Frozen Whole Escolar Butterfish from Mexico
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 — Mexico → United States
10%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.5510%Section 301 (forced labor) — additional 10% ad valorem on products of Mexico
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