Product classification
HS code for Prepared crab: 1605.10
Crustacean preparations, crab, prepared or preserved.
Classification of prepared crab under HS 1605.10
HS Code 1605.10 specifically covers crab that has been prepared or preserved. The distinction between Chapter 03 and Chapter 16 is critical for international trade compliance. If the crab is merely frozen, it remains in 0306. However, if the crab meat has been cooked (usually by steaming or boiling) and then removed from the shell, or if it is canned, it moves to 1605.10. This code includes crab meat packed in airtight containers, often used for salads or gourmet cooking. The preparation process might involve the addition of salt, spices, or preservatives to extend shelf life or enhance flavor. It is important to note that the crab must be "real" crustacean meat. The classification applies regardless of whether the crab is whole, in legs, or as picked meat, provided it has been cooked or otherwise prepared. This code is also used for crab meat that has been pasteurized to extend its refrigerated shelf life. Importers must ensure that the product is not imitation crab, as the tariff rates and import quotas for genuine crab are often significantly different from those for fish-based substitutes. Furthermore, the presence of minor ingredients like breading or sauces does not necessarily move the product out of this code, provided the crab remains the essential character of the preparation.
- Covers
- Canned lump crab meat
- Pasteurized crab meat in plastic tubs
- Cooked crab legs, frozen after boiling
- Crab meat preserved in oil or vinegar
- Whole cooked crabs, vacuum-sealed
- Prepared crab cakes (if primarily crab meat)
- Also under 1605.10
- Phillips Crab Meat
- Chicken of the Sea Crab
- Bumble Bee Crab
- Blue Star Crab Meat
- Handy Seafood Crab Cakes
- Pacific Seafood Crab
Codes often confused with 1605.10
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 0306.14 (frozen crab) or 0306.33 (live/fresh crab). These codes are only for raw crustaceans. Another major error is using HS code 1604.20 for imitation crab (surimi). Imitation crab is made from minced fish and must be classified under fish preparations, not crustaceans. Furthermore, if the crab is part of a prepared meal where crab is not the dominant component, it might fall under Chapter 21.
Top exporters and importers of HS 160510 (the code used for prepared crab), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 160510 (the code used for prepared crab) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 71% 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 160510, not only prepared crab.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $374M 32% of world exports
- 2 China $284M 24% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$136M 12% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $761M 71% of world imports
- 2 Japan $117M 11% of world imports
- 3 France $25M 2.3% of world imports
World total: $1.1B 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 prepared crab
Brazil classifies prepared crab under NCM 1605.10.00: HS 1605.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about prepared crab
What is the HS code for Prepared crab?
The HS code for Prepared crab is 160510 (Crustacean preparations; crab, prepared or preserved). The HS code for prepared or preserved crab is 1605.10.
How do I classify Prepared crab for customs?
Prepared crab is classified under HS code 160510 — Crustacean preparations; crab, prepared or preserved. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is frozen cooked crab meat classified under 1605.10?
Yes, because the crab has been cooked (prepared) before freezing, it is classified under 1605.10 rather than Chapter 03.
Which countries are the top exporters of prepared crab (HS 160510)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 160510 (the code used for prepared crab) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($374M, 32% of world exports), China ($284M) and Vietnam (about $136M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 prepared crab (HS 160510)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 160510 (the code used for prepared crab) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($761M, 71% of world imports), Japan ($117M) and France ($25M). World imports came to about $1.1B, 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 Prepared crab the same in all countries?
The base HS code 160510 for Prepared 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 prepared crab in Brazil?
In Brazil, prepared crab (HS 160510) is classified under NCM 1605.10.00.