HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0306.11 – Crustaceans; frozen, rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water
HS code 0306.11 is the 6-digit subheading for crustaceans, frozen, rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking, in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water. It is used for frozen rock lobster tails, whole frozen rock lobsters, frozen spiny lobster meat, frozen slipper lobster and frozen crawfish tails.
What HS 0306.11 covers
This HS code covers the international trade of frozen rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), whether in shell or not, and whether smoked or cooked (by steaming or boiling) before or during smoking. These crustaceans are highly prized luxury seafood items, known for their firm texture and delicate flavor, making them a staple in high-end restaurants and gourmet retail markets worldwide. The freezing process is critical for preserving their quality and enabling global distribution from major fishing grounds, particularly in Australia, South Africa, and the Caribbean. Importers are typically affluent nations with strong culinary traditions and high demand for premium seafood, such as China, the United States, and Japan. The trade often emphasizes sustainable sourcing due to the high value and ecological sensitivity of these species.
- Covers
- Frozen rock lobster tails
- Whole frozen rock lobsters
- Frozen spiny lobster meat
- Frozen slipper lobster
- Frozen crawfish tails
- Frozen cooked rock lobster.
- Examples
- Australian Rock Lobster
- South African Rock Lobster
- Caribbean Spiny Lobster
- New Zealand Crayfish.
Codes often confused with 0306.11
Common mistake. Can be confused with fresh/chilled rock lobsters (030631) or prepared/preserved rock lobsters (160530) if the 'frozen' and 'not prepared beyond simple cooking/smoking' aspects are overlooked.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030611, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030611 in UN Comtrade data was the Bahamas, with about 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 44% 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 Bahamas* ~$119M 20% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Nicaragua* ~$83M 14% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Brazil $81M 14% of world exports
World total: $597M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $261M 44% of world imports
- 2 China $105M 18% of world imports
- 3 France $58M 9.8% of world imports
World total: $594M 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.
Brazil NCM codes for 0306.11 2
Brazil splits HS 0306.11 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 03.06 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0306.11
What is HS code 030611?
HS code 030611 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Crustaceans; frozen, rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water. This HS code covers the international trade of frozen rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), whether in shell or not, and whether smoked or cooked (by steaming or boiling) before or during smoking. These crustaceans are highly prized luxury seafood items, known for their firm texture and delicate flavor, making them a staple in high-end restaurants and gourmet retail markets worldwide. The freezing process is critical for preserving their quality and enabling global distribution from major fishing grounds, particularly in Australia, South Africa, and the Caribbean. Importers are typically affluent nations with strong culinary traditions and high demand for premium seafood, such as China, the United States, and Japan. The trade often emphasizes sustainable sourcing due to the high value and ecological sensitivity of these species.
What products fall under HS code 030611?
Frozen rock lobster tails, whole frozen rock lobsters, frozen spiny lobster meat, frozen slipper lobster, frozen crawfish tails, frozen cooked rock lobster.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030611?
Can be confused with fresh/chilled rock lobsters (030631) or prepared/preserved rock lobsters (160530) if the 'frozen' and 'not prepared beyond simple cooking/smoking' aspects are overlooked.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030611?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030611 in UN Comtrade data were the Bahamas (about $119M, 20% of world exports), Nicaragua (about $83M) and Brazil ($81M). World exports came to about $597M, 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 030611?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030611 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($261M, 44% of world imports), China ($105M) and France ($58M). World imports came to about $594M, 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 030611 structured?
HS code 030611 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (03) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (11) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030611?
Brazil splits HS code 030611 into 2 NCM codes: 0306.11.10 (Frozen whole rock lobsters), 0306.11.90 (Frozen rock lobsters, not whole). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.