0308.11.00.00 - Live, fresh or chilled

This HTS classification, 0308.11.00.00, pertains to live, fresh, or chilled sea cucumbers. These are aquatic invertebrates belonging to the class Holothuroidea, specifically including species such as Stichopus japonicus. The key criterion for classification under this code is the state of the product at the time of importation: it must be alive, or preserved in a fresh or chilled condition. This implies that the product has not undergone any process that would significantly alter its state, such as freezing, drying, or cooking.

This category is distinguished from its sibling, 0308.12.00.00, by the preservation method. While 0308.12.00.00 covers sea cucumbers that have been frozen, 0308.11.00.00 specifically excludes frozen product, focusing solely on those in their immediate post-harvest or unfrozen preserved state. Similarly, it differs from "Other" categories within 0308.19.00.00, which would typically encompass sea cucumbers that have undergone further processing or preservation methods not covered by the specific "live, fresh or chilled" or "frozen" codes.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories under 0308.11.00.00. Therefore, the focus remains on clearly identifying and differentiating products that meet the criteria of being live, fresh, or chilled sea cucumbers, ensuring accurate customs declarations and tariff application.