Product classification
HS code for Escargots: 1605.58
Mollusc preparations, snails, other than sea snails, prepared or preserved.
Classification of escargots under HS 1605.58
Escargots are classified under HS code 1605.58 because they represent prepared or preserved molluscs. In the Harmonized System, Chapter 3 is reserved for fish, crustaceans, and molluscs that are live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or in brine, but not otherwise cooked or prepared. Once snails undergo a preparation process—such as boiling in water, seasoning with herbs and garlic butter, or being preserved in airtight cans—they move from Chapter 3 to Chapter 16. Specifically, heading 1605 covers crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates that have been prepared or preserved. Subheading 1605.58 is the specific designation for snails, excluding sea snails. This classification applies regardless of whether the snails are presented in their shells or as meat only. The addition of ingredients like garlic, parsley, or wine, which are standard in escargot preparations, confirms their placement in Chapter 16 as a composite food preparation where the mollusc remains the character-defining component.
- Covers
- Canned snails in brine or natural juice
- Snails prepared with garlic butter and parsley (Escargots à la Bourguignonne)
- Frozen prepared snail meat, pre-cooked
- Snail pâté or spreads containing snail meat
- Snails preserved in vinegar or with added spices
- Also under 1605.58
- Roland Escargots
- Sarlat Escargots
- various French and Eastern European brands for canned/frozen snails
Codes often confused with 1605.58
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 0307.60. This code is strictly for snails (other than sea snails) that are live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or in brine, but have not been cooked or prepared with other ingredients. If the snails are simply frozen raw, they belong in 0307.60; if they are frozen after being cooked or seasoned, they must be moved to 1605.58. Another common error involves sea snails (such as whelks or periwinkles), which are classified under 1605.59 if prepared, or 0307.9x if fresh/frozen, as 1605.58 is reserved for land snails.
Top exporters and importers of HS 160558 (the code used for escargots), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 160558 (the code used for escargots) 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.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 160558, not only escargots.
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 escargots
Brazil classifies escargots under NCM 1605.58.00: HS 1605.58 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about escargots
What is the HS code for Escargots?
The HS code for Escargots is 160558 (Mollusc preparations; snails, other than sea snails, prepared or preserved). The HS code for prepared or preserved escargots (land snails) is 1605.58.
How do I classify Escargots for customs?
Escargots is classified under HS code 160558 — Mollusc preparations; snails, other than sea snails, prepared or preserved. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include the shells?
Yes, if the snails are prepared and presented within their shells, the entire product is classified under 1605.58. If empty shells are imported separately, they are classified under 0508.00.
Which countries are the top exporters of escargots (HS 160558)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 160558 (the code used for escargots) 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 escargots (HS 160558)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 160558 (the code used for escargots) 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.
Is the HS code for Escargots the same in all countries?
The base HS code 160558 for Escargots 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 escargots in Brazil?
In Brazil, escargots (HS 160558) is classified under NCM 1605.58.00.