HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1605.62 – Aquatic invertebrates; sea urchins, prepared or preserved
HS code 1605.62 is the 6-digit subheading for aquatic invertebrates, sea urchins, prepared or preserved. It is used for frozen sea urchin roe (uni), canned sea urchin, sea urchin paste, sea urchin sashimi grade (frozen) and sea urchin in brine.
What HS 1605.62 covers
This HS code pertains to sea urchins that have undergone preparation or preservation, primarily focusing on their highly prized roe, known as 'uni,' a delicacy in many high-end cuisines, especially Japanese. The trade encompasses forms such as frozen, canned, or otherwise processed sea urchin roe, moving beyond simple chilling. Major importers are countries with a significant appetite for premium seafood, including Japan, the USA, and parts of Europe. Exporters are typically nations possessing substantial sea urchin fisheries and advanced processing capabilities, such as Chile, the USA (particularly California and Maine), Canada, and Japan itself. Critical factors in this trade include maintaining the delicate quality and freshness of the roe, stringent quality grading, ensuring sustainable harvesting practices to protect marine ecosystems, and efficient cold chain logistics to preserve product integrity during international transit. The market is highly sensitive to quality and origin.
- Covers
- Frozen sea urchin roe (uni)
- Canned sea urchin
- Sea urchin paste
- Sea urchin sashimi grade (frozen)
- Sea urchin in brine
- Prepared sea urchin salads
- Examples
- Santa Barbara Uni
- Hokkaido Uni (frozen)
- Chilean Sea Urchin Roe
- Urchinomics (sustainable uni)
Codes often confused with 1605.62
Common mistake. Can be mistaken for fresh sea urchins (0308.21) or other prepared aquatic invertebrates (1605.69) if not clearly sea urchin.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 160562, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 160562 in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Hong Kong, with 28% 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 Spain $2.5M 37% of world exports
- 2 Chile $1.4M 20% of world exports
- 3 Japan $1.1M 16% of world exports
World total: $6.9M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Hong Kong $2.5M 28% of world imports
- 2 Japan $2.0M 22% of world imports
- 3 Malaysia $618K 6.8% of world imports
World total: $9.1M 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 1605.62
Brazil does not split HS 1605.62: its NCM code is 1605.62.00.
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 1605.62
What is HS code 160562?
HS code 160562 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Aquatic invertebrates; sea urchins, prepared or preserved. This HS code pertains to sea urchins that have undergone preparation or preservation, primarily focusing on their highly prized roe, known as 'uni,' a delicacy in many high-end cuisines, especially Japanese. The trade encompasses forms such as frozen, canned, or otherwise processed sea urchin roe, moving beyond simple chilling. Major importers are countries with a significant appetite for premium seafood, including Japan, the USA, and parts of Europe. Exporters are typically nations possessing substantial sea urchin fisheries and advanced processing capabilities, such as Chile, the USA (particularly California and Maine), Canada, and Japan itself. Critical factors in this trade include maintaining the delicate quality and freshness of the roe, stringent quality grading, ensuring sustainable harvesting practices to protect marine ecosystems, and efficient cold chain logistics to preserve product integrity during international transit. The market is highly sensitive to quality and origin.
What products fall under HS code 160562?
Frozen sea urchin roe (uni), canned sea urchin, sea urchin paste, sea urchin sashimi grade (frozen), sea urchin in brine, prepared sea urchin salads
What are common misclassifications for HS code 160562?
Can be mistaken for fresh sea urchins (0308.21) or other prepared aquatic invertebrates (1605.69) if not clearly sea urchin.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 160562?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 160562 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($2.5M, 37% of world exports), Chile ($1.4M) and Japan ($1.1M). World exports came to about $6.9M, 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 160562?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 160562 in UN Comtrade data were Hong Kong ($2.5M, 28% of world imports), Japan ($2.0M) and Malaysia ($618K). World imports came to about $9.1M, 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 160562 structured?
HS code 160562 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 (62) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 160562?
In Brazil, HS code 160562 is NCM 1605.62.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.