A practical, bookmarkable playbook to classify Indonesian frozen vannamei shrimp under the 2025 US HTSUS and calculate your real landed costs. We cover 0306.16 vs 0306.17, the current duty picture, MPF/HMF math, and how to avoid the costly mistakes we see every month.
I went from $0 to $10,247 in 90 days using this exact system A few years back, a new buyer misclassified frozen vannamei as cold‑water shrimp. Their broker caught it right before entry and we reworked the docs. The difference on a few containers over a quarter? $10,247 in avoided fees and delays. The lesson stuck. Classification isn’t paperwork. It’s margin.
Here’s the 2025 playbook we use for Indonesian frozen shrimp headed to the US.
The 3 pillars of getting HTS and landed cost right
- Nail the product identity
- Species: For Indonesia, most exported shrimp are warm‑water penaeids like vannamei (Litopenaeus vannamei) and black tiger (Penaeus monodon).
- State: Raw or cooked. Frozen or not. We’re focusing on raw, frozen.
- Form: Head-on shell-on (HOSO), headless shell-on (HLSO), peeled (PUD), peeled and deveined (PD), tail-on/off, IQF vs block.
- Additions: Breaded, sauced, seasoned. Any “prepared” element moves you out of Chapter 03.
- Choose the right heading
- 0306.16 is cold‑water shrimps and prawns, frozen. Think Pandalus borealis. Not vannamei.
- 0306.17 is other shrimps and prawns, frozen. That’s where Indonesian vannamei and black tiger sit when raw and frozen, regardless of peel status.
- Cooked or breaded shrimp are typically Chapter 16, not our scope here.
- Price the real landed costs
- Base duty rate for 0306.17 from Indonesia is generally Free in 2025.
- MPF: 0.3464% of the entered value. Subject to CBP’s annual minimum and maximum caps. The percentage doesn’t change.
- HMF: 0.125% of the entered value for ocean shipments. No cap. Not charged for air.
- AD/CVD: No current AD/CVD orders on frozen warmwater shrimp from Indonesia as of early 2025. Always verify before entry.
Practical takeaway: If your shrimp are raw, frozen vannamei from Indonesia, you should be under 0306.17 at the 6‑digit level with a base duty of Free. Your main predictable costs are MPF and HMF.
Week 1–2: Market research and validation (tools + templates)
We translate this to “lock in your description and evidence.” US Customs classifies what you describe and can prove.
- Build a precise spec sheet. Species, raw/frozen, shell/peel status, deveined or not, tail-on/off, IQF vs block. For example, our Frozen Shrimp (Black Tiger, Vannamei & Wild Caught) specs clearly state “raw, frozen, IQF, PD tail‑on” when that’s the customer’s requirement.
- Use HTSUS Search. Look up Chapter 03 → 0306 → 0306.17. Then drill into the 10‑digit breakout that matches shell/peel form. Don’t guess based on a Google snippet. Read the subheading notes.
- Cross‑check with CBP’s CROSS rulings. Search “vannamei 0306.17 peeled” and read actual rulings for similar forms.
- Keep compliance in the loop. Shrimp is subject to FDA and NOAA SIMP recordkeeping. You’ll need harvest and/or aquaculture facility documentation. Have it ready because brokers ask for it.
If you’re unsure, we’ve found a quick pre‑entry review saves more time than any post‑summary correction. Need a sanity check on your spec and code? You can Contact us on whatsapp and we’ll point you to the correct subheading language to discuss with your broker.
Week 3–6: MVP creation and testing
Treat your first shipment like a pilot.
- Align your commercial docs. Invoice and packing list descriptions must match your classification. If the invoice says “shrimp pieces” but your code is for PD tail‑on, expect questions.
- Confirm the 10‑digit with your broker. At the 6‑digit level it’s 0306.17 for raw warm‑water shrimp. The 10‑digit selection usually hinges on shell/peel form and sometimes count size. Your broker’s ABI system will show the current 10‑digit options.
- Do the math in advance. MPF at 0.3464% and HMF at 0.125% are straightforward.
Example: 20,000 kg raw, frozen IQF PD tail‑on vannamei from Indonesia.
- CIF value: $5.40/kg → $108,000
- Base duty: 0% of $108,000 = $0
- MPF: 0.3464% × $108,000 = $374.11 (ensure this falls between CBP’s current min/max)
- HMF: 0.125% × $108,000 = $135.00 (ocean only)
- Total duties/fees due at entry: about $509.11
We’ve seen this simple calculator end disputes. It also helps you compare quotes apples‑to‑apples.
Week 7–12: Scale and optimize
Once the classification and fees are stable, scale volume and sharpen operations.
- Lock packaging claims to the code. If you switch from PD to PUD to chase yield, your 10‑digit might change. Update your broker.
- Monitor regulatory changes quarterly. MPF caps adjust annually. AD/CVD cases can be initiated. A 30‑minute review each quarter saves surprises.
- Build SKU‑specific HS mapping. One SKU, one code. We keep our internal map tied to cutting specs to avoid mix‑ups on the line.
Our team also uses this framework on finfish and cephalopods. Whether it’s Loligo Squid (Whole Round / Whole Cleaned) or snapper fillets, the discipline is the same.
The 5 biggest mistakes that blow up shrimp entries
- Mixing up 0306.16 and 0306.17. Vannamei is not cold‑water. If your species isn’t Pandalus or similar, you’re likely in 0306.17.
- Calling cooked shrimp “frozen raw.” Cooked or breaded pushes you to Chapter 16 and different duty treatment. Don’t bury “cooked” in a spec note.
- Ignoring SIMP. Shrimp is covered. Missing harvest/farm data delays clearance.
- Assuming farmed vs wild changes duty. It doesn’t for base MFN rates in Chapter 03. But it does matter for SIMP and traceability.
- Forgetting HMF. Air shipments don’t incur HMF. Ocean shipments do. We still see airfreight quotes using ocean HMF.
If you avoid those, you’re 90% there. The last 10% is updating your codes when your processing spec changes.
Common questions we get from buyers
What’s the HTS code for peeled IQF vannamei shrimp from Indonesia?
At the 6‑digit level, raw, frozen vannamei is classified under 0306.17 “Other shrimps and prawns, frozen.” The final 10‑digit depends on form. Peeled/deveined and tail status usually determine the specific line. Your broker will select the precise 10‑digit based on your spec sheet and current HTSUS text.
What’s the US duty rate on frozen shrimp from Indonesia in 2025?
The MFN base duty for 0306.17 from Indonesia is generally Free in 2025. That means you’ll typically only pay MPF and, if arriving by ocean, HMF.
How do I decide between 0306.16 and 0306.17 for shrimp?
Start with species. Cold‑water shrimp species fall under 0306.16. Warm‑water species like vannamei or black tiger fall under 0306.17 when raw and frozen. Shell status and IQF/block don’t flip you between those two headings.
Do MPF and HMF apply to shrimp imports, and how are they calculated?
Yes. MPF is 0.3464% of entered value, subject to CBP’s annual minimum and maximum. HMF is 0.125% for ocean entries only. Example on a $30,000 shipment by sea: MPF ≈ $103.92, HMF = $37.50.
Are there antidumping or countervailing duties on Indonesian shrimp?
As of early 2025, there are no active AD/CVD orders on frozen warmwater shrimp from Indonesia. Check the scope before each entry. We verify via the DOC/ITC AD/CVD databases and with the customs broker.
Does the HTS code change if the shrimp is cooked or breaded?
Yes. Cooked or breaded shrimp are generally in Chapter 16, not Chapter 03. Different 10‑digit lines and potentially different duty treatments apply. This guide focuses on raw, frozen shrimp.
Is the tariff different for farmed vs wild shrimp from Indonesia?
Not for the base MFN rate under 0306.17. Both are typically Free. Farmed vs wild does matter for documentation and sustainability claims.
When this advice applies (and when it doesn’t)
This playbook fits raw, frozen vannamei or black tiger from Indonesia, shipped to the US. If your product is cooked, breaded, sauced, or value‑added, you’re likely in Chapter 16 and need a different analysis. If you’re shipping to the EU/UK, their CN codes and rates differ.
Resources and next steps
- HTSUS official search. Read 0306 and your 10‑digit line notes. Don’t rely on summaries.
- CBP CROSS rulings. Search for “frozen peeled vannamei” to see how CBP has ruled on similar forms.
- AD/CVD scope tools. Confirm there’s no active order covering your product and origin.
- Quick tip. Build a 1‑page spec sheet that mirrors your chosen 10‑digit language. We do this for every Frozen Shrimp (Black Tiger, Vannamei & Wild Caught) order to keep the paper trail clean.
If you want a second set of eyes on your spec and fee math before booking space, Contact us on whatsapp. A 10‑minute review now beats a 10‑day hold later.