Lobster, Prepared or Preserved

The schedule separates water-cooked, out-of-shell frozen lobster meat (1605301010), lobster in airtight containers (1605301020), water-cooked out-of-shell non-frozen meat (1605301030), and general prepared or preserved lobster in airtight containers (1605301050) and other formats (1605301040/1605301090). Products blended with fish meat or sold as prepared meals are classified under 1605300510 or 1605300590.

Canada is by far the leading supplier, owing to the scale of its Atlantic lobster harvest and the proximity of its processing plants to US ports. Japan, Indonesia, Spain, and Nicaragua are secondary sources, often supplying different species or pack formats.

FDA regulates prepared lobster under the Seafood HACCP program; the foreign processor must operate under a validated HACCP plan and the US importer must maintain verification records. Prior notice of food shipment is required. Admissibility and classification are complex — consult a licensed customs broker or FDA for current requirements.