Product classification

HS code for Frozen cooked rock lobster: 0306.11

Crustaceans, frozen, rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), 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 cooked rock lobster under HS 0306.11

Frozen cooked rock lobster is classified under HS code 0306.11. This classification is determined by the General Rules for the Interpretation (GRI) of the Harmonized System, specifically GRI 1 and 6. Chapter 3 covers fish and crustaceans, and heading 0306 specifically addresses crustaceans, whether in shell or not. The subheading 0306.11 is reserved for rock lobsters and other sea crawfish of the genera Palinurus, Panulirus, and Jasus. A critical aspect of this classification is that the product remains in this category even if it has been cooked by steaming or boiling in water before or during the freezing process, provided it remains in its shell. This is an exception to the general rule that cooked food preparations fall under Chapter 16, as the HS nomenclature explicitly allows for simple boiling or steaming of crustaceans in shell within Chapter 3.

Covers
  • Frozen whole rock lobsters (Palinurus spp.)
  • Frozen rock lobster tails in shell
  • Frozen sea crawfish (Panulirus spp.) cooked by steaming
  • Frozen Jasus species lobsters boiled in water
  • Frozen spiny lobsters in shell
Also under 0306.11
  • Australian Rock Lobster
  • South African Rock Lobster
  • Caribbean Spiny Lobster
  • New Zealand Crayfish.

Codes often confused with 0306.11

Common mistake. This code is frequently confused with HS code 0306.12, which is specifically for 'Homarus' species (true lobsters with large claws). While both are lobsters, the biological genus determines the code. Another common error is using HS code 1605.30. Code 1605.30 is for lobster that has been prepared or preserved beyond simple steaming or boiling, or lobster meat that has been removed from the shell. If the rock lobster is frozen but the shell has been removed, it must be classified under Chapter 16 rather than 0306.11.

0306.12Crustaceans; frozen, lobsters (Homarus spp.), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water1605.30Crustacean preparations; lobster, prepared or preserved

Top exporters and importers of HS 030611 (the code used for frozen cooked rock lobster), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030611 (the code used for frozen cooked rock lobster) in UN Comtrade data was the Bahamas, with about 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 44% 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 030611, not only frozen cooked rock lobster.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Bahamas* ~$119M
  2. 2 Nicaragua* ~$83M
  3. 3 Brazil $81M

World total: $597M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $261M
  2. 2 China $105M
  3. 3 France $58M

World total: $594M 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 cooked rock lobster

Brazil splits HS 0306.11 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about frozen cooked rock lobster

What is the HS code for Frozen cooked rock lobster?

The HS code for Frozen cooked rock lobster is 030611 (Crustaceans; frozen, rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water). The correct HS code is 0306.11, which covers frozen rock lobsters and other sea crawfish, including those cooked in shell.

How do I classify Frozen cooked rock lobster for customs?

Frozen cooked rock lobster is classified under HS code 030611 — Crustaceans; frozen, rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), 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.

Does this code include lobster meat without the shell?

No, if the lobster meat is removed from the shell and then frozen, it is generally classified under HS code 1605.30 as a prepared or preserved crustacean.

Which countries are the top exporters of frozen cooked rock lobster (HS 030611)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030611 (the code used for frozen cooked rock lobster) in UN Comtrade data were the Bahamas (about $119M, 20% of world exports), Nicaragua (about $83M) and Brazil ($81M). World exports came to about $597M, 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 cooked rock lobster (HS 030611)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 030611 (the code used for frozen cooked rock lobster) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($261M, 44% of world imports), China ($105M) and France ($58M). World imports came to about $594M, 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 cooked rock lobster the same in all countries?

The base HS code 030611 for Frozen cooked rock lobster 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 cooked rock lobster in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 030611 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for frozen cooked rock lobster depends on the product's details: 0306.11.10 (Frozen whole rock lobsters), 0306.11.90 (Frozen rock lobsters, not whole).