What HS code do I use for fresh beef?
Use it as a chapter cue, then verify the final choice against heading and subheading legal wording.
HS-2 · Chapter 02
HS chapter 02: Meat and edible meat offal
Section I — live animals; animal products
Meat and edible meat offal are essential goods in global trade, including items like fresh beef cuts or frozen pork. Importers and exporters dealing with these products must navigate specific classifications to ensure compliance and accuracy in tariffs.
To identify the correct HS-4 code, start by determining the type of meat and its state. For example, fresh or chilled bovine meat falls under 0201, while frozen swine meat is classified as 0203. Pay attention to the packaging and condition of the product to avoid confusion with similar categories.
Next, consider the end use of the product. If you're dealing with poultry, for instance, you'll look at 0207 for fresh chicken or 0210 for salted or dried meat products. Each HS-4 heading has distinct regulations based on the type of meat and processing method, so reviewing the notes in the tariff schedule is crucial.
Terms & reference phrasing
These are common trade terms used for this chapter. Use them as context, not as a substitute for legal wording.
meat classification · edible offal codes · fresh meat HS codes · frozen meat tariffs · poultry meat classification · bovine meat HS-0201 · swine meat HS-0203 · sheep meat HS-0204 · meat offal regulations · pork fat classification · meat import/export · meat packaging requirements · meat processing codes · HS-02 meat chapter · international meat trade · meat tariff schedule · meat product end use · meat shipping codes
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Related topics
Longer phrases that come up when you're comparing codes or talking to a broker.
- how to classify fresh and frozen meat products
- understanding meat and offal HS codes
- navigating meat tariff classifications
- requirements for importing edible offal
- choosing the right HS-4 code for meat
- impact of packaging on meat classification
- exporting poultry meat and its regulations
- compliance for meat and offal shipments
Examples & common questions
Example products reflect typical trade descriptions. The questions below mirror practical doubts teams raise during filing.
Example products
- Fresh beef steaks (HS-0201)
- Frozen pork chops (HS-0203)
- Chilled lamb cuts (HS-0204)
- Fresh chicken breasts (HS-0207)
- Salted beef jerky (HS-0210)
- Frozen goat meat (HS-0204)
- Edible offal from swine (HS-0206)
- Poultry fat not rendered (HS-0209)
Common classification questions
How to classify frozen pork for export?
Confirm composition, processing stage, and end-use in your documents before mapping to country digits.
What are the regulations for meat offal?
Use it as a chapter cue, then verify the final choice against heading and subheading legal wording.
Is there a specific code for salted meat?
Use it as a chapter cue, then verify the final choice against heading and subheading legal wording.
How do I determine the right meat HS-4 code?
Use it as a chapter cue, then verify the final choice against heading and subheading legal wording.
What packaging details affect meat classification?
Use it as a chapter cue, then verify the final choice against heading and subheading legal wording.
Questions & answers
For orientation only—the binding text is your national tariff and the WCO nomenclature your country uses.
- What is the difference between HS-0201 and HS-0202?
- HS-0201 covers fresh or chilled meat of bovine animals, while HS-0202 is for frozen bovine meat. Choose based on the state of the product.
- How do I classify meat offal?
- Meat offal is classified under HS-0206 for bovine, swine, sheep, goats, and other animals. Ensure you specify the type and state.
- Are there specific codes for processed meat?
- Yes, processed meat products like salted or dried meat fall under HS-0210. Check the product's processing method for accurate classification.
- What should I check before selecting an HS code for meat?
- Review the product type, state (fresh, chilled, frozen), and any processing methods. Packaging details can also affect classification.
- Can I use the same code for different types of meat?
- No, each type of meat has its own specific HS code. Ensure you select the correct code based on the product's classification.
All HS-4 headings in chapter 02 (10)
Each HS-4 links to a dedicated page with plain-English explanation, HS-6 subheadings, and FAQs. Use Browse to open the lookup in heading mode for that line.
0201
Meat of bovine animals; fresh or chilled
0202
Meat of bovine animals; frozen
0203
Meat of swine; fresh, chilled or frozen
0204
Meat of sheep or goats; fresh, chilled or frozen
0205
Meat; of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen
0206
Edible offal of bovine animals, swine, sheep, goats, horses, asses, mules or hinnies; fresh, chilled or frozen
0207
Meat and edible offal of poultry; of the poultry of heading no. 0105, (i.e. fowls of the species Gallus domesticus), fresh, chilled or frozen
0208
Meat and edible meat offal, n.e.c. in chapter 2; fresh, chilled or frozen
0209
Pig fat, free of lean meat, and poultry fat, not rendered or otherwise extracted, fresh, chilled, frozen, salted, in brine, dried or smoked
0210
Meat and edible meat offal; salted, in brine, dried or smoked; edible flours and meals of meat or meat offal
Browse first heading (HS-4 0201)
Opens the lookup in heading browse for the first HS-4 block in this chapter (0201). Prefer the table above for a specific HS-4 page with full copy.
Before you file customs documents
Chapter pages on TradeTools are educational summaries, not legal classification determinations. Cross-check candidate codes with official notes, advance rulings where available, and your broker for high-value or borderline goods.
How we classify products explains what TradeTools does (and does not) automate.