Product classification
HS code for Fresh sea urchin: 0308.21
Aquatic invertebrates, sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus), live, fresh or chilled.
Classification of fresh sea urchin under HS 0308.21
HS code 0308.21 is the international standard for classifying fresh, chilled, or live sea urchins. Under the Harmonized System, Chapter 3 includes various aquatic invertebrates. Heading 0308 specifically excludes crustaceans (0306) and molluscs (0307), focusing instead on other invertebrates like sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Subheading 0308.21 covers specific genera such as Strongylocentrotus, Paracentrotus, Loxechinus, and Echinus. To qualify for this code, the sea urchins must be presented in a live, fresh, or chilled state. This includes whole sea urchins or the edible gonads (roe), provided they have not been cooked, frozen, or otherwise preserved. The classification is strictly based on the state of the product at the time of customs declaration. If the sea urchins are transported in seawater to keep them alive, they still fall under this code. The distinction between fresh and chilled is based on whether the product is at ambient temperature or has been cooled to near-freezing temperatures.
- Covers
- Live Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (Green sea urchin)
- Fresh sea urchin roe (Uni) chilled on trays
- Live Paracentrotus lividus in shell
- Chilled Loxechinus albus from South American waters
- Freshly harvested Echinus esculentus kept on ice
- Also under 0308.21
- Santa Barbara Red Sea Urchin
- Hokkaido Uni
- Maine Green Sea Urchin
- Chilean Loxechinus albus.
Codes often confused with 0308.21
Common mistake. The most common misclassification for this product is 0308.22, which applies to frozen sea urchins. Another frequent error involves 0308.29, which is used for sea urchins that are dried, salted, or in brine. If the sea urchin roe has been steamed or otherwise cooked before being chilled, it may be classified under 1605.62 as a prepared or preserved aquatic invertebrate. It is essential to distinguish between the raw, chilled roe (0308.21) and the processed versions to avoid tariff discrepancies.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030821 (the code used for fresh sea urchin), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030821 (the code used for fresh sea urchin) in UN Comtrade data was Russia, with about 43% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 47% 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 030821, not only fresh sea urchin.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Russia* ~$95M 43% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Japan $60M 27% of world exports
- 3 Canada $15M 6.8% of world exports
World total: $218M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $108M 47% of world imports
- 2 United States $47M 20% of world imports
- 3 Hong Kong $21M 9.2% of world imports
World total: $233M 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 fresh sea urchin
Brazil classifies fresh sea urchin under NCM 0308.21.00: HS 0308.21 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 urchin
What is the HS code for Fresh sea urchin?
The HS code for Fresh sea urchin is 030821 (Aquatic invertebrates; sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus), live, fresh or chilled). The HS code for live, fresh, or chilled sea urchins is 0308.21.
How do I classify Fresh sea urchin for customs?
Fresh sea urchin is classified under HS code 030821 — Aquatic invertebrates; sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus), live, fresh or chilled. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is fresh sea urchin roe (Uni) included in this code?
Yes, fresh or chilled sea urchin roe is classified under 0308.21, provided it has not been cooked or frozen.
Which countries are the top exporters of fresh sea urchin (HS 030821)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030821 (the code used for fresh sea urchin) in UN Comtrade data were Russia (about $95M, 43% of world exports), Japan ($60M) and Canada ($15M). World exports came to about $218M, 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 urchin (HS 030821)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030821 (the code used for fresh sea urchin) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($108M, 47% of world imports), the United States ($47M) and Hong Kong ($21M). World imports came to about $233M, 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 urchin the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030821 for Fresh sea urchin 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 urchin in Brazil?
In Brazil, fresh sea urchin (HS 030821) is classified under NCM 0308.21.00.