Fresh Chilled Spirinchus Smelt
Spirinchus starksi, known as 'shiro-uo' or whitebait smelt from Pacific coasts, supplied fresh or chilled whole for Asian markets. HTS 0302.89.50.37 applies to these other smelts, excluding processed forms or offal. Delicate fish eaten fried or raw.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If retail packaged vs bulk import
Fresh salmonids have specific codes, but smelts bulk vs retail may influence subheading detail.
If lightly brined or pickled
Prepared/preserved crustaceans or molluscs exclude fish, but lightly processed fish go to 1604/1605.
If made into pellets fit for human food
Chapter notes direct human-consumable pellets/flours to 0309, not raw fish headings.
Not sure which classification is right?
The Tariff Assistant works through the GRI rules on your specific product to reach the right HTS code — and can price the duty on it in the same conversation.
Import Tips & Compliance
• Batch-code shipments by catch date; older than 48 hours risks reclassification from fresh/chilled
• Include traceability docs from harvest to port for HACCP compliance
Related Products under HTS 0302.89.50.37
Fresh Chilled Rainbow Smelt
Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) is a small, silvery fish commonly harvested from cold North Atlantic and Great Lakes waters, sold fresh or chilled whole for human consumption. It falls under HTS 0302.89.50.37 as fresh or chilled smelts, excluding fillets or other fish meat of heading 0304, and not prepared for human consumption under other headings. These are typically gutted but left intact with heads and tails.
Fresh Chilled Capelin Smelt
Capelin (Mallotus villosus), a type of smelt abundant in North Atlantic and Pacific waters, imported fresh or chilled whole for food markets. Classified under HTS 0302.89.50.37 as other fresh/chilled smelts, not filleted and excluding offal. Often used in sushi or fried preparations.
Fresh Chilled Pond Smelt
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'.
Fresh Chilled European Smelt
European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus), a marine fish from Baltic and North Seas, imported fresh or chilled whole in bulk for wholesalers. Fits HTS 0302.89.50.37 as specified smelts, fresh/chilled, not filleted per heading 0304 exclusion. Known for cucumber-like aroma when fresh.