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Marine

Export frozen fish

India’s second-largest seafood export. MPEDA registration, an EIC-approved plant and a health certificate are the gate.

Free to exportHS 0303
HS code
0303
Fish, frozen, whole (0303 — ribbonfish, mackerel, pomfret, seer, tuna, croakers and others) and fish fillets and other fish meat, fresh, chilled or frozen (0304).
Export policy
Free to export
Free for most species, but you must be registered with MPEDA, process in an EIC-approved plant for markets that require it, and avoid species protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act or CITES (some sharks, rays and others), which cannot be exported. Confirm the species line on DGFT.
Registrations
6
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 917 mn
to 89 countries

What is exported

Frozen fish was India’s second-largest seafood export in 2024-25, earning ₹5,212.12 crore (US$ 622.60 million), according to MPEDA. Whole frozen ribbonfish, mackerel, sardine, croaker and reef fish go mainly to Asian buyers; fillets and value-added fish go to the EU, Japan and the Middle East. For all Indian seafood, China, the EU, South-East Asia, Japan and the Middle East follow the USA as the main markets.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Whole frozen fish (0303)Ribbonfish, Indian mackerel, sardine, croaker, reef cod, pomfret, seer and tuna.
  • Fillets and loins (0304)Tuna loins, seer and other fillets for Europe, Japan and the Gulf.
  • Surimi and fish meatMince from threadfin bream and other species.

Where it is grown or made

  • GujaratVeraval and Porbandar — ribbonfish, croaker and surimi.
  • Kerala and KarnatakaKochi and Mangaluru — mackerel, sardine, tuna.
  • Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and MaharashtraVisakhapatnam, Thoothukudi and Ratnagiri.

Season

The monsoon fishing ban (roughly June–July on the west coast and April–June on the east coast) cuts supply; plants build frozen stock before it.

Export packing

  • Block-frozen or IQF fish, glazed, in poly bags inside master cartons marked with the EIC-approved plant number.
  • Reefers at –18 °C or colder; tuna for sashimi markets needs ultra-low temperatures.

Who buys abroad

  • Seafood importers and processors in China and South-East Asia
  • Importers and retailers in the EU, Japan and the Middle East
  • Fishmeal and surimi buyers

The quality buyers ask for

Codex standards
Quick frozen finfish CXS 36-1981; quick frozen fish fillets CXS 190-1995
Temperature
–18 °C or colder at the core
Histamine
Tested in scombroid species against the destination’s limits
Glaze
Glaze declared; net weight excludes glaze

Certificates

  • MPEDA registrationRequiredCompulsory registration as an exporter of marine products under the MPEDA Act.
  • EIC plant approval and health certificateRequiredRequired for fishery, egg and milk products and wherever the importing country asks for an EIC certificate.
  • Catch certificate (EU)Often askedValidated catch certificate under the EU rules against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
  • HACCPOften askedA food-safety plan that controls hazards at each processing step. Most importers ask for it.
  • BRCGS Food SafetyOften askedGFSI-recognised standard asked for by UK and many EU retailers for private label.
  • US FDA food-facility registrationOften askedEvery facility making food for the USA must register with the FDA, and each shipment needs prior notice. Canned and acidified foods also need FCE/SID process filing.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

40-ft reefers at –18 °C or colder (ultra-low for sashimi tuna); a 40-ft typically carries about 25–27 tonnes of cartons (your forwarder confirms).

How it travels

Sea freight; Vizag and JNPT were the top seafood ports in 2024-25 (MPEDA).

Storage

Plate or blast frozen, stored at –18 °C or colder.

Shelf life

Typically 12–24 months frozen, depending on species and fat content.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Each carton: species (common and scientific name), product form, catch area, production method, approved plant number, net weight excluding glaze, production and expiry dates, storage temperature, “Product of India”.
  • EU retail packs (Regulation 1169/2011): name of the food, ingredients with allergens highlighted, net quantity, best-before or use-by date, storage conditions, the EU importer’s name and address, origin where required — in the language of the country of sale.
  • USA (21 CFR 101): product name, net quantity in US and metric units, ingredients, major allergens (including sesame), the packer’s or distributor’s name and place of business, Nutrition Facts unless exempt, and “Product of India”.
  • Lot or batch number on every pack and carton, matching the invoice and packing list, so the goods can be traced and recalled.
Where to get it tested

EIC and its Export Inspection Agencies run laboratories and approve private labs for export certification (eicindia.gov.in). NABL-accredited labs (nabl-india.org) test residues, heavy metals and microbiology.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • MPEDARegistration as an exporter of marine products (and RCMC) is compulsory under the MPEDA Act before you export seafood.mpeda.gov.in ↗
  • Export Inspection Council (EIC)Plant approval and export health certificate for products notified for compulsory inspection, or where the importing country asks for an EIC certificate (fishery products, egg products, milk products and others).eicindia.gov.in ↗
  • FSSAIFood business licence. Food exporters come under the Central licence; apply on FoSCoS and keep it valid for the premises you make or pack from.foscos.fssai.gov.in ↗
  • Buyer-country food registrationMany importing countries register the foreign plant or the product — for example US FDA food-facility registration, GACC registration for China, or product registration in some Gulf states. Check APEDA’s importing-country regulations page.apeda.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Histamine in scombroid fish (tuna, mackerel, sardine), heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, lead) and microbiology.
  • Catch certificate for the EU (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing rules) and plant listing for the EU, China and other markets.
  • Glazing declared honestly — net weight excludes the ice glaze.
How to start small

Register with MPEDA, then buy from an EIC-approved processing plant that already exports to your target market, starting with one species and one buyer on LC or advance. Since 15 September 2026, a consignment worth up to ₹3 lakh FOB does not need an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27); licences that a law requires, such as FSSAI, still apply.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Histamine above the limit in tuna or mackerel — results from poor icing on the boat or at landing.
  • Shipping from a plant not listed for the destination; the container is refused.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (5)
  1. MPEDA — Press note on seafood exports 2024-25 (9 Jul 2025)
  2. MPEDA — Marine Products Export Development Authority (exporter registration)
  3. Export Inspection Council of India (EIC)
  4. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)
  5. DGFT Notification 36/2026-27 (15 Sep 2026) — no RCMC needed for consignments up to ₹3 lakh FOB

Trade data

Indian frozen fish exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 917 mn
+8.6% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +8.9%
US$ 842 mn → US$ 917 mn
Buyer countries
89
Average export price
US$ 1.91
per kg · 4,80,139 tonnes shipped · US$ 1.84 the year before
China: US$ 304 mnThailand: US$ 176 mnJapan: US$ 83.4 mnTaiwan: US$ 44.7 mnUnited States of America: US$ 36 mnMalaysia: US$ 31.4 mnVietnam: US$ 22.4 mnSouth Korea: US$ 16.6 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 11.4 mnTanzania: US$ 9.1 mnSingapore: US$ 8.3 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 7.7 mnItaly: US$ 7 mnKuwait: US$ 6.5 mnSpain: US$ 5.4 mnCôte d’Ivoire: US$ 4 mnPortugal: US$ 4 mnSenegal: US$ 3.5 mnIndonesia: US$ 3.5 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 3.4 mnChina: US$ 304 mnChinaThailand: US$ 176 mnThailandJapan: US$ 83.4 mnTaiwan: US$ 44.7 mnTaiwanUnited States of America: US$ 36 mnUnited States of AmericaMalaysia: US$ 31.4 mnMalaysiaVietnam: US$ 22.4 mnSouth Korea: US$ 16.6 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 11.4 mnUnited Arab EmiratesTanzania: US$ 9.1 mnSingapore: US$ 8.3 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 7.7 mnItaly: US$ 7 mnKuwait: US$ 6.5 mnSpain: US$ 5.4 mnCôte d’Ivoire: US$ 4 mnPortugal: US$ 4 mnSenegal: US$ 3.5 mnIndonesia: US$ 3.5 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 3.4 mnIndia
Where Indian frozen fish goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 608 mn6082020-212021-22: US$ 725 mn7252021-222022-23: US$ 956 mn9562022-232023-24: US$ 898 mn8982023-242024-25: US$ 842 mn8422024-252025-26: US$ 917 mn9172025-26
India’s frozen fish exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2021-22, lowest in 2024-25 — a 16% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 2.12 per kg2021-22: US$ 2.15 per kg2.152022-23: US$ 1.95 per kg2024-25: US$ 1.84 per kg1.842025-26: US$ 1.91 per kg1.912020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian frozen fish · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 608 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 725 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 956 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 898 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 842 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 917 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 1.04 bn (US$ 875 mn – US$ 1.24 bn)1.0k2026-272027-28: US$ 1.11 bn (US$ 919 mn – US$ 1.35 bn)1.1k2027-28
India’s frozen fish exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 1.11 bn

Likely range US$ 919 mn to US$ 1.35 bn.

Trend
+7.2% a year
Fit (R²)
0.57
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1ChinaUS$ 304 mn+14.1%
2ThailandUS$ 176 mn-3.3%
3JapanUS$ 83.4 mn+8.1%
4TaiwanUS$ 44.7 mn+12%
5United States of AmericaUS$ 36 mn-3.7%
6MalaysiaUS$ 31.4 mn+29%
7TunisiaUS$ 29 mn-10.8%
8VietnamUS$ 22.4 mn+35.3%
9LithuaniaUS$ 17.1 mn-0.8%
10CameroonUS$ 17.1 mn-10.9%
11South KoreaUS$ 16.6 mn-8.1%
12United Arab EmiratesUS$ 11.4 mn+72.5%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. BelarusUS$ 4.2 mn → US$ 10.9 mn+158.8%
  2. United Arab EmiratesUS$ 6.6 mn → US$ 11.4 mn+72.5%
  3. VietnamUS$ 16.5 mn → US$ 22.4 mn+35.3%
  4. MalaysiaUS$ 24.3 mn → US$ 31.4 mn+29%
  5. ChinaUS$ 266 mn → US$ 304 mn+14.1%
  6. TaiwanUS$ 39.9 mn → US$ 44.7 mn+12%

Low demand

  1. CameroonUS$ 19.2 mn → US$ 17.1 mn-10.9%
  2. TunisiaUS$ 32.5 mn → US$ 29 mn-10.8%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Others-of-others-of-fish fillets and other fish meat (whether or not minced), fresh, chilled or frozen0304 99 00 · Fish meat, excluding fillets, whether or not minced, frozen in item no. 0304.9US$ 262 mn+21.6%1,21,547 tonnesUS$ 2.15 per kgwas US$ 1.94
Fish, frozen in heading 0303, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings… — ribbon fish frozen0303 89 30US$ 188 mn+9.4%98,627 tonnesUS$ 1.90 per kgwas US$ 1.81
Indian mackerels (rastrelliger spp.)0303 59 10 · Fish, frozen in item no. 0303.5, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings…US$ 128 mn-18%72,848 tonnesUS$ 1.75 per kgwas US$ 1.67
Croakers, groupers and flounders frozen0303 89 80 · Fish, frozen in heading 0303, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings…US$ 69.8 mn+14.8%46,806 tonnesUS$ 1.49 per kgwas US$ 1.30
Fish, frozen in heading 0303, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings… — other frozen fish0303 89 90US$ 41.4 mn-2.2%21,434 tonnesUS$ 1.93 per kgwas US$ 2.55
Skipjack tuna( stripe-bellied bonito), (katsuwonuspelamis)0303 43 00 · Fish, frozen, skipjack tuna, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings…US$ 37.9 mn+5%29,865 tonnesUS$ 1.27 per kgwas US$ 1.27
Pomfret (white or silver or black) frozen0303 89 50 · Fish, frozen in heading 0303, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings…US$ 35.4 mn-1.5%3,263 tonnesUS$ 10.84 per kgwas US$ 12.01
Fish, frozen, tilapias, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91… — tilapias frozen0303 23 00US$ 26 mn+47.6%23,258 tonnesUS$ 1.12 per kgwas US$ 1.09
Frozen fillets of other fish0304 89 90 · Fish fillets, frozen, of fish in heading 0304.8US$ 21.3 mn0%2,761 tonnesUS$ 7.70 per kgwas US$ 7.33
Fish, frozen, yellowfin tunas, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings… — yellowfin tunas frozen0303 42 00US$ 17.9 mn-26.5%9,606 tonnesUS$ 1.87 per kgwas US$ 1.84
Fish, frozen, sole, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to… — sole frozen0303 33 00US$ 12.1 mn+27.3%7,921 tonnesUS$ 1.53 per kgwas US$ 1.41
Sardines, sardinella, brisling or sprats frozen0303 53 00 · Fish, frozen, sardines, sardinella, brisling or sprats, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible…US$ 7.4 mn+312.9%9,043 tonnesUS$ 0.81 per kgwas US$ 1.01
Fish, frozen, carp, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to… — carp frozen0303 25 00US$ 6.7 mn+100.9%5,355 tonnesUS$ 1.25 per kgwas US$ 1.19
Jack and horse mackerel frozen0303 55 00 · Fish, frozen, jack and horse mackerel, excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of…US$ 5.3 mn+103.1%5,594 tonnesUS$ 0.94 per kgwas US$ 0.75

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 55.9 bn
2023
India among exporters
#15
of 146 countries
India’s share of world exports
2%
US$ 983 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 47.8 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1ChileUS$ 5.78 bn 11.8%
  2. 2ChinaUS$ 5.58 bn 11.4%
  3. 3NorwayUS$ 4.79 bn 9.8%
  4. 4Viet NamUS$ 3.27 bn 6.7%
  5. 5USAUS$ 3.05 bn 6.3%
  6. 6NetherlandsUS$ 2.5 bn 5.1%
  7. 7DenmarkUS$ 1.56 bn 3.2%
  8. 8SpainUS$ 1.54 bn 3.2%
  9. 9IcelandUS$ 1.54 bn 3.2%
  10. 10PolandUS$ 1.27 bn 2.6%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 9.43 bn 16.9%
  2. 2JapanUS$ 6.01 bn 10.8%
  3. 3ChinaUS$ 5.3 bn 9.5%
  4. 4GermanyUS$ 2.44 bn 4.4%
  5. 5ThailandUS$ 2.3 bn 4.1%
  6. 6Rep. of KoreaUS$ 2.05 bn 3.7%
  7. 7FranceUS$ 1.9 bn 3.4%
  8. 8SpainUS$ 1.82 bn 3.3%
  9. 9United KingdomUS$ 1.46 bn 2.6%
  10. 10ItalyUS$ 1.43 bn 2.6%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

United States of AmericaUS$ 9.16 bnIndia 0.4% · gap US$ 9.12 bn
JapanUS$ 5.5 bnIndia 1.3% · gap US$ 5.43 bn
ChinaUS$ 5.16 bnIndia 5.5% · gap US$ 4.88 bn
GermanyUS$ 2.17 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 2.17 bn
FranceUS$ 1.88 bnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 1.88 bn
SpainUS$ 1.82 bnIndia 0.2% · gap US$ 1.82 bn
South KoreaUS$ 1.75 bnIndia 1.1% · gap US$ 1.73 bn
ItalyUS$ 1.49 bnIndia 0.4% · gap US$ 1.49 bn
United KingdomUS$ 1.46 bnIndia 0.4% · gap US$ 1.45 bn
NetherlandsUS$ 1.27 bnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 1.27 bn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export frozen fish

India is a major seafood exporter; frozen fish was its second-largest seafood item in 2024-25 at US$ 622.60 million (MPEDA), after shrimp. Norway, China, Vietnam and Ecuador lead world seafood trade overall. Indian frozen fish goes mainly to China and South-East Asia as whole fish, with fillets and value-added products for the EU, Japan and the Middle East. The openings are better-handled, value-added fish (fillets, loins, portions) from EIC-approved plants listed for premium markets.

  1. 01Register with MPEDA

    Get MPEDA exporter registration and RCMC.

  2. 02Pick a listed plant

    Process in an EIC-approved plant listed for your market.

  3. 03Control the raw fish

    Ice fish on the boat and at landing to keep histamine low.

  4. 04Get catch documents

    Get the catch certificate validated for EU shipments.

  5. 05Test and certify

    Test histamine, metals and micro; get the EIC health certificate.

  6. 06Book, stuff and file

    Book the container, stuff it with a pre-shipment check, file the shipping bill on ICEGATE and get the certificate of origin and any health certificate.

  7. 07Get paid and close the file

    Send the original documents through your bank (or to the buyer if paid in advance). Once the money arrives, get the e-BRC and claim RoDTEP and drawback where they apply.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting frozen fish

Do I need MPEDA registration?
Yes. Every exporter of marine products must register with MPEDA before exporting.
Which species cannot be exported?
Species protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act and CITES-listed species without permits, including some sharks and rays. Check before buying.
What RoDTEP applies?
Most whole frozen fish: 3% of FOB, capped at ₹24 per kg; most fillets: 2.5%, capped at ₹24 per kg; some lines 0.5%.
Why was my tuna rejected?
Most often histamine above the limit, caused by poor icing after catch.
Is a catch certificate needed for China?
The catch certificate is an EU requirement; China needs the plant to be registered with its customs (GACC) and an EIC health certificate. Confirm with your buyer.
Sources (5)
  1. MPEDA — Press note on seafood exports 2024-25 (9 Jul 2025)
  2. MPEDA — Marine Products Export Development Authority (exporter registration)
  3. Export Inspection Council of India (EIC)
  4. Codex Alimentarius — list of standards
  5. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)

Who buys Indian frozen fish

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