Molluscs — HTS 0307

HTS heading 0307 is a broad product category for molluscs—such as shellfish and other invertebrate seafood—when they are live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, in brine, or smoked. It can cover products whether they are in the shell or removed from it. The heading also states that smoked molluscs may have been cooked before or during smoking.

To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, first confirm that the product belongs in heading 0307 rather than another seafood heading. Then follow the heading’s subheadings and tariff descriptions, which commonly distinguish the goods by the kind of mollusc or material and sometimes by its form or processing. Verify every level of the classification, including the statistical suffix, because similar products can have different 8-digit codes.

What to check

• Identify the exact mollusc species or commercial type, and keep records such as the scientific name, product label, and supplier specifications.
• Document the condition at import: live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, in brine, or smoked, and whether it is in the shell or shelled.
• Check whether cooking, smoking, marinating, seasoning, or another preparation changes the product’s classification or moves it to a different heading.
• Read the complete HTSUS description at each indentation level; do not select a code based only on the heading title or a keyword search.
• Confirm the classification with current official HTSUS notes and, when the product is unusual or commercially significant, seek a customs broker’s advice or a binding ruling.