HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0308.21 – Aquatic invertebrates; sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus), live, fresh or chilled
HS code 0308.21 is the 6-digit subheading for aquatic invertebrates, sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus), live, fresh or chilled. It is used for live red sea urchin, fresh green sea urchin, chilled purple sea urchin, live Chilean sea urchin and fresh edible sea urchin.
What HS 0308.21 covers
This category covers live, fresh, or chilled sea urchins, specifically mentioning popular species like Strongylocentrotus spp. (e.g., red and green sea urchins) and Paracentrotus lividus (purple sea urchin). Sea urchin roe, known as 'uni,' is a highly prized delicacy in gourmet cuisine, particularly in Japanese and other East Asian markets, valued for its rich, creamy texture and distinct oceanic flavor. The trade in live or fresh sea urchins demands extremely fast and careful logistics to maintain their quality and freshness, as the roe is highly perishable. This often involves specialized air freight and meticulous handling to ensure the product arrives in pristine condition. Importers are typically countries with high-end seafood markets and strong demand for uni, such as Japan, China, and South Korea. Exporters are coastal nations with abundant sea urchin populations and efficient harvesting operations, including Canada, the United States, and Chile, which supply these premium products.
- Covers
- Live red sea urchin
- Fresh green sea urchin
- Chilled purple sea urchin
- Live Chilean sea urchin
- Fresh edible sea urchin
- Chilled sea urchin roe (uni)
- Live California sea urchin.
- Examples
- Santa Barbara Red Sea Urchin
- Hokkaido Uni
- Maine Green Sea Urchin
- Chilean Loxechinus albus.
Codes often confused with 0308.21
Common mistake. This code is for live, fresh, or chilled sea urchins; misclassification can occur with 030822 (frozen sea urchins) if the preservation state is not clearly defined. Prepared sea urchin roe (e.g., in sauces or processed) might fall under Chapter 16.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030821, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030821 in UN Comtrade data was Russia, with about 43% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 47% 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 Russia* ~$95M 43% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Japan $60M 27% of world exports
- 3 Canada $15M 6.8% of world exports
World total: $218M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $108M 47% of world imports
- 2 United States $47M 20% of world imports
- 3 Hong Kong $21M 9.2% of world imports
World total: $233M 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 0308.21
Brazil does not split HS 0308.21: its NCM code is 0308.21.00.
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 0308.21
What is HS code 030821?
HS code 030821 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Aquatic invertebrates; sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus), live, fresh or chilled. This category covers live, fresh, or chilled sea urchins, specifically mentioning popular species like Strongylocentrotus spp. (e.g., red and green sea urchins) and Paracentrotus lividus (purple sea urchin). Sea urchin roe, known as 'uni,' is a highly prized delicacy in gourmet cuisine, particularly in Japanese and other East Asian markets, valued for its rich, creamy texture and distinct oceanic flavor. The trade in live or fresh sea urchins demands extremely fast and careful logistics to maintain their quality and freshness, as the roe is highly perishable. This often involves specialized air freight and meticulous handling to ensure the product arrives in pristine condition. Importers are typically countries with high-end seafood markets and strong demand for uni, such as Japan, China, and South Korea. Exporters are coastal nations with abundant sea urchin populations and efficient harvesting operations, including Canada, the United States, and Chile, which supply these premium products.
What products fall under HS code 030821?
Live red sea urchin, fresh green sea urchin, chilled purple sea urchin, live Chilean sea urchin, fresh edible sea urchin, chilled sea urchin roe (uni), live California sea urchin.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030821?
This code is for live, fresh, or chilled sea urchins; misclassification can occur with 030822 (frozen sea urchins) if the preservation state is not clearly defined. Prepared sea urchin roe (e.g., in sauces or processed) might fall under Chapter 16.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030821?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030821 in UN Comtrade data were Russia (about $95M, 43% of world exports), Japan ($60M) and Canada ($15M). World exports came to about $218M, 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 030821?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030821 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($108M, 47% of world imports), the United States ($47M) and Hong Kong ($21M). World imports came to about $233M, 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 030821 structured?
HS code 030821 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 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030821?
In Brazil, HS code 030821 is NCM 0308.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.