or similar product, thus excluding 1601; Second, the product is not a ham or shoulder cut, thus excluding 1602.41/42; Third, the product is made from pork through cooking, curing, smoking, and other deep processing, and does not exceed the scope of Chapter 16, thus classified under 1602.49. If it were only fresh or chilled/frozen pork, it should be classified under Chapter 2.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as cured meat, pork jerky, braised pork, pork floss, etc., which must be consistent with the actual product. Method of Preparation or Preservation: Describe the processing technique, such as cooking, curing, smoking, drying, seasoning, etc., and whether heat treatment has been applied. Ingredient Content: List the main raw materials and proportions, such as pork content, starch, salt, sugar, spices, etc., which must be declared by weight percentage. Packaging Specifications: Declare the packaging form and net weight, such as bagged, canned, vacuum-packed, and the net weight in grams per unit. Brand: Declare the brand or trademark of the commodity; if unbranded, indicate 'unbranded'. Production Date: Declare the specific production date or batch number for traceability and shelf-life verification. Storage Conditions: Describe the storage conditions, such as room temperature, refrigerated, frozen, which affect classification and regulatory conditions. Product Name: Honey-glazed pork jerky; Method of Preparation: Pork hind leg meat minced, seasoned, spread into sheets, baked, sliced; Ingredient Content: Pork 85%, white granulated sugar 10%, soy sauce 3%, fish sauce 1%, spices 1%; Packaging Specifications: 200g/bag, 50 bags/carton; Brand: XX Brand; Production Date: 2025-03-15; Storage Conditions: Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place. Incorrectly classifying pork jerky under 1601 sausage category, ignoring its non-casing stuffed characteristics. Failing to distinguish ham cuts from ordinary pork products, incorrectly using 1602.41. Declaring as pork products when pork content is below 50%, which may involve other headings. Filling in 'frozen' as storage condition when it is actually room temperature, leading to incorrect application of regulatory conditions.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as cured meat, pork jerky, braised pork, pork floss, etc., which must be consistent with the actual product.
⚠️ Writing 'pork products' generically without distinguishing the specific category.
Method of Preparation or Preservation
Describe the processing technique, such as cooking, curing, smoking, drying, seasoning, etc., and whether heat treatment has been applied.
⚠️ Only writing 'processed' without specifying the specific method.
Ingredient Content
List the main raw materials and proportions, such as pork content, starch, salt, sugar, spices, etc., which must be declared by weight percentage.
⚠️ Failing to list pork content or additive proportions.
Packaging Specifications
Declare the packaging form and net weight, such as bagged, canned, vacuum-packed, and the net weight in grams per unit.
⚠️ Only writing 'carton' without specifying inner packaging and net weight.
Brand
Declare the brand or trademark of the commodity; if unbranded, indicate 'unbranded'.
⚠️ Omitting the brand or it being inconsistent with the actual product.
Production Date
Declare the specific production date or batch number for traceability and shelf-life verification.
⚠️ Filling in vague information such as 'recent'.
Storage Conditions
Describe the storage conditions, such as room temperature, refrigerated, frozen, which affect classification and regulatory conditions.
⚠️ Not indicating storage temperature, leading to classification disputes.
Example: Product Name: Honey-glazed pork jerky; Method of Preparation: Pork hind leg meat minced, seasoned, spread into sheets, baked, sliced; Ingredient Content: Pork 85%, white granulated sugar 10%, soy sauce 3%, fish sauce 1%, spices 1%; Packaging Specifications: 200g/bag, 50 bags/carton; Brand: XX Brand; Production Date: 2025-03-15; Storage Conditions: Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place.
Common Mistakes:
Incorrectly classifying pork jerky under 1601 sausage category, ignoring its non-casing stuffed characteristics.
Failing to distinguish ham cuts from ordinary pork products, incorrectly using 1602.41.
Declaring as pork products when pork content is below 50%, which may involve other headings.
Filling in 'frozen' as storage condition when it is actually room temperature, leading to incorrect application of regulatory conditions.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the Chapter Notes and Subheading Notes of Chapter 16 of the Import and Export Tariff. First, confirm whether the product belongs to 'meat products', i.e., processed beyond the simple processing scope of Chapter 2; Second, determine whether it belongs to sausages and similar products (1601), if so, classify under 1601; Third, determine whether it is ham or shoulder cuts (1602.41/42), if so, classify under the corresponding subheading; Finally, if it is other pork products, classify under 1602.49. At the same time, consider whether the product contains other animal ingredients; if it is a mixed product, classify according to the main ingredient. 1601.00 Sausages and similar products: 1601 covers meat products stuffed into casings, while 1602.49 covers non-casing pork processed products such as jerky, meat floss, and braised meat. 1602.41 Hams and cuts thereof: 1602.41 specifically refers to hams or ham cuts made from pig legs through curing, smoking, etc., while 1602.49 covers pork products from other parts or in other forms. 1602.42 Shoulders and cuts thereof: 1602.42 only refers to block products made from pork shoulder, while 1602.49 covers all pork products other than hams and shoulder cuts. 0203.29 Other frozen pork: 0203 covers fresh or chilled/frozen pork without cooking, curing, or other deep processing, while 1602.49 covers cooked or deep-processed pork products. 1602.50 Beef preparations: 1602.50 covers beef preparations; if the pork content in the product is lower than beef, it should be classified as beef preparations. Has the product undergone deep processing such as cooking, curing, or smoking? Is the product stuffed into casings? If so, it should be classified under 1601. Is the product ham or shoulder cuts? If so, it should be classified under 1602.41/42. Is the main ingredient pork? If mixed, classify according to the main ingredient. Do the storage conditions affect classification? Room temperature and frozen may involve different regulatory conditions.
Basis
The core basis for classification is the Chapter Notes and Subheading Notes of Chapter 16 of the Import and Export Tariff. First, confirm whether the product belongs to 'meat products', i.e., processed beyond the simple processing scope of Chapter 2; Second, determine whether it belongs to sausages and similar products (1601), if so, classify under 1601; Third, determine whether it is ham or shoulder cuts (1602.41/42), if so, classify under the corresponding subheading; Finally, if it is other pork products, classify under 1602.49. At the same time, consider whether the product contains other animal ingredients; if it is a mixed product, classify according to the main ingredient.
Confused Codes:
1601.00 - Sausages and similar products
1601 covers meat products stuffed into casings, while 1602.49 covers non-casing pork processed products such as jerky, meat floss, and braised meat.
1602.41 - Hams and cuts thereof
1602.41 specifically refers to hams or ham cuts made from pig legs through curing, smoking, etc., while 1602.49 covers pork products from other parts or in other forms.
1602.42 - Shoulders and cuts thereof
1602.42 only refers to block products made from pork shoulder, while 1602.49 covers all pork products other than hams and shoulder cuts.
0203.29 - Other frozen pork
0203 covers fresh or chilled/frozen pork without cooking, curing, or other deep processing, while 1602.49 covers cooked or deep-processed pork products.
1602.50 - Beef preparations
1602.50 covers beef preparations; if the pork content in the product is lower than beef, it should be classified as beef preparations.
Self-Check:
✓ Has the product undergone deep processing such as cooking, curing, or smoking?
✓ Is the product stuffed into casings? If so, it should be classified under 1601.
✓ Is the product ham or shoulder cuts? If so, it should be classified under 1602.41/42.
✓ Is the main ingredient pork? If mixed, classify according to the main ingredient.
✓ Do the storage conditions affect classification? Room temperature and frozen may involve different regulatory conditions.
❓ FAQ
How to check the import tariff rate for 160249? You can check the latest Import and Export Tariff through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the 'Single Window' by entering HS code 160249 to view the MFN rate, general rate, VAT, and consumption tax. Tariff rates are subject to policy adjustments; it is recommended to refer to the customs system at the time of declaration. Are both pork jerky and pork floss classified under 160249? Yes, as long as they are non-casing, non-ham/shoulder cut deep-processed pork products, they are classified under 160249. However, if pork floss is mixed with a large amount of other meats, it needs to be reclassified according to the main ingredient. What is the difference between 160249 and 160241? 160241 specifically refers to hams and ham cuts, i.e., specific products made from pig legs through curing, smoking, etc.; 160249 covers all other pork products other than hams and shoulder cuts, such as cured meat, jerky, braised meat, etc. What regulatory documents are required for declaring 160249? Typically, an inbound goods clearance form, certificate of origin, health certificate, label registration, etc. are required. Specific regulatory conditions vary by country/region and product status. It is recommended to check the 'Regulatory Document Code Table' published by the General Administration of Customs. If the meat content of a pork product is less than 50%, can it still be classified under 160249? If the pork content is less than 50% and other ingredients (such as starch, vegetables) dominate, it may be classified under Chapter 19 or Chapter 20. Classification requires a comprehensive judgment based on the main ingredients and processing techniques. Does cross-border e-commerce retail import of pork products apply to 160249? Cross-border e-commerce retail imported goods must be classified according to the actual commodity. 160249 applies to general trade. Cross-border e-commerce has a specific positive list and tax policies; it is necessary to check the list to confirm whether import is permitted. What is the export tax rebate for 160249? The export tax rebate rate is periodically adjusted by the State Taxation Administration. You can check the latest rebate rate through the 'China Export Tax Rebate Consulting Network' or the electronic tax bureau. Currently, the export tax rebate rate for pork products is typically 9% or 13%, subject to official publication. How to avoid classification errors for 160249? It is recommended to retain complete production process, formula, and packaging information, and check item by item against the Tariff and its notes. If uncertain, you can apply to customs for advance classification or consult a professional customs broker.
Q: How to check the import tariff rate for 160249?
A: You can check the latest Import and Export Tariff through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the 'Single Window' by entering HS code 160249 to view the MFN rate, general rate, VAT, and consumption tax. Tariff rates are subject to policy adjustments; it is recommended to refer to the customs system at the time of declaration.
Q: Are both pork jerky and pork floss classified under 160249?
A: Yes, as long as they are non-casing, non-ham/shoulder cut deep-processed pork products, they are classified under 160249. However, if pork floss is mixed with a large amount of other meats, it needs to be reclassified according to the main ingredient.
Q: What is the difference between 160249 and 160241?
A: 160241 specifically refers to hams and ham cuts, i.e., specific products made from pig legs through curing, smoking, etc.; 160249 covers all other pork products other than hams and shoulder cuts, such as cured meat, jerky, braised meat, etc.
Q: What regulatory documents are required for declaring 160249?
A: Typically, an inbound goods clearance form, certificate of origin, health certificate, label registration, etc. are required. Specific regulatory conditions vary by country/region and product status. It is recommended to check the 'Regulatory Document Code Table' published by the General Administration of Customs.
Q: If the meat content of a pork product is less than 50%, can it still be classified under 160249?
A: If the pork content is less than 50% and other ingredients (such as starch, vegetables) dominate, it may be classified under Chapter 19 or Chapter 20. Classification requires a comprehensive judgment based on the main ingredients and processing techniques.
Q: Does cross-border e-commerce retail import of pork products apply to 160249?
A: Cross-border e-commerce retail imported goods must be classified according to the actual commodity. 160249 applies to general trade. Cross-border e-commerce has a specific positive list and tax policies; it is necessary to check the list to confirm whether import is permitted.
Q: What is the export tax rebate for 160249?
A: The export tax rebate rate is periodically adjusted by the State Taxation Administration. You can check the latest rebate rate through the 'China Export Tax Rebate Consulting Network' or the electronic tax bureau. Currently, the export tax rebate rate for pork products is typically 9% or 13%, subject to official publication.
Q: How to avoid classification errors for 160249?
A: It is recommended to retain complete production process, formula, and packaging information, and check item by item against the Tariff and its notes. If uncertain, you can apply to customs for advance classification or consult a professional customs broker.
⚠️ 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.