HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0308.11 – Aquatic invertebrates; sea cucumbers (Stichopus japonicus, Holothuroidea), live, fresh or chilled
HS code 0308.11 is the 6-digit subheading for aquatic invertebrates, sea cucumbers (Stichopus japonicus, Holothuroidea), live, fresh or chilled. It is used for live sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus), fresh sandfish sea cucumber, chilled curryfish sea cucumber, live prickly redfish and fresh white teatfish.
What HS 0308.11 covers
This HS code specifically covers live, fresh, or chilled sea cucumbers, particularly the highly prized Stichopus japonicus species and other Holothuroidea. These marine invertebrates are considered a delicacy, especially in East Asian cuisine and traditional medicine, leading to significant international trade. The demand for live or fresh forms indicates a market willing to pay a premium for quality and freshness, requiring sophisticated logistics for rapid transport and temperature control to maintain their delicate state. This trade often involves specialized air freight and cold chain management. Importers are predominantly East Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, and Japan, where sea cucumbers are a culinary staple and a symbol of luxury. Exporters are nations with suitable marine environments and sustainable harvesting or aquaculture practices, including Australia, Indonesia, and various Pacific Island nations, which supply these high-value products.
- Covers
- Live sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus)
- Fresh sandfish sea cucumber
- Chilled curryfish sea cucumber
- Live prickly redfish
- Fresh white teatfish
- Chilled black teatfish.
- Examples
- Japanese Sea Cucumber (Namako)
- California Sea Cucumber
- Australian Sandfish
- Chinese Stichopus japonicus.
Codes often confused with 0308.11
Common mistake. This code is for live, fresh, or chilled sea cucumbers; misclassification can occur with 030812 (frozen sea cucumbers) or 030819 (dried, salted, etc. sea cucumbers) if the preservation state is not clearly defined.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030811, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030811 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 56% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 31% 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 China $3.8M 56% of world exports
- 2 Canada $1.5M 21% of world exports
- 3 United States $361K 5.3% of world exports
World total: $6.8M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 South Korea $2.6M 31% of world imports
- 2 Greece $1.9M 23% of world imports
- 3 United States $1.5M 18% of world imports
World total: $8.4M 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 0308.11
Brazil does not split HS 0308.11: its NCM code is 0308.11.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 03.08 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0308.11
What is HS code 030811?
HS code 030811 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Aquatic invertebrates; sea cucumbers (Stichopus japonicus, Holothuroidea), live, fresh or chilled. This HS code specifically covers live, fresh, or chilled sea cucumbers, particularly the highly prized Stichopus japonicus species and other Holothuroidea. These marine invertebrates are considered a delicacy, especially in East Asian cuisine and traditional medicine, leading to significant international trade. The demand for live or fresh forms indicates a market willing to pay a premium for quality and freshness, requiring sophisticated logistics for rapid transport and temperature control to maintain their delicate state. This trade often involves specialized air freight and cold chain management. Importers are predominantly East Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, and Japan, where sea cucumbers are a culinary staple and a symbol of luxury. Exporters are nations with suitable marine environments and sustainable harvesting or aquaculture practices, including Australia, Indonesia, and various Pacific Island nations, which supply these high-value products.
What products fall under HS code 030811?
Live sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus), fresh sandfish sea cucumber, chilled curryfish sea cucumber, live prickly redfish, fresh white teatfish, chilled black teatfish.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030811?
This code is for live, fresh, or chilled sea cucumbers; misclassification can occur with 030812 (frozen sea cucumbers) or 030819 (dried, salted, etc. sea cucumbers) if the preservation state is not clearly defined.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030811?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030811 in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.8M, 56% of world exports), Canada ($1.5M) and the United States ($361K). World exports came to about $6.8M, 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 030811?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030811 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($2.6M, 31% of world imports), Greece ($1.9M) and the United States ($1.5M). World imports came to about $8.4M, 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 030811 structured?
HS code 030811 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (03) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) 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 030811?
In Brazil, HS code 030811 is NCM 0308.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.