U.S. imports of nile perch & snakeheads, fresh or chilled (lates niloticus & channa spp.) (HS 030279) totaled $0 in December 2025, traded with 2 countries.
Last updated: December 2025 dataHeading 030279 groups two biologically unrelated but commercially distinct species: Nile perch (Lates niloticus), a large predatory fish from African freshwater systems widely exported as fillets and whole fish, and snakeheads (Channa spp.), an Asian freshwater species with a significant ethnic-market consumer base in the US. Two 10-digit lines apply: 0302790000 (general, excluding fillets/livers/roes) and 0302795076 (snakeheads specifically, NESOI). India and South Korea are the leading import sources. Snakeheads are classified as injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act, making their importation subject to US Fish & Wildlife Service permit requirements in addition to FDA admissibility review — a critical compliance point that distinguishes this heading from most other fresh fish categories.
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Snakehead fish (Channa spp.) are listed as injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. § 42), which generally prohibits their importation and interstate transport without a permit from the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Importers should obtain legal guidance and any required federal permits before attempting to import snakeheads, as violations carry significant penalties. FDA admissibility requirements apply separately and do not substitute for Lacey Act compliance.
Nile perch from East African lake fisheries (primarily Lake Victoria) is a mainstream export commodity traded globally, with India appearing as a processing and re-export hub. Snakehead trade, by contrast, is driven primarily by demand from Asian-American ethnic markets and faces significant federal regulatory barriers under the Lacey Act. The two species serve entirely different market channels despite sharing a tariff heading.
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Imports
$0
from 2 countries · YTD: $94K
Exports: $0
Surplus of $0 (net exporter)
YTD: $94K imported (December 2025)
SHRIMPS AND PRAWNS, FROZEN, NESOI
HS 030617
PACIFIC, ATLANTIC, DANUBE SALMON FILLET FRESH/CHLL
HS 030441
PACIFIC, ATLANTIC AND DANUBE SALMON FILLETS FROZEN
HS 030481
ATLANTIC SALMON AND DANUBE SALMON FRESH OR CHILLED
HS 030214
LOBSTERS, LIVE, FRESH,OR CHILLED
HS 030632
FISH FILLETS, FROZEN, NESOI
HS 030489
Monthly import values over time
No geographic breakdown available
U.S. import values for this product are not broken down by state or port in the latest Census Bureau release.