1605.58 - Snails, other than sea snails:

This HTS classification, 1605.58, pertains to prepared or preserved snails, excluding sea snails. This broad category encompasses various forms of snail meat that have undergone processing such as canning, cooking, or drying, and are intended for consumption. The key differentiator is the exclusion of marine gastropods, focusing instead on freshwater or terrestrial snail species.

Distinguishing 1605.58 from its sibling categories is crucial. While other headings within 1605.5 cover prepared oysters, scallops, mussels, cuttlefish, squid, and octopus, this specific heading isolates snail preparations. It is important to note that while sea snails are excluded from this heading, other molluscs such as clams or abalone, if prepared or preserved, would fall under different specific subheadings within Chapter 16 based on their taxonomic classification.

The subcategories within 1605.58 provide further refinement. The subheading 1605.58.05.00 is reserved for products that, while containing snail meat, are primarily classified as containing fish meat or are presented as prepared meals. This indicates that the dominant component or the overall product's presentation dictates its classification in such cases. The residual category, 1605.58.55.00, covers all other preparations of snails (non-sea snails) that do not fit into the more specific prepared meal or fish-meat containing classifications.