Product classification

HS code for Prepared shrimp: 1605.21

Crustacean preparations, shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved, not in airtight containers.

Classification of prepared shrimp under HS 1605.21

HS code 1605.21 is used for shrimps and prawns that have been prepared or preserved but are not contained in airtight packaging. The Harmonized System distinguishes between raw crustaceans (Chapter 3) and those that have undergone significant processing (Chapter 16). Preparation includes boiling in water, steaming, breading, or seasoning. The "not in airtight containers" specification is a critical technical distinction in the HS nomenclature. Airtight containers refer to packaging designed to exclude air, such as cans or retort pouches, which typically allow for shelf-stability at room temperature. Products in 1605.21 are often found in the refrigerated or frozen sections of retail environments, where the packaging provides a barrier but is not hermetically sealed for long-term ambient storage. This code is essential for identifying value-added shrimp products, such as those that are pre-cooked for salads or breaded for frying, which carry different economic value and regulatory requirements than raw, shell-on shrimp.

Covers
  • Cooked and peeled shrimp in plastic bags (not airtight)
  • Breaded or battered shrimp (frozen)
  • Shrimp cocktail preparations in plastic cups
  • Marinated shrimp skewers (cooked)
  • Shrimp meat boiled in water and chilled
Also under 1605.21
  • Kirkland Signature Cooked Shrimp
  • Gorton's Breaded Shrimp
  • SeaPak Shrimp Scampi
  • Trader Joe's Cooked Shrimp
  • Aqua Star Cooked Shrimp
  • Ocean Spray Shrimp

Codes often confused with 1605.21

Common mistake. The most common misclassification is with HS code 1605.29, which is for shrimp in airtight containers (like cans). Another frequent error is using 0306.17 for frozen raw shrimp. If the shrimp is cooked before freezing, it must be moved to 1605.21. Importers also confuse this with 1605.10 (crab) or 1605.30 (lobster).

1605.29Crustacean preparations; shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved, in airtight containers0306.17Crustaceans; 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 water1605.10Crustacean preparations; crab, prepared or preserved1605.30Crustacean preparations; lobster, prepared or preserved

Top exporters and importers of HS 160521 (the code used for prepared shrimp), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 160521 (the code used for prepared shrimp) in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 41% 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 160521, not only prepared shrimp.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Vietnam* ~$1.2B
  2. 2 Indonesia $470M
  3. 3 China $302M

World total: $3.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $1.7B
  2. 2 Japan $656M
  3. 3 United Kingdom $223M

World total: $4.1B 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 shrimp

Brazil classifies prepared shrimp under NCM 1605.21.00: HS 1605.21 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about prepared shrimp

What is the HS code for Prepared shrimp?

The HS code for Prepared shrimp is 160521 (Crustacean preparations; shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved, not in airtight containers). For prepared shrimp not in airtight containers, the HS code is 1605.21. If in airtight containers, it is 1605.29.

How do I classify Prepared shrimp for customs?

Prepared shrimp is classified under HS code 160521 — Crustacean preparations; shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved, not in airtight containers. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is frozen breaded shrimp classified under Chapter 3?

No. Because breading is a form of preparation, it is classified under Chapter 16 (specifically 1605.21), even if the product is frozen.

Which countries are the top exporters of prepared shrimp (HS 160521)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 160521 (the code used for prepared shrimp) in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $1.2B, 38% of world exports), Indonesia ($470M) and China ($302M). World exports came to about $3.2B, 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 shrimp (HS 160521)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 160521 (the code used for prepared shrimp) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.7B, 41% of world imports), Japan ($656M) and the United Kingdom ($223M). World imports came to about $4.1B, 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 shrimp the same in all countries?

The base HS code 160521 for Prepared shrimp 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 shrimp in Brazil?

In Brazil, prepared shrimp (HS 160521) is classified under NCM 1605.21.00.