HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0508.00 – Animal products; coral and similar materials, shells of molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms, cuttle-bone, unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape, powder and waste thereof

HS code 0508.00 is the 6-digit subheading for animal products, coral and similar materials, shells of molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms, cuttle-bone, unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape, powder and waste thereof. It is used for red coral (raw), mother-of-pearl shells, abalone shells, cuttle-bone and conch shells.

What HS 0508.00 covers

This HS code covers marine-derived materials such as coral and similar materials, shells of molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms, and cuttle-bone, in their unworked or simply prepared forms (not cut to shape), including powder and waste. These products are traded for diverse applications, including decorative items, jewelry making, calcium supplements, pet products, and traditional crafts. Importers include jewelry manufacturers, craft suppliers, and pharmaceutical companies. Exporters are typically coastal nations with access to these marine resources. Conservation concerns, particularly for coral and certain shell species, mean that CITES regulations and national environmental laws heavily impact trade, requiring careful documentation and permits to ensure sustainable and legal sourcing.

Covers
  • Red coral (raw)
  • Mother-of-pearl shells
  • Abalone shells
  • Cuttle-bone
  • Conch shells
  • Sea urchin shells
  • Shell powder
  • Clam shells
Examples
  • Coral jewelry (raw material)
  • pet bird cuttle-bone
  • mother-of-pearl inlays in furniture
  • shell craft supplies
  • calcium supplements from shells

Codes often confused with 0508.00

Common mistake. Can be confused with 7101-7103 (pearls, precious stones, or worked jewelry) if the items are already cut, polished, or set. This code is specifically for unworked or simply prepared materials.

71.01Pearls; natural or cultured, whether or not worked or graded but not strung, mounted or set; pearls, natural or cultured, temporarily strung for the convenience of transport71.03Precious (excluding diamond) and semi-precious stone; worked, graded, not strung, mounted, set; ungraded precious (excluding diamond) and semi-precious stone, temporarily strung for convenience of transport

Top exporters and importers of HS code 050800, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 050800 in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 22% 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. 1 Japan $30M
  2. 2 Indonesia $18M
  3. 3 Netherlands $9.2M

World total: $143M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $30M
  2. 2 France $15M
  3. 3 United States $11M

World total: $138M 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 0508.00

Brazil does not split HS 0508.00: its NCM code is 0508.00.00.

  1. 0508.00.00 Coral, shells and cuttle-bone, not cut to shapeCoral e matérias semelhantes, em bruto ou simplesmente preparados, mas não trabalhados de outro modo; conchas e carapaças de moluscos, crustáceos ou de equinodermes e ossos de sépias (chocos*) (chocos e chopos*), em bruto ou simplesmente preparados, mas não cortados em forma determinada, seus pós e desperdícios.

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 05.08 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 0508.00

What is HS code 050800?

HS code 050800 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Animal products; coral and similar materials, shells of molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms, cuttle-bone, unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape, powder and waste thereof. This HS code covers marine-derived materials such as coral and similar materials, shells of molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms, and cuttle-bone, in their unworked or simply prepared forms (not cut to shape), including powder and waste. These products are traded for diverse applications, including decorative items, jewelry making, calcium supplements, pet products, and traditional crafts. Importers include jewelry manufacturers, craft suppliers, and pharmaceutical companies. Exporters are typically coastal nations with access to these marine resources. Conservation concerns, particularly for coral and certain shell species, mean that CITES regulations and national environmental laws heavily impact trade, requiring careful documentation and permits to ensure sustainable and legal sourcing.

What products fall under HS code 050800?

Red coral (raw), mother-of-pearl shells, abalone shells, cuttle-bone, conch shells, sea urchin shells, shell powder, clam shells

What are common misclassifications for HS code 050800?

Can be confused with 7101-7103 (pearls, precious stones, or worked jewelry) if the items are already cut, polished, or set. This code is specifically for unworked or simply prepared materials.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 050800?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 050800 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($30M, 21% of world exports), Indonesia ($18M) and the Netherlands ($9.2M). World exports came to about $143M, 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 050800?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 050800 in UN Comtrade data were China ($30M, 22% of world imports), France ($15M) and the United States ($11M). World imports came to about $138M, 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 050800 structured?

HS code 050800 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (05) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 050800?

In Brazil, HS code 050800 is NCM 0508.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.