Harmonized System
U.S. imports of Prepared or Preserved Eels, Whole or in Pieces, Not Minced (HS 160417) totaled $2.3M in August 2026, imported from 9 countries.
Importers of Prepared or Preserved Eels, Whole or in Pieces, Not Minced paid $915K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 38.95% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Prepared or Preserved Eels, Whole or in Pieces, Not Minced imports of $2.3M in August 2026 ran 19% below the year-to-date monthly average of $2.9M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataChina dominates US imports of prepared and preserved eel under this heading, supplying the Japanese-style unagi (freshwater eel) products — kabayaki-style glazed fillets, airtight-container packs (1604171000), and bulk oil-packed formats in containers over 7 kg (1604176000) — that drive the bulk of commercial volume. The heading also covers breaded or coated eel sticks and fillets, both uncooked (1604174000) and otherwise prepared (1604175000), formats used in sushi and Asian foodservice applications. Eel aquaculture supply chains are concentrated in East Asia, and importers should be aware that eel species identification (European vs. Japanese vs. American eel) can have CITES implications depending on origin and species. FDA seafood HACCP requirements apply; consult a licensed customs broker or FDA-registered importer of record, as eel products from certain origins may be subject to additional admissibility scrutiny.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
47 import shipments a month
European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is listed under CITES Appendix II, meaning trade in products derived from this species requires CITES export permits from the country of origin and may require US Fish & Wildlife Service import documentation. Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica), the species most commonly used in East Asian aquaculture and the dominant commercial product from China, is not currently CITES-listed, but importers should confirm species identity with the foreign supplier to determine whether CITES documentation is required.
Line 1604171000 covers eel in airtight containers — typically retail-sized vacuum-sealed or canned packs — while 1604176000 applies to eel not minced, in oil, in bulk containers over 7 kg each, a format used for foodservice and further processing. The container type and weight must be clearly stated on the commercial invoice; bulk foodservice packs incorrectly entered as retail airtight containers are a common classification error for this commodity.
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 160417 — Prepared or Preserved Eels, Whole or in Pieces, Not Minced, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1604171000 | Eels, In Airtight Containers | $1.4M | 38.50% | 100.00% | $544K |
| 1604178000 | Eels Whole/Pieces Nt Minced, Prepared/Presrv, Nes | $485K | 41.62% | 100.00% | $202K |
| 1604176000 | Eels Nt Minced, In Oil, Bulk Cntrs Ov 7kg Ea | $451K | 37.50% | 100.00% | $169K |
| 1604174000 | Eel Fish Sticks Etc Breaded/Cted, Not Cook, No Oil | — | -- | -- | -- |
| 1604175000 | Eel Sticks, Fillets Etc, Breaded/Coated Etc NESOI | — | -- | -- | -- |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1604170000 | Eels Whole/Pieces, Not Minced, Prep or Preserved | $24K |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Subheading 10 of 12 in heading 1604
Subheading 160417 · $2.3M of $209.3M
Imports · August 2026
origin
China and Japan together supply 95% of it. China pays 41.1% duty; Taiwan 10.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
duty collected equals 38.95% of imports for consumption.
ImportsExports
Imports
$2.3MYoY · free account
Exports
$24KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $32.2M of Prepared or Preserved Eels, Whole or in Pieces, Not Minced and exported $242K.
Through August 2026 · exports 8 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.