Frozen Whole Escolar Butterfish from Japan
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.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
12.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.4912.5%Except for products described in headings 9903.05.85–9903.05.92, articles the product of Japan, with an ad valorem (or ad valorem equivalent) rate of duty under column 1 less than 12.5 percent, as provided for in U.S. note 52 to this subchapter
Import Tips
• 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