HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 1605.21 – Crustacean preparations; shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved, not in airtight containers

HS code 1605.21 is the 6-digit subheading for crustacean preparations, shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved, not in airtight containers. It is used for cooked peeled shrimp (chilled), frozen breaded shrimp, marinated shrimp skewers, cooked shrimp rings and frozen shrimp scampi.

What HS 1605.21 covers

This HS code covers shrimps and prawns that have been prepared or preserved, specifically when they are NOT in airtight containers. This typically includes products like cooked, peeled, and chilled shrimp, or frozen shrimp that has been breaded or marinated, intended for immediate consumption or further cooking. This category is a substantial segment of the global seafood market, catering to both retail and food service industries. Major importers include countries with high seafood consumption and developed cold chains, such as the United States, Japan, and European Union members. Exporters are often countries with large shrimp aquaculture industries or wild fisheries, like Ecuador, India, and Vietnam. Key aspects of this trade include the various forms of preparation (e.g., cooked, peeled, deveined), the importance of maintaining cold chain integrity, and adherence to food safety standards. These products offer convenience and versatility for consumers.

Covers
  • Cooked peeled shrimp (chilled)
  • Frozen breaded shrimp
  • Marinated shrimp skewers
  • Cooked shrimp rings
  • Frozen shrimp scampi
  • Seasoned shrimp (not canned)
  • Shrimp cocktail (fresh/chilled)
Examples
  • Kirkland Signature Cooked Shrimp
  • Gorton's Breaded Shrimp
  • SeaPak Shrimp Scampi
  • Trader Joe's Cooked Shrimp
  • Aqua Star Cooked Shrimp
  • Ocean Spray Shrimp

Codes often confused with 1605.21

Common mistake. This code is often confused with shrimps and prawns in airtight containers (1605.29) or fresh, chilled, or frozen unprocessed shrimps and prawns (0306.17, 0306.36, 0306.95).

1605.29Crustacean preparations; shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved, in airtight containers0306.17Crustaceans; frozen, shrimps and prawns, excluding cold-water varieties, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water0306.36Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, shrimps and prawns excluding cold-water varieties, in shell or not0306.95Crustaceans; shrimps and prawns, smoked, cooked or not, whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked before or during smoking

Top exporters and importers of HS code 160521, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 160521 in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 41% 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 Vietnam* ~$1.2B
  2. 2 Indonesia $470M
  3. 3 China $302M

World total: $3.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $1.7B
  2. 2 Japan $656M
  3. 3 United Kingdom $223M

World total: $4.1B 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 1605.21

Brazil does not split HS 1605.21: its NCM code is 1605.21.00.

  1. 1605.21.00 Prepared shrimps and prawns, not airtight-packedNão acondicionados em recipientes hermeticamente fechados

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 1605.21

What is HS code 160521?

HS code 160521 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Crustacean preparations; shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved, not in airtight containers. This HS code covers shrimps and prawns that have been prepared or preserved, specifically when they are NOT in airtight containers. This typically includes products like cooked, peeled, and chilled shrimp, or frozen shrimp that has been breaded or marinated, intended for immediate consumption or further cooking. This category is a substantial segment of the global seafood market, catering to both retail and food service industries. Major importers include countries with high seafood consumption and developed cold chains, such as the United States, Japan, and European Union members. Exporters are often countries with large shrimp aquaculture industries or wild fisheries, like Ecuador, India, and Vietnam. Key aspects of this trade include the various forms of preparation (e.g., cooked, peeled, deveined), the importance of maintaining cold chain integrity, and adherence to food safety standards. These products offer convenience and versatility for consumers.

What products fall under HS code 160521?

Cooked peeled shrimp (chilled), frozen breaded shrimp, marinated shrimp skewers, cooked shrimp rings, frozen shrimp scampi, seasoned shrimp (not canned), shrimp cocktail (fresh/chilled)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 160521?

This code is often confused with shrimps and prawns in airtight containers (1605.29) or fresh, chilled, or frozen unprocessed shrimps and prawns (0306.17, 0306.36, 0306.95).

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 160521?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 160521 in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $1.2B, 38% of world exports), Indonesia ($470M) and China ($302M). World exports came to about $3.2B, 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 160521?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 160521 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.7B, 41% of world imports), Japan ($656M) and the United Kingdom ($223M). World imports came to about $4.1B, 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 160521 structured?

HS code 160521 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 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 160521?

In Brazil, HS code 160521 is NCM 1605.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.