Prepared or preserved fish — HTS 1604
Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs
Chapter 16 › Heading 1604
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 1604 is a broad product category for fish that has been prepared or preserved, rather than being classified as fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or otherwise covered elsewhere. It generally includes prepared fish products, caviar, and caviar substitutes made from fish eggs. The heading describes the product’s condition and preparation, not one single species or finished-product format.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, start with the product’s main identity and how it was prepared. The more specific subheadings commonly distinguish the type of fish or fish eggs, the form of the product, and other product characteristics. Review the legal text, section and chapter notes, and the product’s ingredients and processing details; when the facts are complex or the classification has significant consequences, consult a customs broker or seek a formal classification ruling.
What to check
- Confirm that the product is prepared or preserved fish, caviar, or a fish-egg substitute—not merely fresh, frozen, dried, or salted fish.
- Identify the principal fish species or fish-egg material, including the species named on the product specification and commercial documents.
- Document the preparation method, such as cooking, smoking, canning, marinating, or another treatment, and record the product’s physical form.
- Check whether the recipe contains other ingredients and whether the product is a mixed preparation; use the HTSUS notes and subheading wording to determine which detail controls.
- Compare the complete 8-digit descriptions in the current HTSUS and confirm the result with a customs professional when the product could fit more than one subheading.
HTS heading 1604 summary
Prepared or preserved fish is a 4-digit product category containing 1 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 1604.11 | Salmon |
| 1604.12 | Herrings |
| 1604.13 | Sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats |
| 1604.14 | Tunas, skipjack tuna and bonito (Sarda spp.) |
| 1604.16 | Anchovies |
| 1604.17 | Eels |
| 1604.18 | Shark fins |
| 1604.19 | Other (including yellowtail) |
| 1604.20 | Other prepared or preserved fish |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1604.15.00.00 👉 | Mackerel | 3% | Free | 25% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 1604?
Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.