Product classification
HS code for Frozen cold-water prawns: 0306.16
Crustaceans, frozen, cold-water shrimps and prawns (Pandalus spp., Crangon crangon), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking, in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water.
Classification of frozen cold-water prawns under HS 0306.16
Frozen cold-water prawns and shrimps are classified under HS code 0306.16. This classification is determined by both the species and the preservation method. The Harmonized System distinguishes between "cold-water" and "other" (usually warm-water or tropical) prawns. Cold-water species primarily include those of the genus Pandalus, such as the Northern Prawn (Pandalus borealis), and the genus Crangon, such as the common brown shrimp (Crangon crangon). These species are typically smaller and caught in wild fisheries in northern latitudes. Under the rules of Chapter 3, crustaceans can be frozen raw or frozen after being cooked by steaming or boiling in water, provided they remain in their shells during the cooking process. This specific allowance is what keeps these products in heading 0306 rather than moving them to Chapter 16. If the prawns are peeled before cooking, or if they are prepared in a way that goes beyond simple boiling (such as breading or adding sauces), they would no longer qualify for this code. The freezing process must be the primary method of long-term preservation for the product to be classified here.
- Covers
- Frozen Northern Prawns (Pandalus borealis)
- Frozen Brown Shrimp (Crangon crangon)
- Frozen cold-water prawns, cooked in-shell and then frozen
- Frozen raw cold-water shrimps, shell-on or peeled
- Also under 0306.16
- Royal Greenland
- Clearwater Seafoods
- Ocean Choice International
- High Liner Foods
- Espersen
Codes often confused with 0306.16
Common mistake. This code is often confused with HS code 0306.17, which covers "other" shrimps and prawns, primarily warm-water species like Vannamei or Black Tiger prawns. Importers must verify the scientific genus (Pandalus or Crangon) to use 0306.16. Additionally, if the prawns are cooked after being peeled, they should be classified under 1605.21 (prepared or preserved prawns), as Chapter 3 only allows in-shell cooking.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030616 (the code used for frozen cold-water prawns), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030616 (the code used for frozen cold-water prawns) in UN Comtrade data was Greenland, with about 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, 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 030616, not only frozen cold-water prawns.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Greenland* ~$380M 23% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Denmark $330M 20% of world exports
- 3 Canada $210M 13% of world exports
World total: $1.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $441M 31% of world imports
- 2 Denmark $242M 17% of world imports
- 3 Morocco $122M 8.7% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 codes for frozen cold-water prawns
Brazil splits HS 0306.16 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 0306.16.10Frozen whole cold-water shrimps and prawns
- 0306.16.90Frozen cold-water shrimps and prawns, not whole
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about frozen cold-water prawns
What is the HS code for Frozen cold-water prawns?
The HS code for Frozen cold-water prawns is 030616 (Crustaceans; frozen, cold-water shrimps and prawns (Pandalus spp., Crangon crangon), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water). The HS code for frozen cold-water prawns, specifically Pandalus spp. and Crangon crangon, is 0306.16.
How do I classify Frozen cold-water prawns for customs?
Frozen cold-water prawns is classified under HS code 030616 — Crustaceans; frozen, cold-water shrimps and prawns (Pandalus spp., Crangon crangon), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can cooked prawns be classified under 0306.16?
Yes, but only if they were cooked by steaming or boiling in water while still in their shells. If they were cooked after peeling, they move to Chapter 16.
Which countries are the top exporters of frozen cold-water prawns (HS 030616)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030616 (the code used for frozen cold-water prawns) in UN Comtrade data were Greenland (about $380M, 23% of world exports), Denmark ($330M) and Canada ($210M). World exports came to about $1.7B, 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 frozen cold-water prawns (HS 030616)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030616 (the code used for frozen cold-water prawns) in UN Comtrade data were China ($441M, 31% of world imports), Denmark ($242M) and Morocco ($122M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 Frozen cold-water prawns the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030616 for Frozen cold-water prawns 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 frozen cold-water prawns in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 030616 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for frozen cold-water prawns depends on the product's details: 0306.16.10 (Frozen whole cold-water shrimps and prawns), 0306.16.90 (Frozen cold-water shrimps and prawns, not whole).