Coral and similar materials, unworked or simply prepared, shells of molluscs, crustaceans or echinoderms and cuttle-bone, not cut to shape powder and waste thereof (heading 0508): importing markets
HS 0508 covers unworked or simply prepared coral, shells of molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms, and cuttle-bone, plus their powder and waste. It is a…
Published on 10 October 2026Updated on 10 October 2026
HS 0508 covers unworked or simply prepared coral, shells of molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms, and cuttle-bone, plus their powder and waste. It is a small, concentrated market: in 2024 China declared the largest imports (about USD 35 million), followed by France and the United States. For an exporter from Spain, the first step is to confirm the classification and the rules of the destination.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2024Verified on 10 October 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 0508
- Chapter
- 05 · Animal originated products; not elsewhere specified or included
- Subheadings
- 1
Main importing markets
USD · 2024| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| China | 35,043,455 |
| France | 15,116,510 |
| United States | 11,399,581 |
| Hong Kong SAR China | 10,132,404 |
| India | 7,987,180 |
| Japan | 6,369,265 |
| Italy | 4,752,284 |
| Germany | 4,086,638 |
| South Korea | 3,800,045 |
| United Kingdom | 3,535,181 |
| Romania | 2,894,483 |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | 2,548,929 |
| Canada | 2,134,027 |
| Czechia | 1,317,189 |
| Belgium | 1,259,493 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2024Verified on 10 October 2026
What to know before exporting HS 0508
HS 0508 is a single heading in Chapter 05, animal originated products not elsewhere specified. It groups raw or simply prepared materials: coral, shells of molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms, and cuttle-bone. Powder and waste of these materials are included. Items cut to shape fall outside the heading.
The import table shows a concentrated demand. China is the largest declared importer by a wide margin, ahead of France and the United States. Hong Kong SAR China, India and Japan follow. Figures are imports declared by each country from the world, so they show where demand is, not how much of it Spain can supply.
Two European buyers appear in the list: France, in second place, and Italy and Germany further down. For a company exporting from Spain, shipments to EU member states move inside the single market, so customs duties do not apply. Intra-EU trade still has to be documented correctly, and the buyer's use of the product may carry its own rules.
For markets outside the EU, such as China, the United States, India or Japan, the duty depends on the subheading used in the destination and on any agreement in force with the EU. It is looked up by destination and code in Access2Markets, the European Commission tool for exporters. Within the EU, TARIC gives the nomenclature and the measures applied at the EU border.
Some coral species are protected under CITES, the convention on international trade in endangered species. Whether a given shipment needs permits depends on the species, its origin and the destination country. The species must be identified before quoting. The competent authority for CITES in Spain and the destination customs office confirm the requirements.
Animal-origin materials can also face health or veterinary checks on import, depending on the destination and on whether the product is treated. Check the import conditions of the specific market for the exact product, and ask the buyer for the commodity code they use on their side, since national subdivisions beyond six digits differ.
Source: Access2MarketsData for 2024Verified on 10 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
What products fall under HS 0508?
HS 0508 covers coral and similar materials, shells of molluscs, crustaceans or echinoderms, and cuttle-bone, when they are unworked or simply prepared. Powder and waste of these materials are included. Products cut to shape are not classified here.
Which countries import the most under HS 0508?
In 2024, according to UN Comtrade, China declared the largest imports, about USD 35 million. France followed with about USD 15 million and the United States with about USD 11 million. Hong Kong SAR China and India complete the top five.
Do I pay import duty when exporting HS 0508 from Spain to France?
No customs duty applies to trade between EU member states, since Spain and France are in the same customs union. Shipments still need correct invoicing and transport documents. Any specific rules on the product itself, such as protected species, are checked separately.
How do I find the duty for exporting HS 0508 outside the EU?
Search the destination country and the product code in Access2Markets. It shows the tariff, any preference under agreements with the EU, and the import requirements. The rate depends on the destination's subheading, so confirm the code with the buyer.
Does coral need special permits to export?
It can. Some coral species are listed under CITES, and listed species need permits for international trade. Whether your product requires one depends on the species, its origin and the destination. Identify the species first, then consult the CITES authority in your country.
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