HSN Code for Shrimp Export – 03061720 Vannamei & 03061710 GST Rate, RoDTEP & MPEDA Rules

India is the world’s largest exporter of shrimp, with annual exports valued at over USD 7 billion to markets across the USA, EU, Japan, China, and the Middle East. Shrimp (prawns) are farmed in coastal states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Gujarat, then processed and exported frozen as a premium protein product.

If you farm, process, or export shrimp, understanding the correct HSN code is essential for GST invoicing, shipping bills, MPEDA compliance, and RoDTEP benefit claims. This guide covers the two primary codes – 03061720 for Vannamei shrimp and 03061710 for other farmed shrimp – along with GST rate, export policy, MPEDA requirements, and RoDTEP applicability.

What Are Shrimp (Prawns)?

Shrimp (also called prawns) are crustacean shellfish farmed in aquaculture ponds in coastal India. They are harvested, cleaned, sorted by size, frozen (typically tail-on or head-off), and exported globally as a high-value seafood product.

India’s shrimp farming is dominated by two main species: White-legged shrimp (Penaeus vannamei, or “Vannamei”) and Black Tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Vannamei accounts for over 80% of India’s farmed shrimp production and exports due to higher stocking density, faster growth, and lower disease risk.

HSN Code for Shrimp Export – Two Primary Codes

Shrimp HSN classification depends on the species farmed. India’s two main export codes are:

HSN 03061720 – Vannamei Shrimp (White-Legged)

Level	Code	Description
Chapter	03	Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates
Heading	0306	Crustaceans (shrimps, prawns, lobsters, crabs)
Sub-heading	030617	Shrimps and prawns – whether or not in shell
8-digit Option 1	03061720	Penaeus vannamei (white-legged shrimp) – frozen

Use 03061720 for:

• White-legged shrimp (Vannamei) – farmed species
• Frozen shrimp in any form – tail-on, head-off, peeled, deveined
• All sizes and grades of Vannamei shrimp
• The majority of India’s shrimp exports (80%+ volume)

HSN 03061710 – Other Farmed Shrimp (Black Tiger & Others)

Level	Code	Description
Chapter	03	Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates
Heading	0306	Crustaceans (shrimps, prawns, lobsters, crabs)
Sub-heading	030617	Shrimps and prawns – whether or not in shell
8-digit Option 2	03061710	Other shrimps and prawns (Black Tiger, other species) – frozen

Use 03061710 for:

• Black Tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) – farmed species
• Other farmed shrimp species not Vannamei
• Frozen in any form – tail-on, head-off, peeled, deveined
• Premium/specialty shrimp varieties

Quick Decision Guide

Shrimp Species	HSN Code	India Production Share	Export Grade
Vannamei (white-legged)	03061720	80%+	Standard grades (20-count, 30-count, etc.)
Black Tiger (monodon)	03061710	15-20%	Premium, larger sizes (10-count, 15-count)
Other species	03061710	<5%	Specialty / regional variants

Risk Management: 2026 Export Tip: Ensure every batch is tested in an EIA-approved lab for Nitrofurans and Chloramphenicol. US-FDA and EU customs perform random ‘Point of Entry’ testing; one rejection can lead to a ‘Risk Alert’ on your IEC.

The practical test: Ask your farm supplier or processor which species your shrimp are. “Vannamei” = 03061720. “Black Tiger” or any other = 03061710. Never guess based on size or appearance – species is the deciding factor.

For detailed guidance on aquatic product HSN codes: ITC-HS Code: How to Find the Right 8-Digit Export Code in India (2026)

GST Rate on Shrimp

GST rate: 5% (for both 03061720 and 03061710)

Transaction Type	Rate
Domestic B2B supply (fresh/frozen)	IGST 5%
Domestic B2C retail	IGST 5%
Interstate trade	IGST 5%
Export	Zero-rated (LUT)

Shrimp under both HSN codes attract 5% GST for domestic supply – the concessional rate applied to most seafood and aquatic products. This applies uniformly to all shrimp sales, regardless of species, size, or processing form (tail-on, head-off, peeled).

GST 2.0 Note: The 5% rate for seafood products (Chapter 03) has remained stable through the post-September 2025 GST 2.0 revision. Verify on cbic-gst.gov.in before invoicing to confirm no changes to aquatic product GST treatment.

For exports, IGST is zero-rated. Filing a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) before each financial year is standard practice for shrimp exporters – this allows shipment without paying IGST upfront and is critical for managing cash flow on large bulk orders. Read: What is LUT in GST – How to File Form RFD-11 Before March 31

Export Policy for Shrimp

Export Policy: FREE

Shrimp exports are classified under the Free export category as per Schedule II of India’s ITC-HS Export Policy. This means:

• No export licence required for farmed shrimp
• No quantity or value restriction on exports
• No prior DGFT approval needed
• A valid IEC (Importer Exporter Code) is the only mandatory baseline requirement to export

MPEDA Registration – Mandatory for Shrimp Exports: While the export policy is Free, registration with MPEDA (Marine Products Export Development Authority) is mandatory for all shrimp exporters in India. This is not optional. MPEDA registration is required to:

• Obtain Export Registration Certificate (ERC) for shrimp exports
• Access international market prices and export data
• Participate in MPEDA-supported trade fairs and buyer connections
• File export customs bills correctly with port authorities
• Comply with seafood safety and traceability regulations

Shrimp exporters without MPEDA registration face customs clearance delays and cannot export. Registering with MPEDA is available through their online portal (mpeda.gov.in) and is a straightforward process for aquaculture farms and processing units.

Check our 2026 Checklist of Export Documents to ensure your paperwork is error-free.

Food Safety & Traceability: International buyers (especially USA and EU importers) require strict compliance with seafood safety standards: HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), FDA registration (for US exports), and EU food traceability requirements. These are buyer-side requirements, not Indian legal requirements, but failure to meet them will block shipments at destination ports.

Antibiotic Residue Testing: Shrimp exports face routine testing for antibiotic residues (especially from USA and EU) – residue detection can result in complete shipment rejection and long-term buyer blacklisting. Exporters must maintain strict zero-antibiotic protocols in farms and processing facilities.

If you are a shrimp exporter setting up exports for the first time, IEC registration is your starting point: What is IEC Code – How to Apply for Import Export Code in India (2026)

RoDTEP and Duty Drawback for Shrimp Exports

RoDTEP: Shrimp under both ITC-HS 03061720 and 03061710 are covered under India’s RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) scheme. The applicable rate is notified by DGFT and revised periodically. Always check the current RoDTEP schedule at dgft.gov.in before filing your shipping bill – RoDTEP rates for seafood have been revised multiple times since scheme launch.

Duty Drawback: Shrimp exporters using imported inputs – such as imported feed, imported processing chemicals, imported packaging materials, or imported machinery parts – may be eligible for All Industry Rate (AIR) drawback on customs duty paid for those inputs. Confirm the applicable drawback schedule with your CHA.

Working Capital Impact: Shrimp exports typically involve large bulk orders (containers) with long production cycles (farm to harvest to processing to cold storage to export). RoDTEP and drawback claims come post-shipment, creating a working capital gap – exporters must factor this into their operational cash flow planning.

Your export invoice must correctly state the applicable ITC-HS code (03061720 or 03061710), IEC, GSTIN, MPEDA registration number, LUT or bond reference, and declared FOB value in foreign currency. Missing MPEDA registration or incorrect fields can delay RoDTEP credit. Use the Export Invoice Generator to create a fully compliant India-specific export invoice – with all mandatory GST, MPEDA, and customs fields built in.

Who Searches for HSN Code 03061720?

This article is relevant for:

• Aquaculture farmers in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Gujarat filing GST returns on shrimp sales
• Shrimp processing units and exporters preparing commercial invoices and shipping bills for international buyers
• Seafood trading companies consolidating shrimp from multiple farms for bulk export
• MSME processors value-adding shrimp through peeling, deveining, and specialty processing for premium export markets
• CAs and compliance consultants advising aquaculture and seafood sector clients on HSN classification and MPEDA compliance

Practical example: An aquaculture farm in Andhra Pradesh harvests Vannamei shrimp, processes and freezes them tail-on, and receives an export order from a seafood distributor in the USA. They confirm MPEDA registration is current, classify the shipment under ITC-HS 03061720, file a shipping bill, conduct antibiotic residue testing per FDA requirements, reference their LUT on the commercial invoice to export without IGST, and claim RoDTEP credit post-shipment via ICEGATE.

Shrimp Varieties & Regional Production – Local Names

India’s shrimp farming is concentrated in specific coastal regions, each known for particular species and processing styles. While these regional varieties use the same HSN codes (03061720 for Vannamei, 03061710 for others), understanding the regional context helps exporters communicate with suppliers and buyers:

Region	Primary Species / Local Name	Farming Area / District	Processing Style / Export Grade
Andhra Pradesh	Vannamei (White Shrimp) / “AP Vannamei”	Nellore, Tirupati, Krishna, East/West Godavari	Largest producer; tail-on, head-off, peeled
Tamil Nadu	Vannamei & Black Tiger / “TN Shrimp”	Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Villupuram	Premium grades; specialty processing
West Bengal	Black Tiger (Monodon) / “Sundarbans Tiger”	South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas	Organic-marketed; selective harvest
Gujarat	Vannamei & others / “Gujarat Shrimp”	Valsad, Navsari, Surat districts	High-density farming; bulk export

These regional branding and local names (AP Vannamei, Sundarbans Tiger, etc.) do not change the HSN code – but they are marketing and sourcing terms that appear in buyer specifications, farm supply agreements, and export documentation. Exporters should be familiar with them for international buyer communication.

⭐ Expert Tip (Avadhut Taru): The biggest risk in shrimp export is Antioxidant/Antibiotic Residue. If your shipment is rejected by US-FDA or EU customs due to “Nitrofurans,” your company could be blacklisted. Always conduct independent lab testing through an EIA-approved lab before the goods reach the port.

• For USA exports, the DS-2031 Certificate is mandatory to prove the shrimp were harvested without harming sea turtles. Without this, your container will not clear US customs.

Frequently Asked Questions