Product classification
HS code for Live crab: 0306.33
Crustaceans, live, fresh or chilled, crabs, whether in shell or not.
Classification of live crab under HS 0306.33
Live crabs are classified under HS code 0306.33. Chapter 3 of the Harmonized System covers fish and crustaceans, and heading 0306 specifically deals with crustaceans, whether in shell or not. The subheading 0306.33 is reserved for crabs that are live, fresh, or chilled. This classification is distinct from frozen crustaceans or those that have been cooked by steaming or boiling in water. The determination of "live" status is crucial for customs valuation, biological safety inspections, and the application of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures. If the crab has undergone any preservation process beyond simple chilling, such as freezing or drying, it moves to a different subheading. The classification applies to all species of crabs, including king crab, snow crab, and blue crab, provided they meet the state requirements of being live, fresh, or chilled. This code is essential for the global seafood trade, allowing for the tracking of live animal shipments which require specific handling and oxygenation during transport to ensure survival and food safety.
- Covers
- Live Dungeness crabs
- Fresh chilled Blue crabs
- Live King crabs
- Chilled Snow crab sections (not frozen)
- Live Mud crabs
- Also under 0306.33
- Alaskan King Crab Co.
- Joe's Crab Shack (for sourcing)
- Maryland Blue Crab
- Pacific Seafood
- Red Lobster (for sourcing)
Codes often confused with 0306.33
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification for live crabs is 0306.14, which is the code for frozen crabs. Another common error is 1605.10, which covers crab that has been prepared or preserved (e.g., canned crab meat or crab cakes). It is vital to distinguish between "chilled" (0306.33) and "frozen" (0306.14), as these have different tariff rates and regulatory requirements.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030633 (the code used for live crab), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030633 (the code used for live crab) in UN Comtrade data was Russia, with about 58% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 70% 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 030633, not only live crab.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Russia* ~$1.5B 58% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Vietnam* ~$161M 6.4% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Indonesia $120M 4.8% of world exports
World total: $2.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $1.9B 70% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $318M 12% of world imports
- 3 Hong Kong $70M 2.6% of world imports
World total: $2.7B 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 live crab
Brazil classifies live crab under NCM 0306.33.00: HS 0306.33 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about live crab
What is the HS code for Live crab?
The HS code for Live crab is 030633 (Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, crabs, whether in shell or not). The HS code for live, fresh, or chilled crabs is 0306.33.
How do I classify Live crab for customs?
Live crab is classified under HS code 030633 — Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, crabs, whether in shell or not. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include frozen crab legs?
No, frozen crab legs are classified under HS code 0306.14. Code 0306.33 is strictly for live, fresh, or chilled products.
Which countries are the top exporters of live crab (HS 030633)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030633 (the code used for live crab) in UN Comtrade data were Russia (about $1.5B, 58% of world exports), Vietnam (about $161M) and Indonesia ($120M). World exports came to about $2.5B, 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 live crab (HS 030633)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030633 (the code used for live crab) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.9B, 70% of world imports), South Korea ($318M) and Hong Kong ($70M). World imports came to about $2.7B, 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.
Is the HS code for Live crab the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030633 for Live crab 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 live crab in Brazil?
In Brazil, live crab (HS 030633) is classified under NCM 0306.33.00.