Fresh Chilled Sardinops melanostictus Japanese Sardines
Whole Japanese sardines (Sardinops melanostictus), fresh or chilled, key species in East Asian fisheries for sushi or processing. HTS 0302.43.00.00 covers Sardinops spp. in fresh/chilled form, whole and unfilleted.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If actually anchovies
Anchovis (Engraulis spp.) have adjacent subheading; morphological ID distinguishes from sardines.
If made into flours/meals for human consumption
Chapter notes exclude human-fit flours, meals, pellets from 0305-0308 and direct to 0309.
If dried, not chilled
Dried sardines, even if not pellets, may fall under Chapter 7 for dried leguminous vegetables if misclassified, but typically stay in 03.
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Import Tips & Compliance
• Comply with US FDA seafood HACCP with critical controls for histamine in small oily fish like sardines
• Declare exact scientific name on entry docs; 'pilchards' may confuse with other Clupeoids
• Use reefer containers set to 2°C; temperature excursions can trigger FDA detention
Related Products under HTS 0302.43.00.00
Fresh Chilled Sardina pilchardus Sardines
Whole fresh or chilled Sardina pilchardus sardines, ungutted and unprocessed except for chilling, directly from fishing vessels. Classified under HTS 0302.43.00.00 as fresh or chilled sardines of the specified species, excluding fillets or other fish meat of heading 0304.
Fresh Chilled Sardinella maderensis Round Sardinella
Whole round sardinella (Sardinella maderensis), fresh or chilled, common in Eastern Atlantic fisheries, imported for canning or fresh markets. Precisely matches HTS 0302.43.00.00 for sardinella species in fresh/chilled state, not processed further.
Fresh Chilled Sprattus sprattus Baltic Sprats
Baltic Sea sprats (Sprattus sprattus), fresh or chilled whole fish, prized for their mild flavor in European markets. HTS 0302.43.00.00 designates fresh/chilled brisling/sprats explicitly.
Fresh Chilled Sardinops sagax Pacific Sardines
Fresh or chilled Pacific sardines (Sardinops sagax), typically caught off the California coast, sold whole for immediate processing or retail. Falls under HTS 0302.43.00.00 specifically for Sardinops spp. in fresh/chilled form, excluding any filleted meat.
Fresh Chilled Sprattus sprattus European Sprats
Fresh or chilled brisling/sprats (Sprattus sprattus), small oily fish from North Atlantic, sold whole ungutted. Classified in HTS 0302.43.00.00 as specifically named fresh/chilled sprats, excluding any filleted portions.
Fresh Chilled Sardinella aurita Round Sardinella
Fresh or chilled Sardinella aurita, a tropical sardinella from Mediterranean and West African waters, imported whole for bait or food. Specifically under HTS 0302.43.00.00 for fresh/chilled sardinella spp.