Product classification
HS code for Canned crab meat: 1605.10
Crustacean preparations, crab, prepared or preserved.
Classification of canned crab meat under HS 1605.10
Canned crab meat is classified under HS code 1605.10. This heading is reserved for crustaceans that have been prepared or preserved. Crab meat that has been extracted from the shell, cooked, and then sealed in cans or jars is a classic example of a prepared crustacean. The General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) dictate that products of Chapter 16 are those that have undergone processes beyond those specified in Chapter 03. While Chapter 03 allows for crabs that are cooked by steaming or boiling in water (even if chilled or frozen), the act of removing the meat from the shell and canning it with or without additives (like citric acid or salt) moves the product into 1605.10. This code covers various species of crab, including King, Snow, and Dungeness, provided they are prepared or preserved. The classification applies to both white meat and claw meat, as long as it is derived from true crabs and not fish-based substitutes.
- Covers
- Lump crab meat in brine
- Canned claw meat
- King crab leg meat in cans
- Snow crab meat preserved in jars
- Crab meat with added preservatives for shelf stability
- Also under 1605.10
- Phillips Crab Meat
- Chicken of the Sea Crab
- Bumble Bee Crab
- Blue Star Crab Meat
- Handy Seafood Crab Cakes
- Pacific Seafood Crab
Codes often confused with 1605.10
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification for canned crab meat is 1604.20, which covers surimi and imitation crab meat. Imitation crab is made from minced fish (usually pollock) and must be classified as a fish preparation, not a crustacean preparation. Additionally, frozen whole crabs in the shell are classified under 0306.14, not 1605.10, even if they have been boiled.
Top exporters and importers of HS 160510 (the code used for canned crab meat), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 160510 (the code used for canned crab meat) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 71% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 160510, not only canned crab meat.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $374M 32% of world exports
- 2 China $284M 24% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$136M 12% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $761M 71% of world imports
- 2 Japan $117M 11% of world imports
- 3 France $25M 2.3% of world imports
World total: $1.1B 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 canned crab meat
Brazil classifies canned crab meat under NCM 1605.10.00: HS 1605.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about canned crab meat
What is the HS code for Canned crab meat?
The HS code for Canned crab meat is 160510 (Crustacean preparations; crab, prepared or preserved). The HS code for prepared or preserved crab meat is 1605.10.
How do I classify Canned crab meat for customs?
Canned crab meat is classified under HS code 160510 — Crustacean preparations; crab, prepared or preserved. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is imitation crab meat classified under 1605.10?
No, imitation crab meat (surimi) is classified under HS code 1604.20 because it is a preparation made from fish, not actual crab.
Which countries are the top exporters of canned crab meat (HS 160510)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 160510 (the code used for canned crab meat) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($374M, 32% of world exports), China ($284M) and Vietnam (about $136M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 canned crab meat (HS 160510)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 160510 (the code used for canned crab meat) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($761M, 71% of world imports), Japan ($117M) and France ($25M). World imports came to about $1.1B, 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.
Is the HS code for Canned crab meat the same in all countries?
The base HS code 160510 for Canned crab meat is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for canned crab meat in Brazil?
In Brazil, canned crab meat (HS 160510) is classified under NCM 1605.10.00.