HS Code 0205
Fresh, Chilled or Frozen Horse Meat
HS code 0205 covers meat of horses, asses, and mules, whether fresh, chilled, or frozen, requiring detailed veterinary health and origin documentation.
HS Code 0205 — Fresh, Chilled or Frozen Horse Meat
This code covers meat from horses, asses, mules, or hinnies. The meat can be fresh, chilled, or frozen. It is a niche trade specifically destined for markets where equid meat is traditionally consumed or used in pet food.
What's included
- Fresh horse meat
- Frozen donkey meat
- Chilled mule meat
- Horse steaks
What's excluded
- Equine offal → use
0206(Edible offal of all Chapter 2 animals belongs in 0206.)
Common examples
- Frozen horse meat for human consumption
- Chilled horse fillets
- Frozen donkey meat for industrial use
- Fresh horse carcasses
Frequently asked questions
Is horse meat legal to import into the USA for human food?
While not explicitly illegal by statute, lack of USDA inspection facility funding effectively prevents the commercial import/production of horse meat for human consumption in the USA.
Trade & shipping notes
- Typical duty range: 0% - 15%
- Documentation: Requires strict traceability to ensure animals were not treated with veterinary medicines banned for food animals (e.g., Phenylbutazone).
- Typical shipping mode: Reefer
- Top exporters: Belgium, Argentina, Canada, Mongolia
- Top importers: Japan, France, Italy, Belgium
Related HS codes
Key takeaway
Small but specialized market; heavy focus on drug residue testing and veterinary traceability.
Related HS codes
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