Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFrozen
Industry PositionPrimary Seafood Product
Raw Material
Market
Frozen hake in the United States is supplied by a mix of domestic wild-capture fisheries and imports of frozen fillets/blocks for retail, foodservice, and further processing. Domestic supply is linked to U.S. Pacific and Northeast groundfish fisheries, while imports broaden species and cut availability across channels. Market access and performance are driven by cold-chain integrity, buyer specifications for frozen whitefish, and U.S. compliance requirements overseen by FDA and CBP. Price and availability can shift with fishery conditions, import supply reliability, and reefer freight volatility.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market with meaningful domestic wild-capture production
Domestic RoleDomestic wild-capture landings supply processors and distributors alongside imported frozen product.
SeasonalityRetail and foodservice availability is typically year-round due to frozen inventory and imports, while domestic wild-capture landings can be seasonal based on fishery openings and operational conditions.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Lean, mild-flavored whitefish commonly sold as frozen fillets, portions, or blocks
Grades- Buyer specifications commonly define cut (fillet/portion/block), glazing expectations, defect tolerances, and size/weight ranges.
Packaging- Frozen fillets/portions packed in polybags and cartons
- Frozen blocks packed in lined master cartons for further processing
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Wild capture or overseas processing → freezing → export in reefer containers → U.S. port entry (CBP/FDA) → cold storage → importer/distributor → retail/foodservice/processing
Temperature- Continuous frozen cold-chain control with temperature monitoring from origin through U.S. cold storage and distribution
Shelf Life- Quality is sensitive to temperature excursions and packaging integrity (e.g., dehydration/freezer burn risk).
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighIf upstream fishing or processing in the supply chain is linked to forced labor indicators or high IUU risk, U.S. border enforcement actions (e.g., CBP holds) can delay or block entry for frozen hake shipments and disrupt program continuity.Run enhanced supplier due diligence (vessel/fishery risk screening where applicable), require verifiable labor-compliance documentation, and maintain alternative qualified suppliers to protect continuity.
Logistics MediumReefer freight volatility and cold-chain disruption risk can raise landed costs and create temperature excursions that downgrade product quality.Use temperature loggers, define cold-chain KPIs in contracts, and diversify ports/carriers to reduce single-lane exposure.
Food Safety MediumTemperature abuse, sanitation failures, or contamination events can trigger FDA examination, import refusal, or recalls for frozen fish products.Align supplier HACCP plans to FDA expectations, verify preventive controls at origin, and implement incoming quality/temperature checks at U.S. cold storage.
Regulatory Compliance MediumSpecies mislabeling or substitution risk for whitefish can lead to enforcement actions, customer claims, and reputational damage in the U.S. market.Require species verification controls (documentation and, where warranted, DNA testing) and ensure labeling aligns with FDA Seafood List market names.
Sustainability- Bottom-trawl fishery impacts (bycatch and benthic habitat interaction) can be a sustainability scrutiny point for hake programs depending on source fishery.
- IUU fishing risk screening is relevant for imported frozen hake supply chains.
Labor & Social- Forced labor risks documented in parts of the global fishing sector can create U.S. import disruption risk if upstream labor practices are non-compliant (supply-chain due diligence needed for imported product).
Standards- BRCGS
- SQF
- IFS Food
- ISO 22000
FAQ
Which U.S. agencies are most relevant to importing frozen hake?CBP handles customs entry and admissibility at the border, while FDA oversees seafood safety compliance (including Seafood HACCP expectations). NOAA Fisheries is relevant for U.S. fishery management and provides industry references, and NMFS also runs a voluntary seafood inspection program.
Where can an importer check the U.S. tariff classification and duty rate for frozen hake?Use the U.S. International Trade Commission’s Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) to identify the correct subheading for the specific frozen hake product form and see the applicable duty rates and notes.
What is the core U.S. food-safety compliance framework commonly referenced for seafood like frozen hake?FDA’s Seafood HACCP framework, including 21 CFR Part 123 and the FDA Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guidance, is the primary reference set used for seafood safety controls and importer verification expectations.