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Canada → SE Asia

Beef Tongue: export from Canada to Southeast Asia

Beef tongue is a high-value offal item in Asian markets, particularly for barbecue and hotpot foodservice, and the trim convention determines both value and acceptance.

The key variables are whether the tongue is long-cut or short-cut, whether the root, tonsils and surrounding tissue have been removed, and the weight band. These conventions differ between origins, so a buyer whose expectation was set by another supplier should state the standard explicitly and not assume a common one.

Swiss-cut and untrimmed products are quite different commercially and priced accordingly.

Freezing method affects texture on thaw as it does for all offal. Eligibility for the destination is confirmed for offal specifically, not inferred from an establishment's approval for muscle cuts, and is the first thing to establish.

Tongue classifies with edible offal, not with muscle cuts, and some destinations sub-divide further. Confirm the specific line and the offal eligibility position together before pricing a programme.

Canadian export requirements

HS classification
0206.21 (Edible offal of bovine animals, frozen) tongues (fresh or chilled bovine offal falls in 0206.10)
CFIA certificates
Certificate of Inspection Covering Meat Products (CFIA/ACIA 1454)

Six-market position

MarketMFN dutyPreferentialRegistration category
VietnamOn requestOn requestOn request
ThailandOn requestOn requestOn request
PhilippinesOn requestOn requestOn request
IndonesiaOn requestOn requestOn request
MalaysiaOn requestOn requestOn request
SingaporeOn requestOn requestOn request

MFN duty is the destination's applied general rate for this tariff line. Preferential is the rate under an agreement in force between Canada and that market.

Both are customs duty only: destination excise, value-added tax and local levies are additional and are not shown here.

Available on request: send your specification and destination and we'll confirm within five working days.

Commercial terms

Producing provinces
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario
Seasonality
Year-round production
Pack formats
Frozen cartons, Interleaved frozen blocks
Container configuration
On request
Indicative MOQ
On request

Common questions

What is the HS code for beef tongue?
0206.21 (Edible offal of bovine animals, frozen) tongues (fresh or chilled bovine offal falls in 0206.10). This was read from Canada Border Services Agency on 2026-09-18. The first six digits are the same in every country that uses the Harmonised System; digits beyond that are set by the destination.

Sources

Last reviewed: September 1, 2026