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BBoreal Trade

Atlantic Lobster: export from Canada to Southeast Asia

Atlantic lobster is Canada's highest-profile seafood export and the format decision determines everything downstream. Live lobster is a logistics product: airfreighted, with mortality risk priced in and a supply chain that has to hold temperature and handling end to end. Frozen whole, frozen tails and processed meat are sea-freight products with entirely different economics.

Grading is by size band and by hard or soft shell, and hard shell is what travels. Soft-shell product carries lower meat yield and does not survive a long chain, which is why season matters commercially and not just biologically: the fishery runs in defined seasons by area, and what is available in hard shell shifts through the year.

For buyers new to the trade, the honest guidance is that live lobster is not a beginner's product on a long route. Frozen tails and processed meat give you the origin story and the eating quality without a mortality clock.

Specify size band, shell condition and format. Establishment and consignment requirements for the destination should be confirmed before a first shipment is planned.

Canadian export requirements

HS classification
0306.12 (Lobsters (Homarus spp.)) frozen (live, fresh or chilled falls in 0306.32)
CFIA certificates
Certificate of Origin and Hygiene (CFIA/ACIA 5003)

Six-market position

MarketMFN dutyPreferentialRegistration category
Vietnam27%Free (CPTPP)On request
Thailand20%None: no agreement in forceOn request
Philippines10%None: no agreement in forceOn request
Indonesia5%None: CEPA signed, not in forceOn request
MalaysiaFreeFree (CPTPP)On request
SingaporeFreeFree (CPTPP)On request

MFN duty is the destination's applied general rate for this tariff line. Preferential is the rate under an agreement in force between Canada and that market.

Both are customs duty only: destination excise, value-added tax and local levies are additional and are not shown here.

Available on request: send your specification and destination and we'll confirm within five working days.

Commercial terms

Producing provinces
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
Seasonality
Seasonal by fishing area; hard-shell availability shifts through the year
Pack formats
Live airfreight cartons, Frozen cartons, Vacuum-packed tails
Container configuration
On request
Indicative MOQ
On request

Common questions

What is the HS code for atlantic lobster?
0306.12 (Lobsters (Homarus spp.)) frozen (live, fresh or chilled falls in 0306.32). This was read from Canada Border Services Agency on 2026-09-01. The first six digits are the same in every country that uses the Harmonised System; digits beyond that are set by the destination.
What is the import duty on Canadian atlantic lobster in Vietnam?
The most-favoured-nation rate Vietnam applies is 27%. Preferential treatment: Free (CPTPP). This was read from Government of Canada, BDC and EDC on 2026-09-01. Duty is one line of a landed cost, and registration and certification usually cost more than it does.
What is the import duty on Canadian atlantic lobster in Thailand?
The most-favoured-nation rate Thailand applies is 20%. Preferential treatment: None: no agreement in force. Duty is one line of a landed cost, and registration and certification usually cost more than it does.
What is the import duty on Canadian atlantic lobster in the Philippines?
The most-favoured-nation rate the Philippines applies is 10%. Preferential treatment: None: no agreement in force. Duty is one line of a landed cost, and registration and certification usually cost more than it does.
What is the import duty on Canadian atlantic lobster in Indonesia?
The most-favoured-nation rate Indonesia applies is 5%. Preferential treatment: None: CEPA signed, not in force. Duty is one line of a landed cost, and registration and certification usually cost more than it does.
What is the import duty on Canadian atlantic lobster in Malaysia?
The most-favoured-nation rate Malaysia applies is Free. Preferential treatment: Free (CPTPP). Duty is one line of a landed cost, and registration and certification usually cost more than it does.
What is the import duty on Canadian atlantic lobster in Singapore?
The most-favoured-nation rate Singapore applies is Free. Preferential treatment: Free (CPTPP). Duty is one line of a landed cost, and registration and certification usually cost more than it does.

Sources

Last reviewed: September 1, 2026