HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0307.42 – Molluscs; cuttle fish and squid, whether in shell or not, live, fresh or chilled
HS code 0307.42 is the 6-digit subheading for molluscs, cuttle fish and squid, whether in shell or not, live, fresh or chilled. It is used for live squid, fresh cuttlefish, chilled calamari, fresh baby squid and chilled whole cuttlefish.
What HS 0307.42 covers
This category encompasses live, fresh, or chilled cuttlefish and squid, highly sought after in global markets for their culinary versatility and delicate texture. These products are primarily traded for immediate consumption in high-end restaurants, seafood markets, and retail, particularly in regions with strong seafood culinary traditions. Major importers include countries like Japan, Italy, Spain, and the USA, where fresh cephalopods are a staple. Exporters typically originate from nations with significant coastal fisheries, such as Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and various Southeast Asian countries. Key considerations in this trade involve maintaining a strict cold chain to ensure freshness, adhering to stringent food safety and hygiene regulations, and managing sustainable fishing practices to prevent overexploitation of wild stocks.
- Covers
- Live squid
- Fresh cuttlefish
- Chilled calamari
- Fresh baby squid
- Chilled whole cuttlefish
- Fresh cleaned squid tubes
- Chilled ink sacs
- Examples
- Monterey Bay Squid
- Patagonian Squid
- Spanish Cuttlefish
- Japanese Flying Squid
Codes often confused with 0307.42
Common mistake. Can be confused with 030743 (frozen cuttlefish/squid) or 030749 (dried/salted cuttlefish/squid) if the 'live, fresh or chilled' state is not clearly defined. The key is the unprocessed, ready-for-immediate-consumption state.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030742, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030742 in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 35% 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 Spain $102M 26% of world exports
- 2 France $90M 23% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $30M 7.6% of world exports
World total: $387M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $137M 35% of world imports
- 2 Spain $80M 20% of world imports
- 3 France $34M 8.6% of world imports
World total: $397M 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 0307.42
Brazil does not split HS 0307.42: its NCM code is 0307.42.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 03.07 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0307.42
What is HS code 030742?
HS code 030742 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Molluscs; cuttle fish and squid, whether in shell or not, live, fresh or chilled. This category encompasses live, fresh, or chilled cuttlefish and squid, highly sought after in global markets for their culinary versatility and delicate texture. These products are primarily traded for immediate consumption in high-end restaurants, seafood markets, and retail, particularly in regions with strong seafood culinary traditions. Major importers include countries like Japan, Italy, Spain, and the USA, where fresh cephalopods are a staple. Exporters typically originate from nations with significant coastal fisheries, such as Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and various Southeast Asian countries. Key considerations in this trade involve maintaining a strict cold chain to ensure freshness, adhering to stringent food safety and hygiene regulations, and managing sustainable fishing practices to prevent overexploitation of wild stocks.
What products fall under HS code 030742?
Live squid, fresh cuttlefish, chilled calamari, fresh baby squid, chilled whole cuttlefish, fresh cleaned squid tubes, chilled ink sacs
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030742?
Can be confused with 030743 (frozen cuttlefish/squid) or 030749 (dried/salted cuttlefish/squid) if the 'live, fresh or chilled' state is not clearly defined. The key is the unprocessed, ready-for-immediate-consumption state.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030742?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030742 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($102M, 26% of world exports), France ($90M) and the Netherlands ($30M). World exports came to about $387M, 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 030742?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030742 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($137M, 35% of world imports), Spain ($80M) and France ($34M). World imports came to about $397M, 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 030742 structured?
HS code 030742 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (03) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (07) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (42) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030742?
In Brazil, HS code 030742 is NCM 0307.42.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.