HTS codes for fish and seafood

Headings in Chapter 03

• 0301Live fish13
• 0302Fish, fresh or chilled, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 030499
• 0303Fish, frozen, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 030486
• 0304Fish fillets and other fish meat (whether or not minced), fresh, chilled or frozen166
• 0305Fish, dried, salted or in brine; smoked fish, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process54
• 0306Crustaceans, whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; smoked crustaceans, whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process; crustaceans, in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water, whether or not chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine68
• 0307Molluscs, whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; smoked molluscs, whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process54
• 0308Aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans and molluscs, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; smoked aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans and molluscs, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process9
• 0309Flours, meals and pellets of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, fit for human consumption13

Documents required to import Chapter 03 goods

Customs paperwork typically required to import these goods into the United States. Conditional items depend on shipment value, transport mode, or origin.

• Commercial InvoiceRequired
• Packing ListRequired
• Bill of Lading / Airway BillRequired
• CBP Entry Summary (7501)Required

  Prepared and filed by your customs broker

• CBP Entry / Release (3461)Required

  Prepared and filed by your customs broker

• Customs Bond (CBP 301)Conditional

  Required for formal entries — generally shipments valued over $2,500

  Single-entry or continuous bond, obtained through your broker or a surety

• Importer Security Filing (ISF "10+2")Conditional

  Required for ocean freight only

  Filed electronically at least 24 hours before loading at the foreign port

• Importer ID Input Record (CBP 5106)Conditional

  Required to establish or update your importer-of-record number with CBP

  One-time setup for a new importer; not filed per shipment

• Entry Manifest (CBP 7533)Conditional

  Alternative to the 3461 for informal, low-value, or contiguous-country entries

• USDA Import PermitRequired

  Must be obtained before shipment arrives

• Veterinary Health CertificateRequired

  Issued by official vet in country of origin

• APHIS Import Permit for Animal Products (VS 17-129)Conditional

  Required for animal products, byproducts, or in-transit shipments

• FWS Wildlife Declaration (Form 3-177)Conditional

  Required for wildlife, wildlife products, or CITES-listed species

  Filed with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at a designated port

• FDA Prior NoticeRequired

  Must be submitted 2-8 hours before arrival

• Phytosanitary CertificateConditional

  Required for plant-based products

Common questions

What does HTS Chapter 03 cover?

Chapter 03 of the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule covers fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates. It contains 9 four-digit headings and 562 tariff lines.

What is the duty rate for Chapter 03 goods?

General duty rates from 0.5% to 15%, with 511 duty-free lines; 11 lines carry a specific or compound duty. The rate that applies depends on the specific tariff line and the country of origin — preferential trade agreements can reduce or eliminate the general rate.

How do I find the right HTS code in Chapter 03?

Classification depends on the material, construction, and intended use of the product. Browse the headings on this page, or describe your product in the search box to get a candidate code with its duty rate.