Pickled Kippered Herring Snacks from Japan
Ready-to-eat pickled kippered herring pieces from Pacific herring, lightly cured in vinegar and spices, sold in vacuum-sealed pouches. Classified under HTS 1604.12.60.30 for 'other' pickled herrings in pieces, not minced, distinguishing from smoked kippers by the pickling preservation method over smoking. Meets criteria for prepared fish excluding caviar or minced forms.
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%
Import Tips
• Label products clearly as 'pickled' not 'smoked' to prevent shift to 1604.11; include brine composition
• Obtain seafood HACCP certification; pitfall is failing country-of-origin declaration for traceability
• For retail packs, ensure child-resistant packaging if marketed as snacks, per CPSC guidelines