Product classification

HS code for Sea urchins: 0308.29

Aquatic invertebrates, sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus), dried, salted or in brine, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking process.

Classification of sea urchins under HS 0308.29

Sea urchins that have been processed through drying, salting, smoking, or being placed in brine are classified under HS code 0308.29. Chapter 03 covers fish and aquatic invertebrates. Heading 0308 specifically addresses aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans and molluscs, which includes echinoderms like sea urchins. The subheading 0308.29 is reserved for those that are not live, fresh, or chilled. The classification remains in Chapter 03 as long as the processing does not exceed the methods mentioned (drying, salting, smoking, or brining). If the sea urchins were further prepared, such as being cooked and preserved in airtight containers or prepared as a paste, they might move to Chapter 16. However, for standard preserved sea urchin products, 0308.29 is the correct designation. This code includes various species such as Strongylocentrotus spp. and Paracentrotus lividus. The classification is vital for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations, as processed seafood often has different entry requirements than live specimens.

Covers
  • Dried sea urchin roe (Uni)
  • Salted sea urchins
  • Sea urchins in brine
  • Smoked sea urchins
  • Cooked sea urchins (if cooked before or during smoking)
  • Frozen sea urchin roe (if not fresh/chilled)
Also under 0308.29
  • Santa Barbara Uni (processed)
  • Hokkaido Uni (processed)
  • Chilean Sea Urchin Roe (salted)
  • Maine Uni (brined)

Codes often confused with 0308.29

Common mistake. Sea urchins are often misclassified under HS code 0308.21, which is specifically for live, fresh, or chilled sea urchins. The distinction is based entirely on the state of preservation. Another common error is classification under HS code 1605.62. Chapter 16 covers "prepared or preserved" seafood that has undergone processing beyond what is allowed in Chapter 03, such as being prepared as a ready-to-eat meal or preserved in vinegar or oil. If the sea urchin is merely salted or in brine, it must stay in 0308.29.

0308.21Aquatic invertebrates; sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus), live, fresh or chilled1605.62Aquatic invertebrates; sea urchins, prepared or preserved

Top exporters and importers of HS 030829 (the code used for sea urchins), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 030829 (the code used for sea urchins) in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Liberia, 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 030829, not only sea urchins.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 South Korea $915K
  2. 2 Sierra Leone* ~$770K
  3. 3 Australia $262K

World total: $2.3M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Liberia $770K
  2. 2 Italy $454K
  3. 3 France $141K

World total: $1.7M 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 sea urchins

Brazil classifies sea urchins under NCM 0308.29.00: HS 0308.29 with 00 added.

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

Questions about sea urchins

What is the HS code for Sea urchins?

The HS code for Sea urchins is 030829 (Aquatic invertebrates; sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus), dried, salted or in brine, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking process). The HS code for dried, salted, smoked, or brined sea urchins is 0308.29.

How do I classify Sea urchins for customs?

Sea urchins is classified under HS code 030829 — Aquatic invertebrates; sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus), dried, salted or in brine, smoked, whether or not cooked before or during smoking process. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What code is used for fresh sea urchin roe?

Fresh or chilled sea urchin roe is classified under HS code 0308.21.

Which countries are the top exporters of sea urchins (HS 030829)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 030829 (the code used for sea urchins) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($915K, 41% of world exports), Sierra Leone (about $770K) and Australia ($262K). World exports came to about $2.3M, 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 sea urchins (HS 030829)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 030829 (the code used for sea urchins) in UN Comtrade data were Liberia ($770K, 44% of world imports), Italy ($454K) and France ($141K). World imports came to about $1.7M, 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 Sea urchins the same in all countries?

The base HS code 030829 for Sea urchins 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 sea urchins in Brazil?

In Brazil, sea urchins (HS 030829) is classified under NCM 0308.29.00.