Loading...
HSChapter 05
U.S. imports of coral, mollusc shells, and similar unworked marine materials (HS 050800) totaled $514K in April 2026, traded with 24 countries.
Importers of Coral, Mollusc Shells, and Similar Unworked Marine Materials paid $38K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 19% on $205K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Coral, Mollusc Shells, and Similar Unworked Marine Materials imports of $514K in April 2026 ran 33% below the year-to-date monthly average of $766K.
Last updated: April 2026 dataUnworked coral, shells of molluscs and crustaceans, cuttlebone, and their powder and waste serve as raw materials for jewelry, decorative arts, aquarium trade, and calcium supplement manufacturing. Indonesia leads US imports under this heading, with China and Australia also significant sources—a supplier profile reflecting the Indo-Pacific's rich marine biodiversity and established shell-collection industries. CITES Appendix II listings cover many coral species, requiring export permits from the country of origin, and the US Lacey Act may apply if the material was harvested in violation of source-country law.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Most stony corals (Order Scleractinia) and several other coral groups are listed under CITES Appendix II, meaning commercial export requires a permit from the source country's CITES Management Authority. Importers must present valid CITES export permits at the US port of entry; shipments without proper documentation are subject to seizure by US Fish and Wildlife Service. Soft corals and certain other marine invertebrates may have different listing statuses, so species-level verification is essential.
The Lacey Act prohibits the import of wildlife, including marine invertebrates, taken in violation of the laws of the source country. For shells and coral, this means importers must exercise due diligence to ensure that harvest and export complied with local regulations—particularly in countries with protected-area restrictions or harvest quotas. Importers should obtain supplier declarations and, where possible, chain-of-custody documentation to demonstrate legal sourcing.
Supplier Network
Get discovered by U.S. importers searching for HS 050800 — Coral, Mollusc Shells, and Similar Unworked Marine Materials. Be the first supplier listed.
Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0508000000 | CORAL, SHELL OF MOLLUSCS ETC UNWORKED POWDER/WASTE | $514K | 18.63% | $38K |
CORAL, SHELL OF MOLLUSCS ETC UNWORKED POWDER/WASTE
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0508000000 | CORAL, SHELL OF MOLLUSCS ETC UNWORKED POWDER/WASTE | $213K |
CORAL, SHELL OF MOLLUSCS ETC UNWORKED POWDER/WASTE
233.0K kg
DEAD HORSES, SWINE ETC (INEDIBLE) & PRODUCTS NESOI
HS 051199
PRODUCTS & DEAD FISH, MOLLUSCS ETC, INEDIBLE NESOI
HS 051191
ANIMAL (NOT FISH) GUTS, BLADDERS, STOMACHS & PARTS
HS 050400
DOWN FOR STUFFING CLEANED/DISINFECT TREAT FOR PRES
HS 050510
BOVINE SEMEN
HS 051110
POWDER AND WASTE OF BONES AND HORN-CORES, NESOI
HS 050690
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $202K | $68K | -$135K |
| Florida | $105K | -- | -$105K |
| New York | $47K | $19K | -$28K |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CA | $100K | $8K | -$92K |
| MIAMI, FL | $68K | -- | -$68K |
| LOS ANGELES, CA | $59K | -- | -$59K |