HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 01.06 – Animals; live, n.e.c. in chapter 01
What HS 01.06 covers
Heading 0106 encompasses live animals not elsewhere specified or included in Chapter 01, serving as a critical 'catch-all' for a diverse range of living creatures in international trade. This classification covers everything from exotic pets and zoo animals to laboratory specimens, certain game birds (like ostriches or emus) not falling under poultry of heading 0105, and even insects, reptiles, amphibians, and live fish primarily for ornamental or non-food purposes. The scope is defined by exclusion; if an animal is specifically mentioned in headings 0101 through 0105 (e.g., horses, bovine animals, swine, sheep/goats, domestic poultry), it falls there. Otherwise, it defaults to 0106. Key sub-categories often include mammals (like monkeys, chinchillas), birds (falcons, parrots), reptiles (snakes, lizards), amphibians (frogs), and invertebrates (bees, silkworms). This classification is paramount for trade compliance due to strict international regulations, particularly CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), which governs the trade of many species under this heading. Proper classification ensures adherence to import/export permits, health certificates, and quarantine requirements, which vary significantly by species and country. Historically, the trade of live animals has been significant for zoos, scientific research, and the burgeoning pet industry, requiring meticulous attention to animal welfare and biosecurity to prevent disease transmission and protect biodiversity. This heading completes Chapter 01, ensuring all live animals are classified.
- Covers
- Live ornamental fish
- Laboratory mice
- Laboratory rats
- Pet snakes
- Pet lizards
- Pet turtles
- Pet frogs
- Live ostriches
- Live emus
- Live pheasants
- Live parrots
- Live monkeys
- Live chimpanzees
- Live chinchillas
- Live ferrets
- Live hedgehogs
- Live scorpions
- Live tarantulas
- Live bees
- Live silkworms
- Zoo giraffes
- Zoo kangaroos
- Falcons for falconry
- Exotic birds
- Domesticated mink.
- Examples
1. Exotic pet stores in the United States regularly import pet ball pythons and bearded dragons from specialized breeders in West Africa and Southeast Asia, respectively, via air cargo, requiring CITES permits and health checks. 2. Research institutions in Germany frequently import genetically modified laboratory mice and rats from breeding facilities in the USA, transported under strict biosafety conditions via temperature-controlled air freight. 3. High-value ornamental koi carp are exported from Japan to aquariums and private collectors worldwide, including the UK and Australia, often requiring specialized oxygenated containers and air transport to ensure the fish arrive alive and healthy. 4. Zoological parks facilitate the exchange of endangered species, such as a pair of red pandas from a zoo in China to a European zoo for a breeding program, involving complex logistical arrangements and international veterinary oversight.
Subheadings under 01.06 13
Codes often confused with 01.06
Common mistake. A common mistake is classifying live animals that specifically belong to headings 0101 (equine), 0102 (bovine), 0103 (swine), 0104 (sheep/goats), or 0105 (domestic poultry) under 0106. For instance, a live horse for breeding should be 0101, not 0106. Another error involves live fish: if the fish are intended for human consumption, they fall under Chapter 03, not 0106, even if alive. Misclassifying can lead to incorrect tariffs, penalties, and non-compliance with species-specific import/export regulations, particularly CITES for endangered species, and varying health certifications.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 0106, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 0106 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 20% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Netherlands $241M 13% of world exports
- 2 Cambodia* ~$230M 12% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Vietnam* ~$156M 8.1% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $369M 20% of world imports
- 2 China $181M 9.7% of world imports
- 3 Canada $149M 8.0% of world imports
World total: $1.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Questions about HS 01.06
What is HS code 0106?
HS code 0106 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Animals; live, n.e.c. in chapter 01. Heading 0106 encompasses live animals not elsewhere specified or included in Chapter 01, serving as a critical 'catch-all' for a diverse range of living creatures in international trade. This classification covers everything from exotic pets and zoo animals to laboratory specimens, certain game birds (like ostriches or emus) not falling under poultry of heading 0105, and even insects, reptiles, amphibians, and live fish primarily for ornamental or non-food purposes. The scope is defined by exclusion; if an animal is specifically mentioned in headings 0101 through 0105 (e.g., horses, bovine animals, swine, sheep/goats, domestic poultry), it falls there. Otherwise, it defaults to 0106. Key sub-categories often include mammals (like monkeys, chinchillas), birds (falcons, parrots), reptiles (snakes, lizards), amphibians (frogs), and invertebrates (bees, silkworms). This classification is paramount for trade compliance due to strict international regulations, particularly CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), which governs the trade of many species under this heading. Proper classification ensures adherence to import/export permits, health certificates, and quarantine requirements, which vary significantly by species and country. Historically, the trade of live animals has been significant for zoos, scientific research, and the burgeoning pet industry, requiring meticulous attention to animal welfare and biosecurity to prevent disease transmission and protect biodiversity. This heading completes Chapter 01, ensuring all live animals are classified.
What products fall under HS code 0106?
Live ornamental fish, laboratory mice, laboratory rats, pet snakes, pet lizards, pet turtles, pet frogs, live ostriches, live emus, live pheasants, live parrots, live monkeys, live chimpanzees, live chinchillas, live ferrets, live hedgehogs, live scorpions, live tarantulas, live bees, live silkworms, zoo giraffes, zoo kangaroos, falcons for falconry, exotic birds, domesticated mink.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 0106?
A common mistake is classifying live animals that specifically belong to headings 0101 (equine), 0102 (bovine), 0103 (swine), 0104 (sheep/goats), or 0105 (domestic poultry) under 0106. For instance, a live horse for breeding should be 0101, not 0106. Another error involves live fish: if the fish are intended for human consumption, they fall under Chapter 03, not 0106, even if alive. Misclassifying can lead to incorrect tariffs, penalties, and non-compliance with species-specific import/export regulations, particularly CITES for endangered species, and varying health certifications.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 0106?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 0106 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($241M, 13% of world exports), Cambodia (about $230M) and Vietnam (about $156M). World exports came to about $1.9B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 0106?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 0106 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($369M, 20% of world imports), China ($181M) and Canada ($149M). World imports came to about $1.9B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 0106 structured?
HS code 0106 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 01 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (01) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (06) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.