0308.11.00.00/Live Japanese Sea Cucumber (Stichopus japonicus)/Japan

Live Japanese Sea Cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) from Japan

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.

Duty Rate — Japan → United States

12.5%

Rate breakdown

9903.05.4912.5%Section 301 (forced labor) — Japan (col1 rate < 12.5 percent): MFN < 12.5% → total duty capped at 12.5%

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Import Tips

• 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