0302.89.50.61 - Grouper

This HTS subheading, 0302.89.50.61, specifically classifies fresh or chilled grouper. Within Chapter 3, which covers fish and fish roe, this code falls under the broader category of "Fish, fresh or chilled, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304." It further refines this by focusing on "Other fish," excluding edible fish offal, and then within that, "Other" types of fish not otherwise specified.

To differentiate this category from its siblings, it's important to note that while they all represent fresh or chilled fish, each sibling subheading targets a distinct species or group of species. For example, 0302.89.50.37 covers smelts, 0302.89.50.52 classifies sable fish, and others may specify shad and sturgeon. Subheading 0302.89.50.61 is exclusively for grouper, which is distinct from these other specified fish types based on biological classification and common trade identification.

As this subheading represents a leaf node in the HTS database, there are no further subdivisions or subcategories. Therefore, the classification hinges on the accurate identification of the fish as belonging to the grouper family (Serranidae). This means that any fresh or chilled fish meeting the general criteria of Chapter 3 and the higher-level subheadings, but specifically identified as grouper, will be classified under 0302.89.50.61.