Product classification
HS code for Live lobster: 0306.32
Crustaceans, live, fresh or chilled, lobsters (Homarus spp.), whether in shell or not.
Classification of live lobster under HS 0306.32
Live lobsters of the genus Homarus are classified under HS code 0306.32. This code is situated within Chapter 3, which covers fish and crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates. Heading 0306 specifically addresses crustaceans, whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or in brine. The subheading 0306.32 is dedicated to the \"live, fresh or chilled\" state of lobsters belonging to the Homarus species, which includes the American lobster (Homarus americanus) and the European lobster (Homarus gammarus). Classification is driven by the taxonomic genus and the preservation state. Because these animals are crustaceans, they are excluded from Chapter 1. The distinction between live and chilled is grouped together in this specific subheading under the 2017 and 2022 HS nomenclature updates, simplifying the process for traders dealing in high-value live seafood logistics.
- Covers
- Live American lobsters (Homarus americanus)
- Live European lobsters (Homarus gammarus)
- Fresh (non-frozen) whole lobsters of the Homarus genus
- Chilled lobsters of the Homarus genus transported on ice
- Also under 0306.32
- Clearwater Seafoods
- Luke's Lobster
- Lobster Place
- Boston Lobster Company
- Fisherman's Wharf
Codes often confused with 0306.32
Common mistake. A common error is confusing Homarus lobsters with Rock lobsters or Spiny lobsters, which are classified under HS code 0306.31. While they are all lobsters in a culinary sense, the HS system distinguishes them by biological family. Another frequent mistake is using 0306.12, which is the code for frozen lobsters. If the lobster has been cooked and then chilled, it may still fall under 0306.32, but if it is frozen, it must move to the frozen category.
Top exporters and importers of HS 030632 (the code used for live lobster), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030632 (the code used for live lobster) in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 52% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 32% 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 030632, not only live lobster.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Canada $799M 52% of world exports
- 2 United States $550M 36% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $67M 4.3% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $550M 32% of world imports
- 2 United States $420M 25% of world imports
- 3 Canada $238M 14% of world imports
World total: $1.7B 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 lobster
Brazil classifies live lobster under NCM 0306.32.00: HS 0306.32 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about live lobster
What is the HS code for Live lobster?
The HS code for Live lobster is 030632 (Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, lobsters (Homarus spp.), whether in shell or not). The HS code for live lobsters of the genus Homarus is 0306.32.
How do I classify Live lobster for customs?
Live lobster is classified under HS code 030632 — Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, lobsters (Homarus spp.), whether in shell or not. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include frozen lobster tails?
No, frozen lobster tails are classified under HS code 0306.12, as the 0306.3x series is strictly for live, fresh, or chilled products.
Which countries are the top exporters of live lobster (HS 030632)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030632 (the code used for live lobster) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($799M, 52% of world exports), the United States ($550M) and the United Kingdom ($67M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 lobster (HS 030632)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 030632 (the code used for live lobster) in UN Comtrade data were China ($550M, 32% of world imports), the United States ($420M) and Canada ($238M). World imports 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.
Is the HS code for Live lobster the same in all countries?
The base HS code 030632 for Live 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 live lobster in Brazil?
In Brazil, live lobster (HS 030632) is classified under NCM 0306.32.00.