Live Japanese Sea Cucumber (Stichopus japonicus)
Live Japanese sea cucumbers (Stichopus japonicus) are harvested from cold Pacific waters and imported alive for the luxury seafood market or aquaculture breeding. They fall under HTS 0308.11.00.00 as live sea cucumbers, a type of echinoderm in the Holothuroidea class, distinct from crustaceans and molluscs. These are prized in East Asian cuisine for their gelatinous texture when prepared.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If a different sea cucumber species not specifically Stichopus japonicus
Other live, fresh or chilled sea cucumbers fall under the residual subheading 0308.19 for Holothuroidea not elsewhere specified.
If frozen
Frozen sea cucumbers, even if from live stock, are classified under the frozen heading 0308.91 rather than live/fresh/chilled.
If dried and unfit for human consumption
Dried sea cucumbers processed for industrial or animal use shift to heading 0511 for animal products not elsewhere specified.
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Import Tips & Compliance
• Obtain CITES permits if applicable for protected species and ensure live transport compliance with humane handling regulations to prevent mortality
• Provide certificates of origin and health certifications from exporting country authorities verifying they are live, disease-free sea cucumbers
• Avoid misclassification as processed products; common pitfall is declaring chilled as live without proof of viability upon arrival
Related Products under HTS 0308.11.00.00
Live Sandfish Sea Cucumber (Holothuria scabra)
Live sandfish sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra) are imported alive for research aquariums and breeding programs. They qualify under HTS 0308.11.00.00 as live sea cucumbers in Holothuroidea, transported in controlled seawater environments. Valued for their role in marine ecosystem studies.
Fresh Chilled Black Sea Cucumber (Holothuria scabra)
Fresh chilled black sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra) are sandfish species imported chilled on ice for high-end restaurants specializing in Asian fusion cuisine. Classified under HTS 0308.11.00.00 as chilled Holothuroidea aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans or molluscs. They must remain viable or freshly harvested without freezing or preservation.
Live White Teatfish Sea Cucumber (Holothuria fuscogilva)
Live white teatfish sea cucumbers (Holothuria fuscogilva) are premium live imports for breeding farms and live seafood markets. They match HTS 0308.11.00.00 for live Holothuroidea, emphasizing their status as non-crustacean, non-mollusc echinoderms maintained alive during transport. Popular in aquaculture for restocking fisheries.
Fresh Chilled Prickly Redfish Sea Cucumber (Thelenota ananas)
Fresh chilled prickly redfish sea cucumbers (Thelenota ananas) are imported for gourmet sashimi preparations, chilled to preserve texture. HTS 0308.11.00.00 applies to these chilled Holothuroidea, ensuring they are neither frozen nor preserved. Known for their large size and bumpy skin in luxury seafood trade.
Fresh Chilled Lollypop Sea Cucumber (Holothuria atra)
Fresh chilled lollypop sea cucumbers (Holothuria atra) are tropical species imported for niche culinary uses, kept chilled post-harvest. HTS 0308.11.00.00 covers chilled Holothuroidea excluding crustaceans and molluscs. Common in Indo-Pacific fisheries for their resilience.