Product classification
HS code for Fresh sea cucumber: 0308.11
Aquatic invertebrates, sea cucumbers (Stichopus japonicus, Holothuroidea), live, fresh or chilled.
Classification of fresh sea cucumber under HS 0308.11
Fresh sea cucumbers are classified under HS code 0308.11. This classification falls under Chapter 3, which covers aquatic animals. Heading 0308 is specifically for aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans and molluscs. Sea cucumbers, belonging to the class Holothuroidea, are explicitly named in the subheadings of 0308. Subheading 0308.11 is reserved for those that are live, fresh, or chilled. This code is used for raw sea cucumbers that have not been subjected to freezing, drying, or smoking. The classification remains 0308.11 even if the internal organs have been removed, provided the specimen remains fresh or chilled. Accurate classification is vital because sea cucumbers are often traded in various dried forms, which move the product into different subheadings. The "fresh" designation implies the product is in its natural state or has been kept at a temperature slightly above freezing to maintain its biological integrity without ice crystal formation.
- Covers
- Live Stichopus japonicus sea cucumbers
- Fresh Holothuroidea species chilled for transport
- Live sea cucumbers in oxygenated seawater tanks
- Chilled sea cucumbers with internal organs removed
- Freshly harvested sea cucumbers intended for immediate processing
- Also under 0308.11
- Japanese Sea Cucumber (Namako)
- California Sea Cucumber
- Australian Sandfish
- Chinese Stichopus japonicus.
Codes often confused with 0308.11
Common mistake. Sea cucumbers are frequently misclassified under 0308.12 (frozen) or 0308.19 (dried, salted, or in brine). Because the majority of international trade in sea cucumbers involves the dried "beche-de-mer" form, 0308.19 is the most common point of confusion. Additionally, if the sea cucumber has been fully prepared or preserved (e.g., canned in sauce), it must be classified under 1605.61. Importers must ensure that the moisture content and temperature at the time of entry justify the "fresh" or "chilled" status of 0308.11.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030811 (the code used for fresh sea cucumber), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030811 (the code used for fresh sea cucumber) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 56% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 31% 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 030811, not only fresh sea cucumber.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $3.8M 56% of world exports
- 2 Canada $1.5M 21% of world exports
- 3 United States $361K 5.3% of world exports
World total: $6.8M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 South Korea $2.6M 31% of world imports
- 2 Greece $1.9M 23% of world imports
- 3 United States $1.5M 18% of world imports
World total: $8.4M 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 fresh sea cucumber
Brazil classifies fresh sea cucumber under NCM 0308.11.00: HS 0308.11 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fresh sea cucumber
What is the HS code for Fresh sea cucumber?
The HS code for Fresh sea cucumber is 030811 (Aquatic invertebrates; sea cucumbers (Stichopus japonicus, Holothuroidea), live, fresh or chilled). The HS code for live, fresh, or chilled sea cucumbers is 0308.11.
How do I classify Fresh sea cucumber for customs?
Fresh sea cucumber is classified under HS code 030811 — Aquatic invertebrates; sea cucumbers (Stichopus japonicus, Holothuroidea), live, fresh or chilled. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How are dried sea cucumbers classified differently?
Dried, salted, or smoked sea cucumbers are classified under HS code 0308.19, whereas 0308.11 is strictly for fresh or chilled states.
Which countries are the top exporters of fresh sea cucumber (HS 030811)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030811 (the code used for fresh sea cucumber) in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.8M, 56% of world exports), Canada ($1.5M) and the United States ($361K). World exports came to about $6.8M, 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 fresh sea cucumber (HS 030811)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030811 (the code used for fresh sea cucumber) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($2.6M, 31% of world imports), Greece ($1.9M) and the United States ($1.5M). World imports came to about $8.4M, 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 Fresh sea cucumber the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030811 for Fresh sea cucumber 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 fresh sea cucumber in Brazil?
In Brazil, fresh sea cucumber (HS 030811) is classified under NCM 0308.11.00.