0308.30.00.00 - Jellyfish (Rhopilema spp.)

This HTS category, 0308.30.00.00, specifically classifies jellyfish belonging to the genus Rhoplema. These aquatic invertebrates, when presented live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or in brine, fall under this subheading. It also encompasses jellyfish that have been smoked, whether or not they were cooked prior to or during the smoking process. The defining characteristic for classification here is the biological identity as jellyfish, specifically of the Rhoplema genus, within the broader scope of non-crustacean, non-mollusc aquatic invertebrates.

Within the parent category of "Aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans and molluscs," this subheading distinguishes itself from its siblings by its specific focus on jellyfish. The sibling categories cover sea cucumbers (Stichopus japonicus, Holothuroidea) and sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp., Paracentrotus lividus, Loxechinus albus, Echinus esculentus). Therefore, the key differentiator is the taxonomic classification; products identified as sea cucumbers or sea urchins would not be classified under this subheading, even if they are also non-crustacean, non-mollusc aquatic invertebrates.

As this subheading represents a leaf node in the HTS classification system, there are no further subdivisions into subcategories. Classification ends at this level with the identification of jellyfish (Rhopilema spp.) in their various preparations. When classifying goods, customs officials will verify that the product is indeed a jellyfish of the specified genus and is presented in one of the permitted forms (live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, in brine, or smoked) to assign it to this specific HTS code.