Section IV · Foodstuffs, Beverages & Tobacco · Chapter 16
Meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, or insects; preparations thereof
About chapter 16
Chapter 16 covers prepared or preserved meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs and insects: canned tuna, corned beef, sausages, fish balls, and similar cooked, cured or otherwise processed animal-protein products. This is where chapter 2 and chapter 3 raw products end up once they're cooked, canned or otherwise transformed.
Classification tip: The specific species and packing medium (in oil, in brine, in sauce) each affect the subheading for canned fish, so check the label's exact contents, not just 'canned fish' generically.
42 six-digit codes
Sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal, blood or insects; food preparations based on these products
1 code1601.00Meat preparations; sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal, blood or insects, and food preparations based on these products
Prepared or preserved meat, meat offal, blood or insects
10 codes1602.10Meat preparations; homogenised preparations of meat, meat offal blood or insects1602.20Meat preparations; of the prepared or preserved liver of any animal (excluding homogenised preparations)1602.31Meat preparations; of turkeys, prepared or preserved meat or meat offal (excluding livers and homogenised preparations)1602.32Meat preparations; of the poultry of heading no. 0105, (i.e. of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus)1602.39Meat preparations; of poultry (excluding turkeys), prepared or preserved meat or meat offal (excluding livers and homogenised preparations)1602.41Meat preparations; of swine, hams and cuts thereof, prepared or preserved (excluding homogenised preparations)1602.42Meat preparations; of swine, shoulders and cuts thereof, prepared or preserved (excluding homogenised preparations)1602.49Meat preparations; of swine, meat or meat offal (including mixtures), prepared or preserved, n.e.c. in heading no. 16021602.50Meat preparations; of bovine animals, meat or meat offal, prepared or preserved (excluding livers and homogenised preparations)1602.90Meat preparations; of meat, meat offal or the blood of any animal, n.e.c. in heading no. 1602
Extracts and juices of meat, fish or crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates
1 code1603.00Extracts and juices; of meat, fish or crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates
Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs
12 codes1604.11Fish preparations; salmon, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)1604.12Fish preparations; herrings, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)1604.13Fish preparations; sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)1604.14Fish preparations; tunas, skipjack tuna and bonito (Sarda spp.), prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)1604.15Fish preparations; mackerel, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)1604.16Fish preparations; anchovies, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)1604.17Fish preparations; eels, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)1604.18Fish preparations; shark fins, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced)1604.19Fish preparations; fish prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced), n.e.c. in heading no. 16041604.20Fish preparations; fish minced or in forms n.e.c. in heading no. 1604, prepared or preserved1604.31Fish preparations; caviar1604.32Fish preparations; caviar substitutes, prepared from fish eggs
Crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, prepared or preserved
18 codes1605.10Crustacean preparations; crab, prepared or preserved1605.21Crustacean preparations; shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved, not in airtight containers1605.29Crustacean preparations; shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved, in airtight containers1605.30Crustacean preparations; lobster, prepared or preserved1605.40Crustacean preparations; other than crab, shrimps, prawns, and lobsters, prepared or preserved1605.51Mollusc preparations; oysters, prepared or preserved1605.52Mollusc preparations; scallops, including queen scallops, prepared or preserved1605.53Mollusc preparations; mussels, prepared or preserved1605.54Mollusc preparations; cuttle fish and squid, prepared or preserved1605.55Mollusc preparations; octopus, prepared or preserved1605.56Mollusc preparations; clams, cockles and arkshells, prepared or preserved1605.57Mollusc preparations; abalone, prepared or preserved1605.58Mollusc preparations; snails, other than sea snails, prepared or preserved1605.59Mollusc preparations; n.e.c. in item no. 1605.5, preparations such as pastes, sausages, prepared meals and the like1605.61Aquatic invertebrates; sea cucumbers, prepared or preserved1605.62Aquatic invertebrates; sea urchins, prepared or preserved1605.63Aquatic invertebrates; jellyfish, prepared or preserved1605.69Aquatic invertebrates; other than crustaceans, molluscs, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and jellyfish, prepared or preserved
More chapters in section IV: Foodstuffs, Beverages & Tobacco
- 17Sugars and sugar confectionery
- 18Cocoa and cocoa preparations
- 19Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or…
- 20Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or…
- 21Miscellaneous edible preparations
- 22Beverages, spirits and vinegar
- 23Food industries, residues and wastes thereof
- 24Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes
Codes and descriptions follow the WCO six-digit Harmonized System nomenclature. National tariff schedules extend these to 8–13 digits and set the actual duty rate, so confirm the full code for your destination country with your customs broker before filing. To copy a code, hover a row and use the copy button; every code has 1601-style dot notation ready for your commercial invoice.
Chapter 16 FAQ
What does HS code chapter 16 cover?
Chapter 16 of the Harmonized System covers: meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, or insects; preparations thereof. It belongs to section IV (Foodstuffs, Beverages & Tobacco) and contains 5 four-digit headings, 1601–1605.
How many HS codes are in chapter 16?
Chapter 16 contains 5 four-digit headings and 42 six-digit subheadings. Countries subdivide these further (8–13 digits) in their national tariff schedules, so the full national count is larger.
Is HS code 1601 the same in every country?
Yes. The six-digit level of every code in this chapter is harmonised by the World Customs Organization and identical in all member countries. Digits beyond the sixth (for example the US 10-digit HTS or the EU 8-digit CN) are national and set the actual duty rate.
How do I choose the right code within chapter 16?
Work from the four-digit heading down: pick the heading that best matches your product, then the six-digit subheading that matches its material, form or processing. If two codes seem to fit, customs rules (the General Rules of Interpretation) decide, and when in doubt, confirm with your customs broker before filing.