HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0306.12 – Crustaceans; frozen, lobsters (Homarus 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 0306.12 is the 6-digit subheading for crustaceans, frozen, lobsters (Homarus 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 whole American lobster, frozen Canadian lobster tails, frozen European lobster claws, frozen lobster meat and frozen cooked lobster.
What HS 0306.12 covers
This HS code specifically addresses the international trade of frozen true lobsters (Homarus spp.), which include the highly sought-after American and European lobsters. These are premium seafood products, celebrated for their rich, sweet flavor and tender meat, making them a cornerstone of fine dining and upscale retail globally. Freezing is the primary method of preservation, crucial for maintaining quality and facilitating international transport from the cold waters where they are harvested. Major importers are countries with high disposable income and a strong demand for luxury seafood, such as the United States, China, and European Union nations. Exporters are predominantly North American and European countries with established lobster fisheries, like Canada and the United States, which have robust supply chains for these valuable crustaceans.
- Covers
- Frozen whole American lobster
- Frozen Canadian lobster tails
- Frozen European lobster claws
- Frozen lobster meat
- Frozen cooked lobster
- Frozen lobster knuckles.
- Examples
- Maine Lobster
- Canadian Atlantic Lobster
- Brittany Lobster
- Norwegian Lobster.
Codes often confused with 0306.12
Common mistake. Often confused with live/fresh/chilled lobsters (030632) or prepared/preserved lobsters (160530) if the 'frozen' and 'not prepared beyond simple cooking/smoking' criteria are not strictly applied.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030612, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030612 in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 79% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 63% 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 Canada $876M 79% of world exports
- 2 United States $68M 6.1% of world exports
- 3 Egypt $42M 3.7% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $643M 63% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $45M 4.4% of world imports
- 3 Spain $45M 4.4% of world imports
World total: $1.0B 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 code for 0306.12
Brazil does not split HS 0306.12: its NCM code is 0306.12.00.
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 0306.12
What is HS code 030612?
HS code 030612 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Crustaceans; frozen, lobsters (Homarus 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 specifically addresses the international trade of frozen true lobsters (Homarus spp.), which include the highly sought-after American and European lobsters. These are premium seafood products, celebrated for their rich, sweet flavor and tender meat, making them a cornerstone of fine dining and upscale retail globally. Freezing is the primary method of preservation, crucial for maintaining quality and facilitating international transport from the cold waters where they are harvested. Major importers are countries with high disposable income and a strong demand for luxury seafood, such as the United States, China, and European Union nations. Exporters are predominantly North American and European countries with established lobster fisheries, like Canada and the United States, which have robust supply chains for these valuable crustaceans.
What products fall under HS code 030612?
Frozen whole American lobster, frozen Canadian lobster tails, frozen European lobster claws, frozen lobster meat, frozen cooked lobster, frozen lobster knuckles.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030612?
Often confused with live/fresh/chilled lobsters (030632) or prepared/preserved lobsters (160530) if the 'frozen' and 'not prepared beyond simple cooking/smoking' criteria are not strictly applied.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030612?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030612 in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($876M, 79% of world exports), the United States ($68M) and Egypt ($42M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 030612?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030612 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($643M, 63% of world imports), South Korea ($45M) and Spain ($45M). World imports came to about $1.0B, 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 030612 structured?
HS code 030612 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 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030612?
In Brazil, HS code 030612 is NCM 0306.12.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.