HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 1605.59 – Mollusc preparations; n.e.c. in item no. 1605.5, preparations such as pastes, sausages, prepared meals and the like

HS code 1605.59 is the 6-digit subheading for mollusc preparations, n.e.c. in item no. 1605.5, preparations such as pastes, sausages, prepared meals and the like. It is used for canned abalone stew, frozen clam chowder base, squid ink pasta sauce, escargot in garlic butter and mussel pâté.

What HS 1605.59 covers

This HS code encompasses a diverse range of prepared or preserved mollusc products not specifically covered elsewhere in the 1605.5 subheading. It includes convenience foods, specialty items, and ready-to-eat meals where molluscs are the primary ingredient. International trade in these goods is driven by consumer demand for convenience, diverse culinary experiences, and the global reach of seafood processing industries. Major importers typically include countries with high disposable incomes, diverse culinary traditions, and robust retail and foodservice sectors, such as Japan, the USA, and various European Union nations. Exporters are often coastal countries with strong seafood harvesting and processing capabilities, like China, Spain, Peru, and Thailand. Key considerations in this trade involve food safety regulations, preservation techniques (canning, freezing, drying), and adapting products to regional taste preferences and dietary trends. The market for these prepared mollusc items is dynamic, reflecting global shifts in food consumption.

Covers
  • Canned abalone stew
  • Frozen clam chowder base
  • Squid ink pasta sauce
  • Escargot in garlic butter
  • Mussel pâté
  • Octopus salad in oil
  • Prepared scallop dishes
Examples
  • Bumble Bee Canned Clams
  • Goya Octopus in Garlic Sauce
  • Trader Joe's Escargots
  • Thai Union Group (various prepared seafood)

Codes often confused with 1605.59

Common mistake. This code can be confused with fresh or chilled molluscs (0307) or other prepared seafood (1604) if the mollusc-specific and 'prepared' nature is not clearly identified.

03.07Molluscs; whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; smoked molluscs, whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked before or during the smoking process16.04Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs

Top exporters and importers of HS code 160559, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 160559 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 27% 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 China $53M
  2. 2 United Kingdom $35M
  3. 3 Spain $19M

World total: $182M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 South Korea $52M
  2. 2 China $27M
  3. 3 France $21M

World total: $192M 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 1605.59

Brazil does not split HS 1605.59: its NCM code is 1605.59.00.

  1. 1605.59.00 Other prepared or preserved molluscsOutros

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 1605.59

What is HS code 160559?

HS code 160559 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Mollusc preparations; n.e.c. in item no. 1605.5, preparations such as pastes, sausages, prepared meals and the like. This HS code encompasses a diverse range of prepared or preserved mollusc products not specifically covered elsewhere in the 1605.5 subheading. It includes convenience foods, specialty items, and ready-to-eat meals where molluscs are the primary ingredient. International trade in these goods is driven by consumer demand for convenience, diverse culinary experiences, and the global reach of seafood processing industries. Major importers typically include countries with high disposable incomes, diverse culinary traditions, and robust retail and foodservice sectors, such as Japan, the USA, and various European Union nations. Exporters are often coastal countries with strong seafood harvesting and processing capabilities, like China, Spain, Peru, and Thailand. Key considerations in this trade involve food safety regulations, preservation techniques (canning, freezing, drying), and adapting products to regional taste preferences and dietary trends. The market for these prepared mollusc items is dynamic, reflecting global shifts in food consumption.

What products fall under HS code 160559?

Canned abalone stew, frozen clam chowder base, squid ink pasta sauce, escargot in garlic butter, mussel pâté, octopus salad in oil, prepared scallop dishes

What are common misclassifications for HS code 160559?

This code can be confused with fresh or chilled molluscs (0307) or other prepared seafood (1604) if the mollusc-specific and 'prepared' nature is not clearly identified.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 160559?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 160559 in UN Comtrade data were China ($53M, 29% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($35M) and Spain ($19M). World exports came to about $182M, 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 160559?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 160559 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($52M, 27% of world imports), China ($27M) and France ($21M). World imports came to about $192M, 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 160559 structured?

HS code 160559 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 (59) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 160559?

In Brazil, HS code 160559 is NCM 1605.59.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.