U.S. imports of Prepared or Preserved Sea Cucumbers (HS 160561) totaled $558K in August 2026, imported from 6 countries.
Importers of Prepared or Preserved Sea Cucumbers paid $1K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 0.20% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Prepared or Preserved Sea Cucumbers imports of $558K in August 2026 ran 308% above the year-to-date monthly average of $137K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataSea cucumbers (bêche-de-mer) prepared or preserved occupy a single 10-digit line (1605610000) under this heading, reflecting their status as a distinct and commercially significant product in Asian food markets. Nicaragua and Mexico are the leading US import sources, a supply pattern driven by Pacific coastal fisheries rather than Asian processing hubs — though China also appears among suppliers. Sea cucumber fisheries are subject to management measures in many source countries, and some species may have CITES implications depending on origin. FDA prior notice and HACCP compliance apply; importers should verify admissibility and any applicable fisheries documentation with a licensed customs broker before entry.
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4 import shipments a month
Nicaragua and Mexico have accessible Pacific coastal fisheries for sea cucumber species that are processed and exported to serve demand — largely from Asian-American communities and restaurant channels in the US. The proximity and established trade relationships with these Western Hemisphere sources give them a logistical advantage for the US market, even though sea cucumber consumption is most culturally associated with East and Southeast Asia.
Several sea cucumber species are subject to CITES listings or national export controls due to overfishing concerns. Whether a permit is required depends on the specific species and country of origin. Importers should obtain species identification documentation from their supplier and check current CITES appendix listings before shipment, as enforcement has increased in recent years.
Subheading 14 of 18 in heading 1605
Subheading 160561 · $558K of $310.9M
Imports · August 2026
origin
Nicaragua and Mexico together supply 98% of it. Dominican Republic pays 12.5% duty; Nicaragua 0.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
13.4% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 0.20% of imports for consumption.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1605610000 | Sea Cucumbers, Prepared Ro Preserved | $558K | 0.20% | 86.64% | $1K |
ImportsExports
Imports
$558KYoY · free account
Exports
—YoY · free account
Low of 11 reported months · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $1.5M of Prepared or Preserved Sea Cucumbers and exported $1.8M.
Through August 2026 · imports 11 of 12 months reported, exports 7 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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