HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1605.58 – Mollusc preparations; snails, other than sea snails, prepared or preserved
HS code 1605.58 is the 6-digit subheading for mollusc preparations, snails, other than sea snails, prepared or preserved. It is used for canned escargots in garlic butter, frozen escargots, marinated snails, snail pate and snail shells (for serving).
What HS 1605.58 covers
This category includes land snails (escargots) that have been prepared or preserved, typically through canning, freezing, or marinating. These products are a culinary delicacy, especially in European cuisines, and are often served as appetizers in fine dining. International trade in prepared snails is driven by niche gourmet markets and the demand from restaurants and specialty food stores. Importers are primarily countries with a strong tradition of consuming escargots, such as France, Belgium, and the United States. Exporters often have established snail farms (heliciculture) and processing facilities, like those in Poland and Turkey. Key considerations in this trade include ensuring the snails are properly purged and prepared, adhering to food safety standards, and maintaining consistent quality for this specialized product.
- Covers
- Canned escargots in garlic butter
- Frozen escargots
- Marinated snails
- Snail pate
- Snail shells (for serving)
- Prepared snail appetizers
- Examples
- Roland Escargots
- Sarlat Escargots
- various French and Eastern European brands for canned/frozen snails
Codes often confused with 1605.58
Common mistake. Can be confused with sea snails (which fall under other mollusc categories or 030791 for fresh/chilled), or with other prepared molluscs (e.g., 160556 for clams) if not clearly identified as land snails.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 160558, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 160558 in UN Comtrade data was Romania, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 45% 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 Romania $26M 28% of world exports
- 2 France $16M 18% of world exports
- 3 Lithuania $12M 13% of world exports
World total: $92M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $37M 45% of world imports
- 2 Japan $10M 12% of world imports
- 3 Romania $8.5M 10% of world imports
World total: $83M 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 1605.58
Brazil does not split HS 1605.58: its NCM code is 1605.58.00.
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 1605.58
What is HS code 160558?
HS code 160558 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Mollusc preparations; snails, other than sea snails, prepared or preserved. This category includes land snails (escargots) that have been prepared or preserved, typically through canning, freezing, or marinating. These products are a culinary delicacy, especially in European cuisines, and are often served as appetizers in fine dining. International trade in prepared snails is driven by niche gourmet markets and the demand from restaurants and specialty food stores. Importers are primarily countries with a strong tradition of consuming escargots, such as France, Belgium, and the United States. Exporters often have established snail farms (heliciculture) and processing facilities, like those in Poland and Turkey. Key considerations in this trade include ensuring the snails are properly purged and prepared, adhering to food safety standards, and maintaining consistent quality for this specialized product.
What products fall under HS code 160558?
Canned escargots in garlic butter, frozen escargots, marinated snails, snail pate, snail shells (for serving), prepared snail appetizers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 160558?
Can be confused with sea snails (which fall under other mollusc categories or 030791 for fresh/chilled), or with other prepared molluscs (e.g., 160556 for clams) if not clearly identified as land snails.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 160558?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 160558 in UN Comtrade data were Romania ($26M, 28% of world exports), France ($16M) and Lithuania ($12M). World exports came to about $92M, 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 160558?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 160558 in UN Comtrade data were France ($37M, 45% of world imports), Japan ($10M) and Romania ($8.5M). World imports came to about $83M, 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 160558 structured?
HS code 160558 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 (58) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 160558?
In Brazil, HS code 160558 is NCM 1605.58.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.