CLA-2:05:OT:RR:NC:N5:231
Mr. Davin Lee
Beiko Co., Ltd.
35, Nakdongnam-ro 1013beon-gil, 1F
Gangseo-gu, Busan, 46717
South Korea
RE: The tariff classification of Freeze-Dried Worms from South Korea
Dear Mr. Lee:
In your letter dated September 21, 2026, you requested a tariff classification ruling.
The subject merchandise is Freeze-Dried Worms. The product consists of whole, dead, farm-raised
freeze-dried Perinereis aibuhitensis, a species of marine polychaete worm containing no added ingredients.
The product is packaged and sold solely for use as recreational fishing bait and is not intended for human
consumption or for use as animal feed. The product will be imported into the United States in retail
packaging for commercial sale as recreational fishing bait, including anticipated fulfillment by Amazon
(FBA).
The applicable subheading for the Freeze-Dried Worms will be 0511.91.0090, Harmonized Tariff Schedule
of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for: “Animal products not elsewhere specified or included;
dead animals of chapter 1 or 3 unfit for human consumption: Other: Products of fish or crustaceans, molluscs
or other aquatic invertebrates; dead animals of chapter 3: Other.” The general rate of duty will be free.
The duties cited above are current as of this ruling’s issuance. Duty rates are provided for your convenience
and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided
at https://hts.usitc.gov/.
These goods may also be subject to regulations or restrictions administered by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Division (APHIS). You may contact that agency regarding possible
applicable regulations at the following location:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
APHIS, VS, NCIE
Products Program
4700 River Road, Unit 40
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231
Telephone number: (301) 734-3277
This ruling does not address the applicability of any additional duties, taxes, fees, exactions and/or other
charges, which may apply to the goods discussed herein. This includes, but is not limited to, tariffs and other
duties as provided for in Subchapter III to Chapter 99, HTSUS. Thus, for example, in addition to the
classification stated above, the merchandise covered by this ruling may also need to be reported with either
the Chapter 99 provision under which an additional tariff applies or one of the Chapter 99 provisions
covering exceptions to such tariffs.
For further information to assist with the importation process, please refer to the frequently updated Cargo
Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) messages at
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/automated/cargo-systems-messaging-service and the Trade Remedies page at
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/trade-remedies.
The holding set forth above applies only to the specific factual situation and merchandise description as
identified in the ruling request. This position is clearly set forth in Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), Section 177.9(b)(1). This section states that a ruling letter is issued on the assumption that all of the
information furnished in the ruling letter, whether directly, by reference, or by implication, is accurate and
complete in every material respect. In the event that the facts are modified in any way, or if the goods do not
conform to these facts at time of importation, you should bring this to the attention of U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) and submit a request for a new ruling in accordance with 19 CFR 177.2.
Additionally, we note that the material facts described in the foregoing ruling may be subject to periodic
verification by CBP.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs and Border Protection
Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).
A copy of the ruling or the control number indicated above should be provided with the entry documents
filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If you have any questions regarding the ruling, please contact
National Import Specialist Ekeng Manczuk at [email protected].
Sincerely,
(for)
James P. Forkan
Director
National Commodity Specialist Division