HS Code 1604.12 : Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings
MODULE 2: EXTRACTABLE ANSWER (AEO / SPEAKABLE)
EN (Official WCO)
FR (Pending)
ES (Pending)
The 6-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, herrings is 1604.12. Under the 2026 United Kingdom (UKGT), the representative MFN general duty rate is 0.00 % [HMRC Trade Tariff 2026].
MODULE 3: SIGNATURE A: HS DECODE VISUAL HIERARCHY
Subheading .12
.12
Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings
MODULE 4: SIGNATURE B: TARIFF MATRIX
Import Duty Rates by Destination
United Kingdom (UK Global Tariff / UKGT 2026)
1604120000
MODULE 5: UK IMPORT DUTY & VAT BREAKDOWN
UK Customs De Minimis
£135.00
Duty-free threshold
Notice: UK import duties and VAT are governed by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Always verify declarable 10-digit commodity codes and preference eligibility before customs lodgement.
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MODULE 6: Mandatory Customs Entry Document Matrix
Rule-Derived Customs Entry Package Checklist
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Commercial Invoice
Itemized description, currency, Incoterms, seller/buyer details, and country of origin.
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Packing List & Bill of Lading
Gross/net weight, container/seal numbers, piece count, and transport B/L or Air Waybill.
PREFERENTIAL RULE
Certificate of Origin (If Claiming FTA)
Required only when claiming zero-duty preference under USMCA, KORUS, or GSP.
MODULE 7: Regulatory Compliance & Partner Government Agency (PGA) Flags
Standard Entry
This commodity does not carry mandatory PGA pre-clearance flags under the ACE message set.
MODULE 8: UK Trade Remedies (TRA) & Safeguards
UK TRA Anti-Dumping Status
Standard UKGT Tariff
UK Steel Safeguards
Exempt (Non-Steel Commodity)
DEFRA / MHRA Control Status
Standard Statutory Clearance
MODULE 9: Free Trade Agreements (FTA) & Rules of Origin (RoO)
| Agreement Code | Trade Agreement / Program | Preferential Rate | Rules of Origin (RoO) Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCA | UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement | Free | Must satisfy UK-EU Statement on Origin and product-specific rules. |
| AUS | UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement | Free | Direct origin proof or tariff shift requirement. |
| CPTPP | Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership | Free | CPTPP Certificate of Origin and regional value content rule. |
MODULE 10: Logistics, Freight & Transport Specifications
Standard 20ft Container
~28 CBM / 28,000 kg Payload
Standard 40ft High-Cube
~68 CBM / 28,600 kg Payload
Stowage Factor & Handling
Standard commercial packaging for Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings
MODULE 11: UK Advanced Tariff Rulings (ATaR)
Legally binding classification rulings issued by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for HS 1604.12.
Query the official HMRC Advanced Tariff Rulings (ATaR) database:
Search HMRC Trade Tariff Database for 1604.12 →UKGT Declarable Commodity Lines (1604.12)
| HTS Code | Description | General Rate | Special (FTA) Rate | Column 2 Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1604.12 | Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings | Free | Free | Rate on request | — |
| 1604.12.20.00 | Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings, In oil, in airtight containers | 4% | Free (A+,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E, IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S, SG) | 30% | kg |
| 1604.12.40.00 | Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings, Other, In tomato sauce, smoked or kippered, and in immediate containers weighing with their contents over 0.45 kg each | Free | Free | 25% | kg |
| 1604.12.60 | Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings, Other, Other | Free | Free | 25% | — |
| 1604.12.60.10 | Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings, Other, Other, Pickled, Fillets | Free | Free | Rate on request | kg |
| 1604.12.60.30 | Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings, Other, Other, Pickled, Other | Free | Free | Rate on request | kg |
| 1604.12.60.50 | Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings, Other, Other, Other, Kipper snacks | Free | Free | Rate on request | kg |
| 1604.12.60.90 | Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings, Other, Other, Other, Other | Free | Free | Rate on request | kg |
MODULE 12: Candidate Subheadings & Related Codes
| Related HS Code | Heading Category | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1604.11 | Subheading under Heading 1604 | Compare Subheading 1604.11 → |
| 1604.13 | Subheading under Heading 1604 | Compare Subheading 1604.13 → |
| 1604.14 | Subheading under Heading 1604 | Compare Subheading 1604.14 → |
| 1604.15 | Subheading under Heading 1604 | Compare Subheading 1604.15 → |
| 1604.16 | Subheading under Heading 1604 | Compare Subheading 1604.16 → |
| 1604.17 | Subheading under Heading 1604 | Compare Subheading 1604.17 → |
| 1604.18 | Subheading under Heading 1604 | Compare Subheading 1604.18 → |
| 1604.19 | Subheading under Heading 1604 | Compare Subheading 1604.19 → |
Official Primary Sources & Authority References
HMRC Trade Tariff Service (UKGT 2026) ↗
Official UK 10-digit commodity codes and UKGT MFN duty rates.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Customs Declarations ↗
UK customs entry guidance and CDS procedures.
MODULE 14: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Operational Guide
What is the 6-digit WCO tariff classification and United Kingdom (UKGT) general duty for Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings?
Under WCO Harmonized System 2022 and United Kingdom (UKGT), Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings is classified under HS 1604.12 (Heading 1604, Chapter 16). The representative UK MFN general duty rate is 0.00 %.
How is HS 1604.12 distinguished within Heading 1604 (Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs)?
Heading 1604 covers Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs. Subheading 1604.12 specifically isolates Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings. Importers must verify whether physical characteristics, processing state, or composition require alternative subheadings under Heading 1604.
What are the primary candidate subheadings related to HS 1604.12?
Related subheadings under Heading 1604 include 1604.11, 1604.13, 1604.14, 1604.15, 1604.16, 1604.17, 1604.18, 1604.19. Classification depends on processing stage, decaffeination, purity, or material form.
What mandatory commercial entry documents are required to import Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings into the United Kingdom?
Importers require a Commercial Invoice (detailing Incoterms and origin), Packing List, Bill of Lading (or Air Waybill), HMRC Customs Declaration Service (CDS) entry declaration (or Single Administrative Document / SAD), active EORI number, and proof of origin.
Can goods under HS 1604.12 enter duty-free under UK Free Trade Agreements?
Yes. Eligible goods originating in EU Member States, US, Japan, Australia, or CPTPP countries enter duty-free or under reduced tariff rates provided they satisfy Rules of Origin with an official Statement on Origin.
What is the UK customs duty de minimis threshold for shipments of Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced, Herrings?
Shipments imported into Great Britain with an intrinsic value of £135 or less enter customs duty-free under UKGT rules, though 20.00% import VAT remains payable.
How can an importer obtain an official UK Advanced Tariff Ruling (ATaR) for HS 1604.12?
Importers may apply to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for an Advanced Tariff Ruling (ATaR). An ATaR provides legally binding tariff classification for 3 years across the United Kingdom.
What UK DEFRA sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls apply to HS 1604.12?
Food and plant products in Chapter 16 imported into Great Britain require pre-notification via IPAFFS (Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System) and official phytosanitary/health certification.
What import VAT rate applies to HS 1604.12 in the United Kingdom?
Standard UK import VAT is 20.00%, calculated on total landed CIF cost (Customs Value + Freight/Insurance + UKGT Import Duty). Reduced or zero rates apply to specific statutory essential goods.
What is the UK EORI registration requirement for commercial imports under HS 1604.12?
All businesses importing goods into Great Britain require a UK EORI number starting with 'GB' (registered via HMRC Government Gateway) for CDS customs entry declarations.
How does UK Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA) work for imports of HS 1604.12?
Under UK PVA rules, UK VAT-registered importers can account for and recover import VAT on their standard VAT return rather than paying upfront at the port of entry.
What UK Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) safeguarding or anti-dumping duties apply?
Importers must verify whether specific trade remedies (anti-dumping or countervailing measures) published by the UK Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) apply to their originating country.
What prohibited or restricted goods controls apply to HS 1604.12 in the UK?
Certain commodities under HS 1604.12 require import licenses or phytosanitary inspections from DEFRA, MHRA, or the UK Environment Agency prior to UK customs release.
Are there entry processing fees or harbor taxes in the UK?
No. The United Kingdom does not charge additional entry processing fees or harbor taxes beyond standard UKGT customs duties and applicable import VAT. Customs declarations are processed via HMRC CDS.