Smoked Cuttlefish Fillets
Smoked cuttlefish fillets are cuttlefish mantles filleted, smoked over wood for flavour, and vacuum-sealed as a ready-to-eat delicacy. This product is classified under tariff item 1605.54.00 as a prepared or preserved mollusc, because the smoking process preserves the fillets and imparts flavour, making them ready for consumption. The vacuum-sealing and smoking go beyond the simple preservation methods of Chapter 3, qualifying the product as prepared.
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 fillets are only smoked lightly without full cooking or preservation
Lightly smoked cuttlefish that is not fully preserved may be classified under Chapter 3.
If the product is a preparation of fish rather than molluscs
If the fillets are actually from a fish species rather than cuttlefish, they may be classified under heading 16.04.
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
• Document the smoking process, including the type of wood and duration, to confirm the product is prepared and not just dried
• Verify that the fillets are fully cooked or smoked to a safe internal temperature, as required by Canadian food safety regulations
• Ensure the vacuum-sealed packaging is intact and labelled with the product name and country of origin for CBSA inspection
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.