HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0308.29 – Aquatic invertebrates; sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus), dried, salted or in brine, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking process
HS code 0308.29 is the 6-digit subheading for aquatic invertebrates, sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus), dried, salted or in brine, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking process. It is used for dried sea urchin roe, salted sea urchin gonads, brined sea urchin paste, smoked sea urchin and frozen processed sea urchin roe.
What HS 0308.29 covers
This HS code covers sea urchins that have undergone processing such as drying, salting, brining, or smoking, whether or not they were cooked prior to or during these processes. These processed sea urchins, particularly their roe (uni), are highly valued delicacies in international trade, especially in high-end culinary markets. Major importers are typically countries with strong gastronomic traditions and affluent consumers, such as Japan, China, and parts of Europe. Exporters often include countries with significant sea urchin fisheries, like Chile, the United States, Canada, and various European nations. The trade in these preserved forms allows for longer shelf life and broader distribution compared to fresh products, making them accessible to global markets. Key considerations in this trade include food safety regulations, sustainable harvesting practices, and quality control to maintain the product's premium status.
- Covers
- Dried sea urchin roe
- Salted sea urchin gonads
- Brined sea urchin paste
- Smoked sea urchin
- Frozen processed sea urchin roe
- Sea urchin preserves
- Examples
- Santa Barbara Uni (processed)
- Hokkaido Uni (processed)
- Chilean Sea Urchin Roe (salted)
- Maine Uni (brined)
Codes often confused with 0308.29
Common mistake. This code is specifically for processed sea urchins. Fresh or chilled sea urchins would fall under 0307.81, while other processed aquatic invertebrates not specifically sea urchins would be classified under 0308.90.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 030829, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 030829 in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Liberia, with 44% 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 South Korea $915K 41% of world exports
- 2 Sierra Leone* ~$770K 34% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Australia $262K 12% of world exports
World total: $2.3M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Liberia $770K 44% of world imports
- 2 Italy $454K 26% of world imports
- 3 France $141K 8.1% of world imports
World total: $1.7M 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 0308.29
Brazil does not split HS 0308.29: its NCM code is 0308.29.00.
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 0308.29
What is HS code 030829?
HS code 030829 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Aquatic invertebrates; sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus), dried, salted or in brine, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking process. This HS code covers sea urchins that have undergone processing such as drying, salting, brining, or smoking, whether or not they were cooked prior to or during these processes. These processed sea urchins, particularly their roe (uni), are highly valued delicacies in international trade, especially in high-end culinary markets. Major importers are typically countries with strong gastronomic traditions and affluent consumers, such as Japan, China, and parts of Europe. Exporters often include countries with significant sea urchin fisheries, like Chile, the United States, Canada, and various European nations. The trade in these preserved forms allows for longer shelf life and broader distribution compared to fresh products, making them accessible to global markets. Key considerations in this trade include food safety regulations, sustainable harvesting practices, and quality control to maintain the product's premium status.
What products fall under HS code 030829?
Dried sea urchin roe, salted sea urchin gonads, brined sea urchin paste, smoked sea urchin, frozen processed sea urchin roe, sea urchin preserves
What are common misclassifications for HS code 030829?
This code is specifically for processed sea urchins. Fresh or chilled sea urchins would fall under 0307.81, while other processed aquatic invertebrates not specifically sea urchins would be classified under 0308.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 030829?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 030829 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($915K, 41% of world exports), Sierra Leone (about $770K) and Australia ($262K). World exports came to about $2.3M, 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 030829?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 030829 in UN Comtrade data were Liberia ($770K, 44% of world imports), Italy ($454K) and France ($141K). World imports came to about $1.7M, 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 030829 structured?
HS code 030829 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 (29) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 030829?
In Brazil, HS code 030829 is NCM 0308.29.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.