Ready-to-Eat Cuttlefish Balls
Ready-to-eat cuttlefish balls are minced cuttlefish formed into balls, steamed, and packed in trays for immediate consumption. This product is classified under tariff item 1605.54.00 as a prepared or preserved mollusc, because the mincing and steaming processes transform the cuttlefish into a fully prepared food. The product is ready to eat without further cooking, making it distinct from raw or simply frozen cuttlefish.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
| Origin Country | MFN Tariff | Surtaxes | Total Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳China | Free | — | Free |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Free | — | Free |
| 🇺🇸United States | Free | — | Free |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Free | — | Free |
| 🇯🇵Japan | Free | — | Free |
More Specific Codes
This product may fall under a more specific subheading:
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If the balls are stuffed into pasta or dough products
Stuffed pasta products are classified in heading 19.02, and if the cuttlefish balls are part of a pasta dish, they may fall there.
If the balls are raw and only formed without cooking
Raw formed cuttlefish products that are not cooked or preserved may be classified under Chapter 3.
Not sure which classification is right?
The Tariff Assistant works through the GRI rules on your specific product to reach the right tariff item — and can price the duty on it in the same conversation.
Import Tips & Compliance
• Confirm that the cuttlefish content is above 20% by weight, as required for Chapter 16 classification, and that no other ingredients predominate
• Provide CBSA with a detailed ingredient list and production process to show the product is fully cooked and ready to eat
• Ensure the packaging is labelled with storage instructions and that the product meets Canadian food safety standards for prepared seafood
Related Products under Tariff item 1605.54.00
Baby Squid with Sardine Casserole Meal
A canned casserole combining baby squid and sardines with potatoes and olives. The presence of squid as the predominant mollusc, along with fish meat, places it under tariff item 1605.54.00 for prepared cuttle fish and squid.
Breaded Squid Nuggets Frozen
Frozen, pre-breaded squid nuggets that have been cooked before flash-freezing. Because they are breaded and cooked, they are considered prepared or preserved rather than simply frozen, placing them under tariff item 1605.54.00 for prepared cuttle fish and squid.
Canned Cuttlefish in Brine
Canned cuttlefish in brine consists of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) that has been cleaned, cooked, and packed in brine inside metal cans for long-term preservation. It is classified under tariff item 1605.54.00 as a prepared or preserved mollusc, specifically cuttlefish, because the cooking and brining processes go beyond the simple preservation methods of Chapter 3. The product is ready for consumption or further culinary use, meeting the definition of prepared or preserved aquatic invertebrates.
Canned Cuttlefish Ink Paste
Canned cuttlefish ink paste is a pure extract of cuttlefish ink that has been pasteurized and canned for culinary use in pasta and rice dishes. It is classified under tariff item 1605.54.00 as a prepared or preserved cuttlefish product, since the ink is derived from cuttlefish and the pasteurization and canning processes preserve it for human consumption. The product is not a sauce or seasoning but a distinct mollusc-derived preparation, fitting the scope of prepared aquatic invertebrates.
Canned Giant Squid in Brine
Canned giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) preserved in brine, ready for consumption. The canning and brining process makes it a prepared or preserved product, falling under tariff item 1605.54.00 for cuttle fish and squid.
Cuttlefish and Cod Stew Frozen Entree
A frozen ready-to-heat stew with cuttlefish, cod fillets, tomatoes, onions, and herbs. The cuttlefish base with added fish meat qualifies this as a prepared meal under tariff item 1605.54.00.