HS Code for Shrimp / Prawns (HS 0306.17)
Frozen non-cold-water shrimp is HS 0306.17 (2017 revision moved it from 0306.13). Farmed vannamei (Litopenaeus vannamei) dominates the trade; wild-caught contributes a minority. Anti-dumping duties on multiple origins in the US, EU antibiotic residue enforcement, and cold-chain compliance are the main import risks.
Sample 6-digit codes
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 0306.16 | Frozen cold-water shrimp and prawns |
| 0306.17 | Other frozen shrimp and prawns |
| 0306.35 | Live / fresh / chilled cold-water shrimp |
| 0306.36 | Other live / fresh / chilled shrimp |
| 1605.21 | Prepared or preserved shrimp / prawns |
Typical import duty by market
| Market | Duty |
|---|---|
| European Union | 12% GSP / EBA on qualifying origins may reduce; strict antibiotic residue enforcement. |
| United States | 0% But AD duties on India, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Ecuador etc - annual review. |
| Japan | 1-4.8% |
| China | 5% Plus 9% VAT; GACC facility approval. |
| UAE | 5% |
Numerical Example: 20 MT HLSO 21/25 count vannamei, FOB Chennai USD 6.50/kg, CIF Rotterdam
20 MT HLSO 21/25 count vannamei, FOB Chennai USD 6.50/kg, CIF Rotterdam. Run your own numbers in the Import Duty & Tax calculator.
- · EU antibiotic MRLs / zero-tolerance for chloramphenicol, nitrofurans - RASFF rejections routine on Indian / Vietnamese origin.
- · US FDA import alert - multiple facility-specific detention orders.
- · US NOAA SIMP (Seafood Import Monitoring Program) - permit and traceability required for prawn imports.
- · ASC / BAP / GlobalGAP certification - increasingly a buyer requirement.
- · Cold-chain temperature -18degC continuous - HACCP requirement.
- · India
- · Ecuador
- · Vietnam
- · Indonesia
- · Thailand
- · China
Frequently asked questions
HLSO = Headless Shell-On. PD = Peeled and Deveined. PDTO = Peeled and Deveined Tail-On. EZ Peel = shell-on with dorsal cut, easy to peel. Each has separate market and price. Contract specifies size (count/lb) and processing.
Yes. 0306.17 covers frozen shrimp regardless of source. Wild-caught receives premium pricing but same HS. Some sustainability certifications distinguish farmed (ASC, BAP) from wild (MSC).
Import duty and tax by destination market
Typical MFN duty, consumption tax and the tax base applied to meat & seafood (HS 0306.17) in each market we cover. Rates are indicative at the 6-digit line | confirm the national 8/10-digit code with your broker.
| Market | Duty | Consumption tax | Tax base | Tax as % of CIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 5% | IGST 18% | Assessable value + duty | 24.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | 5% | VAT 5% | CIF + duty | 10.3% |
| Saudi Arabia | 5% | VAT 15% | CIF + duty | 20.8% |
| Singapore | 5% | GST 9% | CIF + duty | 14.4% |
| China | 5% | VAT 13% | CIF + duty | 18.6% |
| United States | 5% | Federal VAT 0% | CIF | 5.3% |
| United Kingdom | 5% | VAT 20% | CIF + duty | 26.0% |
| Germany | 5% | USt 19% | CIF + duty | 24.9% |
| Netherlands | 5% | BTW 21% | CIF + duty | 27.1% |
| Vietnam | 5% | VAT 10% | CIF + duty | 15.5% |
| Türkiye | 5% | KDV 20% | CIF + duty | 26.0% |
| Japan | 5% | JCT 10% | CIF + duty | 15.5% |
| South Korea | 5% | VAT 10% | CIF + duty | 15.5% |
| Brazil | 5% | IPI+PIS/COFINS+ICMS 32% | CIF + duty | 38.6% |
| Indonesia | 5% | PPN 11% | CIF + duty | 19.1% |
| Mexico | 5% | IVA 16% | CIF + duty | 22.7% |
| Egypt | 5% | VAT 14% | CIF + duty | 19.7% |
| Nigeria | 5% | VAT 7.5% | CIF + duty | 14.5% |
| South Africa | 5% | VAT 15% | Assessable value + duty | 22.8% |
| Australia | 5% | GST 10% | CIF + duty | 15.5% |
Run your own numbers with the landed cost calculator or check documentation requirements in the LC document checklist.