Crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, prepared or preserved (heading 1605): importing markets
HS heading 1605 covers crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates that are prepared or preserved. In 2025 the United States (USD 3.37 billion)…
Published on 14 November 2026Updated on 14 November 2026
HS heading 1605 covers crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates that are prepared or preserved. In 2025 the United States (USD 3.37 billion) and Japan (USD 1.30 billion) declared the largest imports, far ahead of South Korea and Germany. For an exporter from Spain, the right subheading and the destination decide the duties and the entry requirements.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 14 November 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 1605
- Chapter
- 16 · Meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, or insects; preparations thereof
- Subheadings
- 20
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| United States | 3,373,758,285 |
| Japan | 1,303,279,362 |
| South Korea | 568,766,141 |
| Germany | 469,545,520 |
| United Kingdom | 419,314,758 |
| Denmark | 347,277,929 |
| France | 341,510,172 |
| Canada | 286,776,008 |
| Spain | 245,199,538 |
| Italy | 235,558,613 |
| Netherlands | 223,919,618 |
| Hong Kong SAR China | 206,150,512 |
| Australia | 200,160,518 |
| Sweden | 194,567,510 |
| China | 182,307,273 |
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 2025Verified on 14 November 2026
What to know before exporting heading 1605
Heading 1605 sits in Chapter 16 of the Harmonized System and groups crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates that have been prepared or preserved. The heading is divided into 20 subheadings, so the code that goes on the invoice is a longer one, not the four digits of the heading.
The first task is to classify the product at the right level. Species and form of preparation, for example whether the product is a crustacean or a mollusc, decide the subheading. Duties, statistics and many import requirements are tied to that code, not to the heading.
The demand data show a concentrated market. The United States and Japan declared the largest imports in 2025, followed by South Korea, Germany and the United Kingdom. Several European markets also appear in the table, among them Denmark, France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands.
For a company exporting from Spain, the destination changes the route. Shipments to other EU countries move within the single market and are not subject to customs duties. Shipments to the United States, Japan, South Korea or the United Kingdom depend on the duty for the specific subheading and on the trade agreement in force. Both are looked up in Access2Markets by entering the code and the destination.
Food products of animal origin also face sanitary requirements at import. These vary by country and by product, and they are set by the destination authorities. Check them for the exact subheading before quoting a price, because they can affect lead times and costs.
The table of imports reflects what each country declared as buyer from the world, not what Spain sells to it. It shows where the demand is, not how easy access is. Use it to shortlist markets, then verify duties and requirements for each one.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 14 November 2026
Frequently asked questions
Which countries import the most prepared or preserved crustaceans and molluscs under HS 1605?
According to UN Comtrade data for 2025, the largest importers by declared value are the United States (USD 3.37 billion), Japan (USD 1.30 billion), South Korea (USD 0.57 billion), Germany (USD 0.47 billion) and the United Kingdom (USD 0.42 billion).
Is HS 1605 a single product code?
No. 1605 is a four-digit heading that contains 20 subheadings. The code used in customs documents is the longer one that matches the species and the form of preparation, so the product must be classified at that level.
How do I find the duty for HS 1605 from Spain?
The duty depends on the subheading, the destination and the trade agreement in force. For a company exporting from Spain, it is looked up in Access2Markets by entering the product code and the destination country. For EU destinations there are no customs duties.
Do the import figures show how much Spain exports to each country?
No. Each figure is what the importing country declared as purchases from the whole world. It measures the size of the market, not the share held by any supplier or by Spain.
Why can the latest year in the table be behind the current year?
Countries report their trade data to UN Comtrade with a delay. The table uses the most recent period with consolidated data, which is 2025 for this page.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 14 November 2026
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