Product classification

HS code for Frozen sea crawfish: 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 sea crawfish under HS 0306.11

Frozen sea crawfish, also known as rock lobsters or spiny lobsters, are classified under HS code 0306.11. This classification is part of Chapter 3, which encompasses crustaceans. Heading 0306 is dedicated to crustaceans, whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or in brine. The subheading 0306.11 specifically targets frozen rock lobsters and other sea crawfish belonging to the genera Palinurus, Panulirus, and Jasus. A unique aspect of this classification is that it includes crustaceans that have been cooked by steaming or boiling in water before being frozen, provided they remain in their shells. This is an exception to the general rule that cooked food moves to Chapter 16. The classification is determined by the species (sea crawfish vs. true lobsters) and the preservation state (frozen).

Covers
  • Frozen whole rock lobsters (Palinurus spp.)
  • Frozen spiny lobster tails (Panulirus spp.)
  • Frozen sea crawfish, cooked in shell by steaming
  • Frozen Jasus species lobsters
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. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 0306.12, which is reserved for true lobsters of the genus Homarus (such as Maine or European lobsters). While both are commercially referred to as lobsters, the biological genus determines the code. Another common error is using 0306.19 for freshwater crayfish; although they share the name "crawfish" in some regions, freshwater varieties are classified under "other" crustaceans in 0306.19. If the meat is removed from the shell and then cooked, it must be classified in heading 1605.

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 water0306.19Crustaceans; frozen, n.e.c. in item no. 0306.1, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water16.05Crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, prepared or preserved

Top exporters and importers of HS 030611 (the code used for frozen sea crawfish), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030611 (the code used for frozen sea crawfish) 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 sea crawfish.

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 sea crawfish

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 sea crawfish

What is the HS code for Frozen sea crawfish?

The HS code for Frozen sea crawfish 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 HS code for frozen sea crawfish (rock lobsters) is 0306.11.

How do I classify Frozen sea crawfish for customs?

Frozen sea crawfish 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.

Can the crawfish be cooked and still use this code?

Yes, but only if they are cooked by steaming or boiling in water and remain in their shell. If the meat is cooked out of the shell, it moves to 1605.30.

Which countries are the top exporters of frozen sea crawfish (HS 030611)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030611 (the code used for frozen sea crawfish) 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 sea crawfish (HS 030611)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 030611 (the code used for frozen sea crawfish) 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 sea crawfish the same in all countries?

The base HS code 030611 for Frozen sea crawfish 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 sea crawfish in Brazil?

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