Lobsters

India/regional specificity

• India’s exportable lobster resource is dominated by spiny lobsters (Panulirus spp.—not the cold-water Homarus) plus some slipper lobsters (Thenus orientalis). Key Indian species: P. homarus, P. polyphagus, P. ornatus, P. versicolor, P. penicillatus, P. longipes. Major coasts/centres include Karnataka–Maharashtra, Gulf of Mannar (TN), Kerala, Lakshadweep.
  

Exports

• Frozen rock lobsters & sea crawfish (HS 030631): India exported ~US$27.1M in 2023, led by China and followed by EU/France, Chinese Taipei, Japan.
  
• Live/fresh/chilled lobsters (Homarus spp., HS 030622) from India are niche (US$3.49M; 116.6 t in 2023), mainly to China & Hong Kong (note: Homarus is not India’s main species; most Indian supply is Panulirus).
  

Quality, formats & strengths

• Formats: live (air-freighted), whole frozen IQF/block, and cooked/chilled tails/whole. MPEDA lists standard pack specs for frozen sand lobster and lobster meat (IQF/block) used by Indian processors.
  
• Handling/temperature: Codex CXC 52-2003 sets HACCP/GMP for fishery products; quick-frozen lobster must reach ≤ –18 °C at the thermal centre; EU Reg. 853/2004 Annex III requires maintenance of cold chain for fresh/cooked crustaceans.
  
• Regulatory assurance for exports: India’s Export Inspection Council (EIC) issues Health Certificates and approves seafood units (including EU-listed plants) for international markets.
  
• Why India: year-round landings across multiple coasts, established processing/QA infrastructure under MPEDA/EIC, and species prized in Asia (e.g., P. homarus from the southwest coast).
  

HS quick map (lobsters)

• Rock/spiny lobsters live/fresh/chilled: 030611; frozen: 030631. Homarus live/fresh/chilled: 030622; frozen: 030632
  

Clams (Bivalves)

India/regional specificity

• India’s flagship clam fishery is short-neck clam from Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala (small-scale, dive/hand dredge). It became India’s first MSC-certified fishery in 2014—a landmark for sustainability—though the certificate is now withdrawn (i.e., no longer in the program today).
  
• Kerala dominates India’s bivalve production; clams are a key component alongside oysters and mussels.
  

Exports

• Clams are exported under HS 0307 (Molluscs)—specifically 0307.71 (live/fresh/chilled clams, cockles & ark shells), 0307.72 (frozen), 0307.79 (dried/salted/brined/smoked). India’s tariff schedule also carries a granular line 03073910 “clams/clam meat (Victoritа/Villorita, Meretrix, Katelysia spp.)” in some datasets. (These are the clearest HS anchors to use on invoices/LCs.)
  
• India’s clam exports are a niche subset within HS 0307; species-level values aren’t published nationally, but shipment-level data confirm active trade under these headings.

Quality/food-safety & buyer requirements

• Live bivalves (India standard): FSSAI requires harvest only from approved/classified areas; otherwise depuration or relaying is mandatory before sale/export. Live bivalves must show freshness and close on percussion; standards also outline defect criteria.
  
• EU model: Production areas are classified A/B/C by E. coli levels; non-A areas require purification (depuration) or relaying before placing on the market/live export.
  
• Microbiological criteria & hygiene: EU microbiological criteria and HACCP/GHP expectations apply to shellfish; India follows Codex CXC 52-2003 for processing hygiene.
  
• Indian export controls: Seafood plants are approved/monitored by EIC, which also issues EU-format Health Certificates. Some facilities operate bivalve depuration pre-processing centres (e.g., a listed depuration centre in Kollam, Kerala serving exports to non-EU markets).
  

Strengths specific to India

• Proven sustainability track record: Ashtamudi’s clam fishery achieved MSC certification (first in India), spotlighting community-based management; CMFRI and partners continue stock enhancement (3 million clam seeds released in Dec 2024) to support recovery.
  
• Science-backed depuration know-how: Indian research defines optimal depuration parameters for tropical bivalves (e.g., ~25–30 °C, 25–35 psu salinity; medium-sized bivalves reach targets faster), helping processors meet EU-style requirements.
  

HS quick map (clams)

• 0307.71 (live/fresh/chilled clams/cockles/ark shells), 0307.72 (frozen), 0307.79 (dried/salted/brined/smoked). India-specific line often seen: 03073910 (clam meat; Villorita/Meretrix/Katelysia spp.).

One-page buyer notes

• Lobsters (Panulirus spp.): quote HS 030631 for frozen; maintain –18 °C core; attach EIC Health Certificate + plant approval; reference Codex CXC 52-2003 and EU 853/2004 cold-chain clauses if selling to EU. Top recent destinations include China and EU/France; 2023 export value for HS 030631 ≈ US$27.1M.
  
• Clams: ensure classified harvest area documentation + depuration/relaying records (per FSSAI Appendix); for EU, align with A/B/C area rules. If selling live, include percussion response/freshness checks in QC records.