HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 1605.10 – Crustacean preparations; crab, prepared or preserved

HS code 1605.10 is the 6-digit subheading for crustacean preparations, crab, prepared or preserved. It is used for canned crab meat, frozen crab claws, pasteurized crab meat, crab cakes and crab paste.

What HS 1605.10 covers

HS code 160510 covers crab that has been prepared or preserved, encompassing a wide range of products from canned crab meat to frozen crab cakes. This category is a significant part of the global seafood trade, driven by high consumer demand for crab in various culinary applications. Major importers include countries with a strong appetite for seafood and developed food service industries, such as the United States, Japan, and several European nations. Exporters are typically countries with abundant crab fisheries and advanced processing capabilities, like Canada, Russia, and Indonesia. Key considerations in this trade include the species of crab (e.g., blue crab, snow crab, Dungeness crab, king crab), the form of preservation (canned, frozen, pasteurized), and the importance of sustainable harvesting practices and quality control. The convenience and versatility of prepared crab products make them highly sought after in both retail and restaurant sectors.

Covers
  • Canned crab meat
  • Frozen crab claws
  • Pasteurized crab meat
  • Crab cakes
  • Crab paste
  • Imitation crab meat (surimi-based)
  • Seasoned crab legs
Examples
  • Phillips Crab Meat
  • Chicken of the Sea Crab
  • Bumble Bee Crab
  • Blue Star Crab Meat
  • Handy Seafood Crab Cakes
  • Pacific Seafood Crab

Codes often confused with 1605.10

Common mistake. This code is distinct from live, fresh, chilled, or frozen crab (0306.14, 0306.33, 0306.93), which are unprocessed. It should also not be confused with other prepared crustaceans like shrimp (1605.2x).

0306.14Crustaceans; frozen, crabs, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water0306.33Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, crabs, whether in shell or not0306.93Crustaceans; crabs, smoked, cooked or not, whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked before or during smoking16.05Crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, prepared or preserved

Top exporters and importers of HS code 160510, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 160510 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 71% 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 Indonesia $374M
  2. 2 China $284M
  3. 3 Vietnam* ~$136M

World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $761M
  2. 2 Japan $117M
  3. 3 France $25M

World total: $1.1B 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 1605.10

Brazil does not split HS 1605.10: its NCM code is 1605.10.00.

  1. 1605.10.00 Prepared or preserved crabCaranguejos

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 16.05 →

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

Questions about HS 1605.10

What is HS code 160510?

HS code 160510 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Crustacean preparations; crab, prepared or preserved. HS code 160510 covers crab that has been prepared or preserved, encompassing a wide range of products from canned crab meat to frozen crab cakes. This category is a significant part of the global seafood trade, driven by high consumer demand for crab in various culinary applications. Major importers include countries with a strong appetite for seafood and developed food service industries, such as the United States, Japan, and several European nations. Exporters are typically countries with abundant crab fisheries and advanced processing capabilities, like Canada, Russia, and Indonesia. Key considerations in this trade include the species of crab (e.g., blue crab, snow crab, Dungeness crab, king crab), the form of preservation (canned, frozen, pasteurized), and the importance of sustainable harvesting practices and quality control. The convenience and versatility of prepared crab products make them highly sought after in both retail and restaurant sectors.

What products fall under HS code 160510?

Canned crab meat, frozen crab claws, pasteurized crab meat, crab cakes, crab paste, imitation crab meat (surimi-based), seasoned crab legs

What are common misclassifications for HS code 160510?

This code is distinct from live, fresh, chilled, or frozen crab (0306.14, 0306.33, 0306.93), which are unprocessed. It should also not be confused with other prepared crustaceans like shrimp (1605.2x).

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 160510?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 160510 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($374M, 32% of world exports), China ($284M) and Vietnam (about $136M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 160510?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 160510 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($761M, 71% of world imports), Japan ($117M) and France ($25M). World imports came to about $1.1B, 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 160510 structured?

HS code 160510 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (16) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 160510?

In Brazil, HS code 160510 is NCM 1605.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.