Heading 1604

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

68 declarable lines

Heading 1604 covers fish that has been prepared or preserved, plus caviar and caviar substitutes made from fish eggs. The heading splits first by species (salmon, herring, sardines, tuna, mackerel, anchovies, eels, shark fins, other fish), then by how the fish is packed: in oil or not, in airtight containers or not, container weight, and whether it is minced, breaded or made into pastes and balls. Caviar and caviar substitutes sit in their own subheadings at the end.

Products in this heading

Canned pink salmon
Herring fillets pickled in brine
Sardines packed in olive oil in a tin
Canned albacore tuna in water
Smoked kippered herring snacks
Anchovies in oil in small tins
Fish sticks breaded and frozen
Caviar and caviar substitutes

How to choose the right subheading

Identify the species first, since salmon, herring, sardines, tuna, mackerel, anchovies, eels and shark fins each have their own subheading group.
Check whether the fish is whole or in pieces but not minced; minced fish and pastes fall under the 1604.20 group.
Determine whether the fish is in oil or not in oil.
Determine whether the container is airtight and the net weight of the immediate container, since weight thresholds change the line.
Check whether the product is breaded, coated with batter, pre-cooked or frozen, as these get separate lines.

Often confused with

Fresh or chilled whole fish
Heading 1604 requires the fish to be prepared or preserved, not just fresh or chilled.
Heading 0302
Frozen fish fillets with no further preparation
Plain frozen fillets stay in chapter 3; breaded or otherwise prepared fish move to 1604.
Heading 0304
Cooked and frozen shrimp
Prepared crustaceans and molluscs are classified in 1605, not with prepared fish.
Heading 1605
Fish oil in capsules
Fish oils and fats are classified in 1504 even when put up for retail sale.
Heading 1504
Prepared meat sausages
Prepared meat and meat offal belong to 1602, which sits alongside 1604 in chapter 16.
Heading 1602

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for canned sardines in oil?

Sardines in oil in airtight containers, neither skinned nor boned, are 1604.13.20.00 at a general (MFN) rate of 15%. If they are skinned or boned, the code is 1604.13.30.00 at a general (MFN) rate of 20%.

What is the duty on canned tuna?

Tuna in oil in airtight containers is 1604.14.10.99 at a general (MFN) rate of 35%. Tuna in airtight containers not in oil, outside the quota lines, is 1604.14.30.99 at a general (MFN) rate of 12.5%.

How do I classify canned salmon?

Salmon in oil in airtight containers is 1604.11.20.90 (other) at a general (MFN) rate of 6%, with 1604.11.20.20 for pink and 1604.11.20.30 for sockeye at the same rate. Canned salmon not in oil is free, for example 1604.11.40.20 for pink.

Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.