Planning Use SEO page 190

HTS code for frozen chicken: document cut, processing, and origin

Planning Use only. Broker review required for Entry Use.

Frozen chicken classification depends on the cut and processing state. Whole birds, breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings, mechanically separated meat, cooked chicken, breaded chicken, seasoned chicken, sausages, and prepared meals are not the same customs file.

Use this page to prepare a Planning Use record before broker review. The record should show cut, bone-in or boneless status, raw or cooked state, seasoning, packaging, cold-chain details, origin, and supplier code.

quick answer

For "hts code for frozen chicken", collect chicken cut, raw or cooked status, bone-in or boneless status, skin-on or skinless status, seasoning, breading, added ingredients, packaging, net weight, origin, and supplier code.

Frozen raw boneless chicken breast is not the same file as frozen whole chicken, wings, thighs, drumsticks, cooked diced chicken, breaded tenders, marinated chicken, chicken sausage, or prepared frozen meal. The candidate path depends on cut and processing.

facts to collect for frozen chicken

Collect:

Product name, SKU, invoice wording, product specification, packing list, and label copy.
Photos of cartons, bags, labels, ingredient list, plant marks, lot codes, net weight, and origin statement.
Product form: whole chicken, breast, thigh, drumstick, wing, tender, trim, mechanically separated meat, cooked pieces, breaded item, sausage, or prepared food.
Processing state: raw, cooked, steamed, grilled, breaded, seasoned, marinated, smoked, cured, or further prepared.
Bone and skin facts: bone-in, boneless, skin-on, skinless, chopped, diced, ground, or formed.
Ingredients: salt, marinade, seasoning, breading, oil, sauce, preservatives, or other additives.
Packaging: IQF, block frozen, retail bag, carton, bulk case, vacuum pack, foodservice pack, or tray.
Cold-chain facts, net weight, country of origin, processing country, and supplier code source.

If the product is cooked or seasoned, collect the ingredient statement and process description.

missing facts

Mark the record incomplete when:

Cut is not identified.
Raw versus cooked state is unclear.
Bone-in, boneless, skin-on, or skinless status is missing.
Seasoning, breading, marinade, or additives are visible but not listed.
Origin and processing country are not supported.
Bulk and retail packaging are mixed.
Supplier code is unsupported.
Similar CBP CROSS rulings for frozen chicken, poultry cuts, cooked chicken, breaded chicken, and prepared poultry products have not been checked.

These gaps can move the review between raw poultry cuts, cooked poultry, prepared foods, seasoned products, sausages, and frozen meals.

HTS candidate notes

Build candidate rows for the actual import: whole frozen chicken, frozen breast, frozen thighs, wings, drumsticks, boneless meat, cooked chicken, breaded chicken, marinated chicken, chicken sausage, or prepared frozen meal. Each row should cite cut, processing, ingredients, packaging, and origin.

Rejected paths should stay visible. If the supplier code covers raw frozen chicken but the label shows breading or cooked product, mark that conflict. If origin or process is unclear, keep the record incomplete.

authority sources

Use USITC HTS for tariff text. Use CBP CROSS for poultry cuts, frozen chicken, cooked chicken, breaded poultry, and prepared poultry products. Use 19 CFR 177.2 for evidence completeness. Poultry import controls may require separate USDA or food-safety review outside this Planning Use page.

planning path

Start with cut and processing state. Then document ingredients, packaging, and origin. A short invoice line like "frozen chicken" is not enough for review.

For duty exposure, processing and origin should be checked before the shipment moves. Raw cuts, cooked meat, breaded items, and prepared meals can take different planning routes.

questions importers ask

Can I use this page as the HTS code for frozen chicken?

No. Use it for Planning Use. Entry Use needs broker or customs authority review.

Does raw versus cooked matter?

Yes. Raw, cooked, breaded, seasoned, and prepared products should be separated.

What if origin and processing country differ?

Record both and mark any missing support before review.

internal links

planning boundary

This frozen chicken HTS page is a planning artifact. It is not an Entry Use classification, not a binding ruling, and not a legal opinion. The importer remains responsible for reasonable care and must obtain broker or customs authority review before filing.

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