HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0308.12 – Aquatic invertebrates; sea cucumbers (Stichopus japonicus, Holothuroidea), frozen
HS code 0308.12 is the 6-digit subheading for aquatic invertebrates, sea cucumbers (Stichopus japonicus, Holothuroidea), frozen. It is used for frozen sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus), frozen sandfish, frozen curryfish, frozen prickly redfish and frozen white teatfish.
What HS 0308.12 covers
This category covers frozen sea cucumbers, including Stichopus japonicus and other Holothuroidea species. Freezing is a vital method for preserving sea cucumbers, allowing for their global distribution and extending their shelf life significantly compared to live or fresh forms. This makes them accessible to a wider market, particularly in regions where fresh supply is limited or seasonal, and helps stabilize prices. The trade involves large-scale processing, packaging, and robust cold chain logistics to maintain product integrity and quality during transit. Frozen sea cucumbers cater to both retail and food service sectors, offering convenience and year-round availability. Importers are mainly East Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, and South Korea, where sea cucumbers are a culinary staple and a valuable ingredient. Exporters are nations with robust sea cucumber fisheries or aquaculture operations, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Australia, which have invested in freezing infrastructure.
- Covers
- Frozen sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus)
- Frozen sandfish
- Frozen curryfish
- Frozen prickly redfish
- Frozen white teatfish
- Frozen black teatfish
- Frozen golden sandfish.
- Examples
- Frozen Japanese Sea Cucumber
- Frozen Australian Sandfish
- Frozen Indonesian Sea Cucumber
- Frozen Pacific Sea Cucumber.
Codes often confused with 0308.12
Common mistake. This code is for frozen sea cucumbers; misclassification can occur with 030811 (live, fresh, chilled sea cucumbers) or 030819 (dried, salted, etc. sea cucumbers) if the preservation state is not clearly defined.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030812, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030812 in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 29% 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 $17M 34% of world exports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$12M 23% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 China $4.2M 8.5% of world exports
World total: $50M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $14M 29% of world imports
- 2 Saudi Arabia $13M 28% of world imports
- 3 Hong Kong $12M 26% of world imports
World total: $47M 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 0308.12
Brazil does not split HS 0308.12: its NCM code is 0308.12.00.
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 0308.12
What is HS code 030812?
HS code 030812 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Aquatic invertebrates; sea cucumbers (Stichopus japonicus, Holothuroidea), frozen. This category covers frozen sea cucumbers, including Stichopus japonicus and other Holothuroidea species. Freezing is a vital method for preserving sea cucumbers, allowing for their global distribution and extending their shelf life significantly compared to live or fresh forms. This makes them accessible to a wider market, particularly in regions where fresh supply is limited or seasonal, and helps stabilize prices. The trade involves large-scale processing, packaging, and robust cold chain logistics to maintain product integrity and quality during transit. Frozen sea cucumbers cater to both retail and food service sectors, offering convenience and year-round availability. Importers are mainly East Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, and South Korea, where sea cucumbers are a culinary staple and a valuable ingredient. Exporters are nations with robust sea cucumber fisheries or aquaculture operations, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Australia, which have invested in freezing infrastructure.
What products fall under HS code 030812?
Frozen sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus), frozen sandfish, frozen curryfish, frozen prickly redfish, frozen white teatfish, frozen black teatfish, frozen golden sandfish.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030812?
This code is for frozen sea cucumbers; misclassification can occur with 030811 (live, fresh, chilled 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 030812?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030812 in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($17M, 34% of world exports), Vietnam (about $12M) and China ($4.2M). World exports came to about $50M, 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 030812?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030812 in UN Comtrade data were China ($14M, 29% of world imports), Saudi Arabia ($13M) and Hong Kong ($12M). World imports came to about $47M, 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 030812 structured?
HS code 030812 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 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030812?
In Brazil, HS code 030812 is NCM 0308.12.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.