HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0306.33 – Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, crabs, whether in shell or not

HS code 0306.33 is the 6-digit subheading for crustaceans, live, fresh or chilled, crabs, whether in shell or not. It is used for live Alaskan king crab, fresh Dungeness crab, chilled blue crab, live snow crab and fresh mud crab.

What HS 0306.33 covers

This code covers live, fresh, or chilled crabs of all varieties, whether in shell or not. This is a highly diverse category, encompassing a wide range of species from king crabs and snow crabs to blue crabs and Dungeness crabs. The trade in live and fresh crabs is driven by consumer demand for premium, high-quality seafood, particularly in Asian markets where live crabs are a culinary delicacy. Logistics for live crab transport are complex, requiring careful handling, temperature control, and rapid delivery to maintain viability and freshness. Major importers include countries with strong seafood cultures and high purchasing power, such as China, South Korea, and Japan. Exporters are typically countries with significant crab fisheries, including Russia, Canada, the United States, and various Southeast Asian nations. Sustainability of wild-caught stocks and stringent health certifications are paramount in this dynamic global trade.

Covers
  • Live Alaskan king crab
  • Fresh Dungeness crab
  • Chilled blue crab
  • Live snow crab
  • Fresh mud crab
  • Live peekytoe crab
Examples
  • Alaskan King Crab Co.
  • Joe's Crab Shack (for sourcing)
  • Maryland Blue Crab
  • Pacific Seafood
  • Red Lobster (for sourcing)

Codes often confused with 0306.33

Common mistake. Can be confused with 030614 (frozen crabs) if the product is processed and frozen, or with 030639 (other live, fresh, or chilled crustaceans) if the specific crab species is not clearly identified.

0306.14Crustaceans; frozen, crabs, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water0306.39Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, n.e.c. in item no. 0306.3, in shell or not

Top exporters and importers of HS code 030633, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030633 in UN Comtrade data was Russia, with about 58% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 70% 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 Russia* ~$1.5B
  2. 2 Vietnam* ~$161M
  3. 3 Indonesia $120M

World total: $2.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $1.9B
  2. 2 South Korea $318M
  3. 3 Hong Kong $70M

World total: $2.7B 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 0306.33

Brazil does not split HS 0306.33: its NCM code is 0306.33.00.

  1. 0306.33.00 Live, fresh or chilled crabsCaranguejos

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 0306.33

What is HS code 030633?

HS code 030633 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, crabs, whether in shell or not. This code covers live, fresh, or chilled crabs of all varieties, whether in shell or not. This is a highly diverse category, encompassing a wide range of species from king crabs and snow crabs to blue crabs and Dungeness crabs. The trade in live and fresh crabs is driven by consumer demand for premium, high-quality seafood, particularly in Asian markets where live crabs are a culinary delicacy. Logistics for live crab transport are complex, requiring careful handling, temperature control, and rapid delivery to maintain viability and freshness. Major importers include countries with strong seafood cultures and high purchasing power, such as China, South Korea, and Japan. Exporters are typically countries with significant crab fisheries, including Russia, Canada, the United States, and various Southeast Asian nations. Sustainability of wild-caught stocks and stringent health certifications are paramount in this dynamic global trade.

What products fall under HS code 030633?

Live Alaskan king crab, fresh Dungeness crab, chilled blue crab, live snow crab, fresh mud crab, live peekytoe crab

What are common misclassifications for HS code 030633?

Can be confused with 030614 (frozen crabs) if the product is processed and frozen, or with 030639 (other live, fresh, or chilled crustaceans) if the specific crab species is not clearly identified.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030633?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030633 in UN Comtrade data were Russia (about $1.5B, 58% of world exports), Vietnam (about $161M) and Indonesia ($120M). World exports came to about $2.5B, 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 030633?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030633 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.9B, 70% of world imports), South Korea ($318M) and Hong Kong ($70M). World imports came to about $2.7B, 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 030633 structured?

HS code 030633 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 (33) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030633?

In Brazil, HS code 030633 is NCM 0306.33.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.