Frozen Whole Escolar Butterfish
Frozen whole escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum), marketed as butterfish, cleaned but intact. Falls under HTS 0303.89.0055 for other frozen fish specifically butterfish, excluding fillets. Popular in sushi preparations despite mercury content warnings.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If albacore or bonito
Specific headings like 0303.81 for albacore take precedence over butterfish basket subheading.
If extracted fish oils
Fish oils from butterfish species are classified in Chapter 15 as animal/vegetable fats.
If salted or in brine
Frozen fish prepared in salt or brine moves to heading 0306, not plain frozen whole fish.
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Import Tips & Compliance
• Include FDA seafood HACCP plan certification, noting potential histamine risks in scombroid species like escolar
• Declare exact species nomenclature to prevent reclassification as oilfish under different commercial names
• Monitor EU import alerts for escolar due to laxative oil content, affecting transshipment documentation
Related Products under HTS 0303.89.00.55
Frozen Pacific Butterfish Whole
Whole frozen Pacific butterfish (Peprilus simillimus), excluding fillets and other fish meat, packed in bulk for commercial use. This product falls under HTS 0303.89.0055 as frozen butterfish, a specific type of other fish not classified elsewhere in heading 0303. It is not processed into fillets or offal.
Frozen Japanese Butterfish Fillets
Frozen butterfish fillets from Japanese gurnard (Steindachneria argus), headless and gutted but retaining skeletal structure, not further processed into meat. Classified under HTS 0303.89.0055 as frozen butterfish excluding true fillets of 0304. Primarily used in Asian cuisine.
IQF Frozen Butterfish Portions
Individually quick frozen (IQF) butterfish portions, skin-on and bone-in, cut from whole fish but not filleted. This frozen product is specifically butterfish under HTS 0303.89.0055, destined for restaurant supply. Excludes fish fillets of heading 0304.
Bulk Frozen Butterfish for Processing
Bulk-packed frozen whole butterfish in 40 lb master cartons, for further industrial processing into surimi or fillets. HTS 0303.89.0055 applies to this frozen other fish excluding 0304 meat and 0309 pellets. Not fit for direct human consumption as meal.