HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0306.31 – Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), in shell or not

HS code 0306.31 is the 6-digit subheading for crustaceans, live, fresh or chilled, rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), in shell or not. It is used for live Australian rock lobster, fresh Caribbean spiny lobster, chilled New Zealand crayfish, live European spiny lobster and fresh South African rock lobster.

What HS 0306.31 covers

This HS code specifically covers live, fresh, or chilled rock lobsters and other sea crawfish, encompassing species from genera like Palinurus, Panulirus, and Jasus. These are highly prized luxury seafood items, often traded live to maintain peak freshness and command premium prices in high-end restaurants and gourmet markets globally. The trade is characterized by stringent logistics, requiring rapid transport and specialized handling to ensure the crustaceans arrive alive and in optimal condition. Major importers are typically affluent markets with strong demand for live seafood, such as China, Hong Kong, and parts of Europe. Exporters are countries with significant rock lobster fisheries, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and various Caribbean nations. Sustainability of wild-caught stocks and strict import/export regulations are crucial for this high-value trade.

Covers
  • Live Australian rock lobster
  • Fresh Caribbean spiny lobster
  • Chilled New Zealand crayfish
  • Live European spiny lobster
  • Fresh South African rock lobster
  • Live ornate spiny lobster
Examples
  • Western Rock Lobster Council (Australia)
  • Clearwater Seafoods
  • various high-end seafood distributors
  • Whole Foods Market
  • Luke's Lobster

Codes often confused with 0306.31

Common mistake. Can be confused with 030632 (live, fresh, or chilled true lobsters, Homarus spp.) due to similar appearance, but the species are distinct. Also, 030611 covers frozen rock lobsters.

0306.32Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, lobsters (Homarus spp.), whether in shell or not0306.11Crustaceans; 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

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030631, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030631 in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 46% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 88% 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. 1 Vietnam* ~$768M
  2. 2 Australia $482M
  3. 3 New Zealand $169M

World total: $1.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $1.5B
  2. 2 Vietnam* ~$57M
  3. 3 Hong Kong $47M

World total: $1.7B 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 code for 0306.31

Brazil does not split HS 0306.31: its NCM code is 0306.31.00.

  1. 0306.31.00 Live, fresh or chilled rock lobstersLagostas (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.)

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 0306.31

What is HS code 030631?

HS code 030631 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), in shell or not. This HS code specifically covers live, fresh, or chilled rock lobsters and other sea crawfish, encompassing species from genera like Palinurus, Panulirus, and Jasus. These are highly prized luxury seafood items, often traded live to maintain peak freshness and command premium prices in high-end restaurants and gourmet markets globally. The trade is characterized by stringent logistics, requiring rapid transport and specialized handling to ensure the crustaceans arrive alive and in optimal condition. Major importers are typically affluent markets with strong demand for live seafood, such as China, Hong Kong, and parts of Europe. Exporters are countries with significant rock lobster fisheries, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and various Caribbean nations. Sustainability of wild-caught stocks and strict import/export regulations are crucial for this high-value trade.

What products fall under HS code 030631?

Live Australian rock lobster, fresh Caribbean spiny lobster, chilled New Zealand crayfish, live European spiny lobster, fresh South African rock lobster, live ornate spiny lobster

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030631?

Can be confused with 030632 (live, fresh, or chilled true lobsters, Homarus spp.) due to similar appearance, but the species are distinct. Also, 030611 covers frozen rock lobsters.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030631?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030631 in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $768M, 46% of world exports), Australia ($482M) and New Zealand ($169M). World exports came to about $1.7B, 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 030631?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030631 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.5B, 88% of world imports), Vietnam (about $57M) and Hong Kong ($47M). World imports came to about $1.7B, 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 030631 structured?

HS code 030631 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 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030631?

In Brazil, HS code 030631 is NCM 0306.31.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.