U.S. imports of fresh or chilled sardines, sardinella, brislings & sprats (whole, excluding fillets, livers & roes) (HS 030243) totaled $25K in August 2026, imported from 6 countries.
Fresh or Chilled Sardines, Sardinella, Brislings & Sprats (Whole, Excluding Fillets, Livers & Roes) imports of $25K in August 2026 ran 103% above the year-to-date monthly average of $12K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataCovering four distinct small pelagic species groups — Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp., Sardinella spp., and Sprattus sprattus (brislings/sprats) — this heading captures a range of products used in foodservice, canning feedstock, and specialty retail. Canada leads US supply, with Portugal and Spain contributing European sardine varieties that differ in fat profile and size from Pacific sardinops. FDA seafood HACCP requirements govern entry, and the heading's exclusion of fillets means whole or gutted presentation is the defining characteristic for classification. Seasonal availability is pronounced: European sardine runs peak in summer and autumn, affecting import timing from Iberian suppliers.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
7 shipments/mo
The heading covers multiple species by scientific name: true sardines (Sardina pilchardus and Sardinops spp.), sardinella (Sardinella spp.), and brislings or sprats (Sprattus sprattus). All are classified under the same HTS heading when presented fresh or chilled and whole (excluding fillets, livers, and roes). If a shipment contains a mix of these species, the entry should reflect the predominant species by weight, and commercial invoices should identify species clearly to facilitate CBP review.
European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) from Portugal and Spain reaches peak fat content and commercial availability in late summer through autumn, aligning with traditional fishing seasons. Outside this window, supply tightens and prices rise, prompting some buyers to shift to Canadian or South American sources. Importers planning year-round programs should build supplier diversification into their procurement strategy to manage seasonal gaps.
HSChapter 03
Subheading 30 of 44 in heading 0302
Subheading 030243 · $25K of $241.8M
Trade Directory
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HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0302430000 | Sardines Etc, Fr/Ch, Exc Fillets, Livers and Roes | $25K | 11.04% | 100.00% | $3K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0302430000 | Sardines Etc, Fr/Ch, Exc Fillets, Livers and Roes | $21K |
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.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Portugal and Philippines together supply 71% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
duty collected equals 11.04% of total import value.
ImportsExports
Imports
$25KYoY · free account
Exports
$21KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
YoY · free accountFewer than 6 of the last 12 months reported trade above $500K; the trend chart is not shown for thin series.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.