HS code 0306.17 covers Frozen shrimps & prawns — for example frozen prawns, shrimps. South Africa applies an indicative general customs duty of 0%, on top of which 15% import VAT is charged.
Worked example: landed cost on R100,000 of goods
| Customs value (CIF) | R100,000 |
| Customs duty (0%) | R0 |
| Import VAT (15% on ATV) | R16,500 |
| Estimated landed cost | R116,500 |
VAT is charged on the Added Tax Value (customs value + 10% upliftment for non-SACU imports + duties). Figures exclude clearing, freight and any anti-dumping/safeguard duty. For an exact, all-in figure use the Duty & VAT Calculator.
Where HS 0306.17 sits in the tariff
Classification is decided at heading level first. Heading 0306 is “Crustaceans; in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, steamed or boiled, whether or not chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine”. If your product is closer to one of the neighbouring subheadings below, that line — and its duty rate — is the one that applies.
- 0306.11 Crustaceans; frozen, rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water
- 0306.12 Crustaceans; frozen, lobsters (Homarus spp.), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water
- 0306.14 Crustaceans; frozen, crabs, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water
- 0306.15 Crustaceans; frozen, Norway lobsters (Nephrops norvegicus), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water
- 0306.16 Crustaceans; frozen, cold-water shrimps and prawns (Pandalus spp., Crangon crangon), in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water
- 0306.17 Crustaceans; frozen, shrimps and prawns, excluding cold-water varieties, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water — this page
- 0306.19 Crustaceans; frozen, n.e.c. in item no. 0306.1, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water
- 0306.31 Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), in shell or not
- 0306.32 Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, lobsters (Homarus spp.), whether in shell or not
- 0306.33 Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, crabs, whether in shell or not
- 0306.34 Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, Norway lobsters (Nephrops norvegicus), in shell or not
- 0306.35 Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, cold-water shrimps and prawns (Pandalus spp., Crangon crangon), in shell or not
- 0306.36 Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, shrimps and prawns excluding cold-water varieties, in shell or not
- 0306.39 Crustaceans; live, fresh or chilled, n.e.c. in item no. 0306.3, in shell or not
- 0306.91 Crustaceans; rock lobsters and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.), smoked, cooked or not, whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked before or during smoking
- 0306.92 Crustaceans; lobsters (Homarus spp.), smoked, cooked or not, whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked before or during smoking
- 0306.93 Crustaceans; crabs, smoked, cooked or not, whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked before or during smoking
- 0306.94 Crustaceans; Norway lobsters (Nephrops norvegicus), smoked, cooked or not, whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked before or during smoking
- 0306.95 Crustaceans; shrimps and prawns, smoked, cooked or not, whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked before or during smoking
- 0306.99 Crustaceans; smoked, whole, cooked or not, n.e.c. in item no. 0306.9, in shell or not
Harmonised System HS 2022 nomenclature. See the whole of Chapter 03 →
Watch HS 0306.17 for changes
Duty rates, anti-dumping measures and permit rules change by Government Gazette. We’ll email you if this code’s status shifts.
Data current as of 2026-08-06. Indicative general (MFN) rate — real duty can differ at 8-digit level, under trade agreements (SADC, EU-EPA) and by Government Gazette. This is guidance, not a tariff determination under s47(9) of the Customs & Excise Act, 1964. Verify against the current SARS Tariff Book.
More codes in Chapter 03 — Fish, crustaceans & molluscs
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty on frozen shrimps & prawns in South Africa?
HS code 0306.17 (Frozen shrimps & prawns) attracts an indicative general customs duty of 0% in South Africa, plus 15% import VAT charged on the Added Tax Value. Verify the exact rate in the current SARS Tariff Book.
What is the HS code for frozen prawns?
The Harmonised System heading for frozen shrimps & prawns is 0306.17. South Africa uses an 8-digit tariff line based on this heading — confirm the precise 8-digit code in the SARS Tariff Book before importing.