Frozen Sardina pilchardus Sardines Whole
Whole frozen Sardina pilchardus sardines, caught in the Atlantic, are preserved by rapid freezing to maintain freshness. They fall under HTS 0303.53.00.00 as frozen whole sardines of the specified species, excluding fillets or meat of heading 0304 and not processed into flours, meals, or pellets.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If processed into frozen fillets
Frozen fillets and other fish meat of sardines are excluded from 0303 and classified under heading 0304.
If ground into flour, meal, or pellets fit for human consumption
Per chapter notes, such processed products suited for human consumption fall under heading 0309, not 0303.
If only edible offal like livers or roe, excluding whole fish
Edible offal of these species is specifically classified under subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99, separate from whole fish.
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Import Tips & Compliance
• Verify species identification with scientific names via certificates of origin or lab testing to confirm Sardina pilchardus
• Ensure compliance with FDA seafood HACCP regulations and provide frozen storage documentation during customs clearance
• Avoid common pitfalls like declaring as fillets, which shifts to HTS 0304; whole fish must remain intact
Related Products under HTS 0303.53.00.00
Frozen Sardinops sagax Pacific Sardines
Frozen Pacific sardines (Sardinops sagax) harvested from coastal waters, frozen whole for bulk export. Classified under HTS 0303.53.00.00 as they match the Sardinops spp. species in frozen whole form, not as fillets or processed pellets.
Frozen Sardinella maderensis Madeiran Sardinella
Frozen whole Madeiran sardinella (Sardinella maderensis) from Canary Current waters. Under HTS 0303.53.00.00 as Sardinella spp. frozen fish, whole and unprocessed beyond freezing.
Frozen Sprattus antipodum New Zealand Sprats
Whole frozen Southern sprats (Sprattus antipodum) from sub-Antarctic fisheries. Matches HTS 0303.53.00.00 for Sprattus sprattus group frozen wholes.
Frozen Sardina pilchardus Atlantic Sardines IQF
Individually quick frozen (IQF) whole Atlantic sardines (Sardina pilchardus) for retail packs. HTS 0303.53.00.00 applies to these frozen whole specified species.
Frozen Sardinella gibbosa Goldstripe Sardinella
Whole frozen goldstripe sardinella (Sardinella gibbosa) from Indian Ocean. HTS 0303.53.00.00 for Sardinella spp. frozen wholes.
Frozen Sardinella aurita Round Sardinella
Whole round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) frozen at sea for optimal quality, sourced from tropical fisheries. This product is under HTS 0303.53.00.00 due to its species match and frozen whole presentation, distinct from fillets or human-fit pellets.