HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 1605.30 – Crustacean preparations; lobster, prepared or preserved

HS code 1605.30 is the 6-digit subheading for crustacean preparations, lobster, prepared or preserved. It is used for canned lobster meat, frozen lobster tails, lobster bisque, smoked lobster and lobster paste.

What HS 1605.30 covers

This HS code encompasses lobster that has undergone various preparation or preservation methods, moving beyond simple fresh or chilled states. This includes products like canned lobster meat, frozen lobster tails, lobster bisque, or smoked lobster. International trade in these goods is significant, driven by global demand for luxury seafood in both retail and high-end foodservice sectors. Major importers are typically high-income countries such as the United States, France, and Japan, where lobster is a culinary delicacy. Exporters often include countries with robust lobster fisheries and advanced processing capabilities, like Canada and the United States. Key aspects of this trade involve maintaining product quality, adhering to strict food safety regulations, and ensuring sustainable sourcing practices to meet consumer expectations for premium seafood.

Covers
  • Canned lobster meat
  • Frozen lobster tails
  • Lobster bisque
  • Smoked lobster
  • Lobster paste
  • Lobster thermidor kits
  • Whole cooked frozen lobster
Examples
  • Clearwater Seafoods Lobster
  • Maine Lobster Now
  • Luke's Lobster
  • Boston Lobster Feast

Codes often confused with 1605.30

Common mistake. This code can be confused with fresh or chilled lobster (030611) if the 'prepared or preserved' aspect is not clearly defined, or with other prepared crustaceans (160540) if the specific lobster identification is overlooked.

0306.11Crustaceans; frozen, rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water1605.40Crustacean preparations; other than crab, shrimps, prawns, and lobsters, prepared or preserved

Top exporters and importers of HS code 160530, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 160530 in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 93% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 89% 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 Canada $464M
  2. 2 United States $11M
  3. 3 Ireland $10M

World total: $499M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $439M
  2. 2 Hong Kong $11M
  3. 3 United Kingdom $8.1M

World total: $494M 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 1605.30

Brazil does not split HS 1605.30: its NCM code is 1605.30.00.

  1. 1605.30.00 Prepared or preserved lobsterLavagantes

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 1605.30

What is HS code 160530?

HS code 160530 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Crustacean preparations; lobster, prepared or preserved. This HS code encompasses lobster that has undergone various preparation or preservation methods, moving beyond simple fresh or chilled states. This includes products like canned lobster meat, frozen lobster tails, lobster bisque, or smoked lobster. International trade in these goods is significant, driven by global demand for luxury seafood in both retail and high-end foodservice sectors. Major importers are typically high-income countries such as the United States, France, and Japan, where lobster is a culinary delicacy. Exporters often include countries with robust lobster fisheries and advanced processing capabilities, like Canada and the United States. Key aspects of this trade involve maintaining product quality, adhering to strict food safety regulations, and ensuring sustainable sourcing practices to meet consumer expectations for premium seafood.

What products fall under HS code 160530?

Canned lobster meat, frozen lobster tails, lobster bisque, smoked lobster, lobster paste, lobster thermidor kits, whole cooked frozen lobster

What are common misclassifications for HS code 160530?

This code can be confused with fresh or chilled lobster (030611) if the 'prepared or preserved' aspect is not clearly defined, or with other prepared crustaceans (160540) if the specific lobster identification is overlooked.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 160530?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 160530 in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($464M, 93% of world exports), the United States ($11M) and Ireland ($10M). World exports came to about $499M, 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 160530?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 160530 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($439M, 89% of world imports), Hong Kong ($11M) and the United Kingdom ($8.1M). World imports came to about $494M, 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 160530 structured?

HS code 160530 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 (30) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 160530?

In Brazil, HS code 160530 is NCM 1605.30.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.