0309 - Flours, meals and pellets of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, fit for human consumption:

Heading 0309 encompasses flours, meals, and pellets derived from fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates. These products are specifically intended for human consumption. This means that products intended for animal feed or industrial use, even if derived from similar aquatic sources, would be classified elsewhere. The key determining factor for classification under 0309 is the suitability for human consumption.

Distinguishing this heading from its siblings at the Chapter 3 level (which generally covers live fish and aquatic invertebrates) is straightforward. While Chapter 3 broadly deals with aquatic life, Heading 0309 focuses on processed forms of these organisms that have undergone milling or pelletizing into a food-grade product. Sibling headings in Chapter 3 will typically cover live or fresh/chilled/frozen fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates that have not been processed into flour, meal, or pellet form.

Within Heading 0309, further subdivision is based on the primary source of the aquatic invertebrate. Subheading 0309.10 specifically covers products derived from fish. Subheading 0309.90 serves as a residual category for flours, meals, and pellets originating from crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates not classified under 0309.10. This ensures a precise classification based on the specific type of aquatic organism processed.