Fresh Chilled Pond Smelt from Mexico
Pond smelt (Hypomesus olidus), a small freshwater smelt from Asian lakes and rivers, shipped fresh or chilled on ice for retail sale. HTS 0302.89.50.37 covers these as other fresh/chilled smelts, whole and excluding fillets or meat of 0304. Popular in Japanese cuisine as 'wakasagi'.
Duty Rate — Mexico → United States
10%
Rate breakdown
9903.03.0110%Except for products described in headings 9903.03.02–9903.03.11, articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter
Import Tips
• Use insulated containers with temperature loggers; customs may test core temperature to confirm chilled vs frozen status
• Obtain veterinary health certificate if from aquaculture sources, detailing feed and water quality to meet APHIS requirements
• Avoid common pitfall of generic 'small fish' labeling—specify 'smelt' species to prevent duty assessment under higher-rate codes