About HS Code 020840
This HS code covers fresh, chilled, or frozen meat and edible offal from marine mammals, specifically whales, dolphins, porpoises (Cetacea), manatees, dugongs (Sirenia), and seals, sea lions, walruses (Pinnipedia). International trade in these products is highly restricted and controversial due to global conservation efforts, international treaties like CITES, and strong public opposition to the hunting of these animals. While some indigenous communities in specific regions have traditional hunting rights, commercial trade is largely prohibited or severely limited. Any legal trade is typically small-scale, highly regulated, and often for local consumption or specific cultural purposes. Importers and exporters are few, operating under strict permits, making this a niche and ethically charged category that is closely monitored by environmental and wildlife protection agencies.
Products Under This Code
Whale meat cuts, seal meat, dolphin fillets, walrus blubber, porpoise offal, manatee meat, sea lion steaks.
Real World Examples
Icelandic Hvalur hf (whale meat), Greenlandic seal products, Faroese whale meat, Canadian seal meat.
Common Misclassification
This code is very specific to marine mammals. It should not be confused with other aquatic products like fish (Chapter 3) or other exotic meats under 020890, as these marine mammals have distinct biological and legal classifications.
Industry
This code belongs to the Agriculture & Live Animals industry.
Trade Overview
Legal trade is extremely limited, primarily involving countries like Iceland, Norway, Japan (for whale meat), and Canada (for seal products), with very few importing nations due to international bans and ethical concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 020840?
HS code 020840 covers: Meat and edible meat offal; of whales, dolphins and porpoises (mammals of the order Cetacea); of manatees and dugongs (mammals of the order Sirenia); of seals, sea lions and walruses (mammals of the suborder Pinnipedia), fresh, chilled or frozen. This HS code covers fresh, chilled, or frozen meat and edible offal from marine mammals, specifically whales, dolphins, porpoises (Cetacea), manatees, dugongs (Sirenia), and seals, sea lions, walruses (Pinnipedia). International trade in these products is highly restricted and controversial due to global conservation efforts, international treaties like CITES, and strong public opposition to the hunting of these animals. While some indigenous communities in specific regions have traditional hunting rights, commercial trade is largely prohibited or severely limited. Any legal trade is typically small-scale, highly regulated, and often for local consumption or specific cultural purposes. Importers and exporters are few, operating under strict permits, making this a niche and ethically charged category that is closely monitored by environmental and wildlife protection agencies.
What products fall under HS code 020840?
Whale meat cuts, seal meat, dolphin fillets, walrus blubber, porpoise offal, manatee meat, sea lion steaks.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 020840?
This code is very specific to marine mammals. It should not be confused with other aquatic products like fish (Chapter 3) or other exotic meats under 020890, as these marine mammals have distinct biological and legal classifications.
How is HS code 020840 structured?
HS code 020840 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (02) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.