Frozen Sardina pilchardus Sardines Whole from China
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.
Duty Rate — China → United States
37.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.88.0325%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.13, 9903.88.18, 9903.88.33, 9903.88.34, 9903.88.35, 9903.88.36, 9903.88.37, 9903.88.38, 9903.88.40, 9903.88.41, 9903.88.43, 9903.88.45, 9903.88.46, 9903.88.48, 9903.88.56, 9903.88.64, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(e) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(f)
9903.05.3112.5%Section 301 (forced labor) — additional 12.5% ad valorem on products of China
Import Tips
• 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