HS Code 03: Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

Q: Is HS code 03 the same in every country?

Yes — HS code 03 is part of the WCO Harmonized System and is the same in every WCO member country at the 6-digit level. Beyond 6 digits, each country extends the code under its own system (e.g. HTSUS in the US, CN/TARIC in the EU, HSK in Korea, CCCHS in China) for national tariff rates and trade statistics. To see how a specific country classifies this code, select a country.

Q: Which WCO edition does HS code 03 belong to, and has it been reclassified?

The Harmonized System is maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and revised approximately every five years. The current edition is HS 2022, which replaced HS 2017 on 1 January 2022. Codes are added, merged, or split between editions to reflect new products and trade patterns, so a code valid in one edition may not exist or may mean something different in another.

Q: How do I find the correct country-specific version of HS code 03?

Beyond the international 6-digit level, each country adds its own digits — the US extends to 10 digits (HTSUS), the EU to 8 or 10 (CN/TARIC), China to 13 (CCCHS), Korea to 10 (HSK), Japan to 9, and so on. To find the full code used by a specific country, select a country in TradeInt's HS Code Tool and search for 03.

What is HS Code 03

HS Code 03 covers Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. It is one of the 96 chapters of the WCO Harmonized System, sitting in Section I (Live animals; animal products). The two digits "03" are the chapter level — every 4-digit heading and 6-digit subheading starting with "03" belongs here.

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What does HS Code 03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates Cover?

Section I

Chapters (01-05) Live animals; animal products

Chapter 03

Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates

HS Code 0301

Fish; live

HS Code 0302

Fish; fresh or chilled, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304

HS Code 0303

Fish; frozen, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304

HS Code 0304

Fish fillets and other fish meat (whether or not minced); fresh, chilled or frozen

HS Code 0305

Fish, dried, salted or in brine; smoked fish, whether or not cooked before, or during the smoking process

HS Code 0306

Crustaceans; in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, steamed or boiled, whether or not chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine

HS Code 0307

Molluscs; whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; smoked molluscs, whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process

HS Code 0308

Aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans and molluscs, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; smoked aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans and molluscs, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process

HS Code 0309

Flours, meals and pellets of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, fit for human consumption

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What HS Codes for Fish and Seafood Do Not Cover

Chapter 03 covers fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and aquatic invertebrates — live or processed by simple methods. Goods frequently misclassified here but that belong elsewhere include:

Marine mammals (whales, dolphins, seals)

heading 0106

Fish meat prepared with cereals, sauces, or other ingredients

Chapter 16

Caviar and caviar substitutes

heading 1604

Inedible fish waste, fish meal for animal feed

heading 2301

This list highlights common classification errors only — it is not exhaustive. For binding classification, work with a licensed customs broker or qualified trade compliance professional.

Related HS Codes under Fish and Seafood HS 03

HS Code 0301

Fish; live

HS Code 0302

Fish; fresh or chilled, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304

HS Code 0303

Fish; frozen, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304

HS Code 0304

Fish fillets and other fish meat (whether or not minced); fresh, chilled or frozen

HS Code 0305

Fish, dried, salted or in brine; smoked fish, whether or not cooked before, or during the smoking process

HS Code 0306

HS Code 0307

Molluscs; whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; smoked molluscs, whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process

HS Code 0308

HS Code 0309

Flours, meals and pellets of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, fit for human consumption

HS Code 030111

Fish; live, ornamental, freshwater

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 03?

HS code 03 covers Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, one of the chapter 03 of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Harmonized System. It is the broadest level of HS classification, grouping all products of this type before they are narrowed down by more specific 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings.

Is HS code 03 the same in every country?

Which WCO edition does HS code 03 belong to, and has it been reclassified?

How do I find the correct country-specific version of HS code 03?