Product classification
HS code for Frozen prawns: 0306.17
Crustaceans, frozen, shrimps and prawns, excluding cold-water varieties, 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 prawns under HS 0306.17
Frozen prawns are classified under HS code 0306.17. This code is found within Chapter 3, which covers fish and crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates. Heading 0306 is specific to crustaceans, whether in shell or not, and includes various states such as live, fresh, chilled, frozen, or even cooked by steaming or boiling in water while still in the shell. Subheading 0306.17 specifically covers 'other' shrimps and prawns that are frozen, which in practice refers to warm-water species like Vannamei or Black Tiger prawns. The classification remains 0306.17 regardless of whether the prawns are whole, headless, or peeled, provided they are frozen and have not been further prepared (such as breading or adding sauces). The inclusion of prawns cooked in-shell by boiling is a specific provision of this heading, distinguishing it from other meat products where cooking usually triggers a move to Chapter 16.
- Covers
- Frozen warm-water prawns (Penaeus spp.)
- Frozen peeled and deveined prawns
- Frozen head-on shell-on (HOSO) prawns
- Frozen prawns cooked in shell by steaming or boiling
- Also under 0306.17
- CP Foods
- Charoen Pokphand Foods
- Seajoy
- Ocean Garden Products
- Rubicon Resources
Codes often confused with 0306.17
Common mistake. Frozen prawns are often misclassified under 0306.16, which is reserved specifically for cold-water shrimps and prawns (such as Pandalus borealis). Importers must know the biological species to choose correctly. Another common error is using 1605.21 or 1605.29. These codes in Chapter 16 are for prawns that have been further prepared, such as breaded prawns (e.g., butterfly shrimp), prawns in a prepared sauce, or prawns that have been cooked after being peeled.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030617 (the code used for frozen prawns), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030617 (the code used for frozen prawns) in UN Comtrade data was Ecuador, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 25% 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 030617, not only frozen prawns.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Ecuador $8.2B 38% of world exports
- 2 India $5.0B 23% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$1.6B 7.7% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $21.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $5.2B 25% of world imports
- 2 China $4.8B 23% of world imports
- 3 Spain $1.3B 6.1% of world imports
World total: $21.0B 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 prawns
Brazil splits HS 0306.17 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 0306.17.10Frozen whole non-cold-water shrimps and prawns
- 0306.17.90Frozen non-cold-water shrimps, not whole
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about frozen prawns
What is the HS code for Frozen prawns?
The HS code for Frozen prawns is 030617 (Crustaceans; frozen, shrimps and prawns, excluding cold-water varieties, 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 most frozen warm-water prawns is 0306.17.
How do I classify Frozen prawns for customs?
Frozen prawns is classified under HS code 030617 — Crustaceans; frozen, shrimps and prawns, excluding cold-water varieties, 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 cover breaded prawns?
No, breaded prawns are considered a prepared food product and are classified under HS code 1605.21.
Which countries are the top exporters of frozen prawns (HS 030617)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030617 (the code used for frozen prawns) in UN Comtrade data were Ecuador ($8.2B, 38% of world exports), India ($5.0B) and Vietnam (about $1.6B). World exports came to about $21.4B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of frozen prawns (HS 030617)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030617 (the code used for frozen prawns) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($5.2B, 25% of world imports), China ($4.8B) and Spain ($1.3B). World imports came to about $21.0B, 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 prawns the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030617 for Frozen 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 prawns in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 030617 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for frozen prawns depends on the product's details: 0306.17.10 (Frozen whole non-cold-water shrimps and prawns), 0306.17.90 (Frozen non-cold-water shrimps, not whole).