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GOODS ACROSS BORDERS

HS HEADING 1604

Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs

In plain English

This section covers fish that have been prepared or preserved, as well as caviar and products made from fish eggs. The items are sorted by specific types of fish, such as salmon, herring, tuna, mackerel, anchovies, eels, and shark fins, when they are kept whole or in pieces that are not minced. Other fish that are not listed individually are grouped together if they are also whole or in unminced pieces. Additionally, there are categories for fish that are minced or formed into shapes, along with separate classifications for actual caviar and caviar substitutes.

PARAPHRASE OF THE OFFICIAL HS 2022 TEXTS BELOW — NOT LEGAL ADVICE

6-digit subheadings (12)

Official HS 2022 subheading texts. National tariff schedules subdivide these further (8-10 digit lines) and set the actual duty rates.

1604.11

Fish preparations; salmon, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)

1604.12

Fish preparations; herrings, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)

1604.13

Fish preparations; sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)

1604.14

Fish preparations; tunas, skipjack tuna and bonito (Sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)

1604.15

Fish preparations; mackerel, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)

1604.16

Fish preparations; anchovies, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)

1604.17

Fish preparations; eels, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)

1604.18

Fish preparations; shark fins, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)

1604.19

Fish preparations; fish prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced), n.e.c. in heading no. 1604

1604.20

Fish preparations; fish minced or in forms n.e.c. in heading no. 1604, prepared or preserved

1604.31

Fish preparations; caviar

1604.32

Fish preparations; caviar substitutes, prepared from fish eggs

Chapter 16 classification notes

All Chapter 16 imports require veterinary health certification. Caviar is heavily CITES-controlled (sturgeon-derived caviar from Caspian region requires CITES export + import permit). Tinned fish typically duty-free between FTA partners.

Frequent misclassification in this chapter

Ham / bacon hot-smoked falls under 1602.41 (preparations of pork), not 0210 (cured meat).

Classification certainty

The 6-digit level shown here is the internationally harmonised layer. Duty rates attach to national 8-10 digit tariff lines, which differ by country — use the duty calculator for lane estimates. For binding certainty, request a ruling from the destination customs authority.

Binding tariff ruling database

Other headings in Chapter 16

RULES5,339COUNTRIES85ITEMS111CARRIERS28GUIDES46UNIQUE SOURCES645LATEST VERIFICATION2026-07-26MethodologyChangelog