Pacific Halibut: export from Canada to Southeast Asia
Pacific halibut is a high-value flatfish sold in defined size bands, and the band drives price more than any other variable: larger fish yield thicker, more uniform portions and command a premium accordingly.
The product moves as headed-and-gutted whole fish, fillets and portions, fresh or frozen. Fresh halibut into Asia is an airfreight product tied to the fishery opening and priced for premium foodservice; frozen opens the sea route and a broader market.
The fishery is quota-managed with a defined season, so availability is genuinely constrained, and prices move sharply through the season.
Specify size band, format, fresh or frozen, and for frozen the freezing method and glaze. Bruising and gear marks are worth an explicit tolerance because they affect a premium presentation directly.
Flatfish classify under their own headings, and fresh and frozen forms are usually distinguished. Confirm the line for the exact species and presentation, since substituting a related species can change both the classification and the price.
Canadian export requirements
- HS classification
- 0303.31 (Fish, frozen) halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, Hippoglossus stenolepis); frozen flat-fish fillets fall in 0304.83
- CFIA certificates
- Certificate of Origin and Hygiene (CFIA/ACIA 5003)
Six-market position
| Market | MFN duty | Preferential | Registration category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | On request | On request | On request |
| Thailand | On request | On request | On request |
| Philippines | On request | On request | On request |
| Indonesia | On request | On request | On request |
| Malaysia | On request | On request | On request |
| Singapore | On request | On request | On 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
- British Columbia
- Seasonality
- Quota-managed fishery with a defined season
- Pack formats
- Vacuum-packed chilled, Frozen cartons
- Container configuration
- On request
- Indicative MOQ
- On request
Related products
Common questions
- What is the HS code for pacific halibut?
- 0303.31 (Fish, frozen) halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, Hippoglossus stenolepis); frozen flat-fish fillets fall in 0304.83. 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
- Customs Tariff (T2026), Chapter 3 · Canada Border Services Agency, retrieved September 18, 2026
- Vietnam: export requirements for fish and seafood · Canadian Food Inspection Agency, retrieved September 19, 2026
- Thailand: export requirements for fish and seafood · Canadian Food Inspection Agency, retrieved September 19, 2026
- the Philippines: export requirements for fish and seafood · Canadian Food Inspection Agency, retrieved September 19, 2026
- Indonesia: export requirements for fish and seafood · Canadian Food Inspection Agency, retrieved September 19, 2026
- Malaysia: export requirements for fish and seafood · Canadian Food Inspection Agency, retrieved September 19, 2026
- Singapore: export requirements for fish and seafood · Canadian Food Inspection Agency, retrieved September 19, 2026
Last reviewed: September 1, 2026