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HSChapter 16
U.S. imports of prepared or preserved eels, whole or in pieces, not minced (HS 160417) totaled $3.5M in April 2026, traded with 8 countries.
Importers of Prepared or Preserved Eels, Whole or in Pieces, Not Minced paid $1.2M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 38% on $3.2M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Prepared or Preserved Eels, Whole or in Pieces, Not Minced imports of $3.5M in April 2026 ran 22% above the year-to-date monthly average of $2.9M.
Last updated: April 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.
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.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINA | $3.1M | -- | -$3.1M |
| CANADA | $271K | $32K | -$239K |
| TAIWAN | $55K | -- | -$55K |
| JAPAN | $35K | -- | -$35K |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $27K | -- | -$27K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1604171000 | EELS, IN AIRTIGHT CONTAINERS | $2.6M | 38.36% | $1.0M |
| 1604178000 | EELS WHOLE/PIECES NT MINCED, PREPARED/PRESRV, NES | $376K | 37.22% | $140K |
| 1604174000 | EEL FISH STICKS ETC BREADED/CTED, NOT COOK,NO OIL | $271K | -- | -- |
| 1604176000 | EELS NT MINCED, IN OIL, BULK CNTRS OV 7KG EA | $206K | 35.00% | $72K |
| 1604175000 | EEL STICKS, FILLETS ETC, BREADED/COATED ETC NESOI | $9K | 17.50% | $2K |
EELS, IN AIRTIGHT CONTAINERS
EELS WHOLE/PIECES NT MINCED, PREPARED/PRESRV, NES
EEL FISH STICKS ETC BREADED/CTED, NOT COOK,NO OIL
EELS NT MINCED, IN OIL, BULK CNTRS OV 7KG EA
EEL STICKS, FILLETS ETC, BREADED/COATED ETC NESOI
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1604170000 | EELS WHOLE/PIECES, NOT MINCED, PREP OR PRESERVED | $52K |
EELS WHOLE/PIECES, NOT MINCED, PREP OR PRESERVED
17.8K kg
TUNAS, SKIPJACK TUNA AND BONITO, PREP OR PRESERVED
HS 160414
SHRIMP & PRAWNS PREP/PRESERVED NOT AIRTIGHT CONTNR
HS 160521
PREPARED OR PRESERVED BOVINE MEAT ETC. NESOI
HS 160250
CRAB, PREPARED OR PRESERVED
HS 160510
PREPARED OR PRESERVED CHICKEN MEAT OR OFFAL, NESOI
HS 160232
SALMON, PREPARED OR PRESERVED, WHOLE OR PIECES
HS 160411
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $2.2M | $49K | -$2.1M |
| New York | $811K | -- | -$811K |
| New Jersey | $363K | -- | -$363K |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOS ANGELES, CA | $1.9M | $17K | -$1.9M |
| NEWARK, NJ | $1.1M | -- | -$1.1M |
| PORT HURON, MI | $271K | -- | -$271K |