Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Aquatic Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupMarine invertebrate (Echinoderm: sea star)
Scientific NameAsteroidea (sea stars; multiple species may be used in trade depending on origin and buyer specification)
PerishabilityLow (dried) but highly sensitive to moisture ingress and poor storage hygiene
Growing Conditions- Marine benthic habitats; commonly documented in bays, estuaries, reefs and coastal areas (species- and region-dependent).
Main VarietiesAsterias amurensis (North Pacific seastar) — documented abundance/utilization literature; not necessarily representative of all traded material
Consumption Forms- Dried whole product, typically rehydrated/cooked in markets where it is consumed and legally permitted
Grading Factors- Degree of drying (dryness/moisture control)
- Absence of visible mould and off-odours
- Foreign matter and physical contamination control
- Whole vs. broken pieces and general visual cleanliness
Market
Dried sea star is a niche traded marine invertebrate product whose customs reporting is typically captured within HS heading 0308 (aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans and molluscs), most often under the residual subheading 030890 (“other aquatic invertebrates”), which reduces transparency in public trade statistics. Potential sourcing is linked to coastal fisheries and collection in regions where sea stars are abundant (for example, Asterias amurensis is documented as extremely common along China’s Yellow Sea coast and occurs across parts of the Northwest Pacific). Beyond food use where culturally accepted and legally permitted, sea stars are also documented in research and utilization pathways as a raw material containing bioactive compounds (e.g., collagen and saponins), which can influence demand and utilization narratives. Market dynamics and pricing are therefore highly sensitive to regulatory/biosecurity constraints, heterogeneous product identity under broad HS codes, and episodic marine disease events that can rapidly reduce available biomass.
Major Producing Countries- 중국Sea star resources documented along multiple Chinese coasts; Asterias amurensis described as extremely common along the Yellow Sea coast (species abundance is not the same as trade volume).
- 대한민국Within the documented native range of Asterias amurensis; public trade datasets generally do not isolate “dried sea star” as a distinct commodity line.
Specification
Major VarietiesAsterias amurensis (North Pacific seastar) — one documented species potentially associated with utilization streams; species composition of traded dried sea stars is often not transparently declared in public trade data
Physical Attributes- Uniform dehydration is critical; avoid visible surface mould and off-odours as common dried fishery product defects highlighted in Codex guidance.
Compositional Metrics- Moisture/dryness is a primary commercial parameter because moisture ingress drives mould growth and quality loss in dried seafood products.
Grades- Buyer specifications commonly differentiate whole vs. broken pieces and visual cleanliness; no widely cited international grading standard specific to dried sea stars was identified in the reviewed public sources.
Packaging- Moisture-barrier packaging and humidity control are typically specified for dried fishery products to maintain safety and quality during storage and transit.
ProcessingDrying (and in some supply chains salting) is the primary preservation approach; hazard controls focus on preventing contamination and inadequate drying outcomes.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Wild collection/bycatch or targeted harvest (where permitted) -> washing/cleaning -> (optional) blanching/heat treatment -> drying -> sorting/grading -> moisture-protective packaging -> export distribution
Demand Drivers- Downstream utilization as a raw material for extracts (e.g., collagen and other bioactive compounds) is documented in scientific literature; food-use demand is market-specific and not consistently disaggregated in public trade statistics.
Temperature- Primary control is low humidity and dry storage; avoid conditions that allow rehydration and subsequent mould growth.
Shelf Life- Shelf life is generally long when the product remains dry; quality can deteriorate quickly if moisture ingress enables surface bacteria/mould and other dried-product defects.
Risks
Marine Disease HighLarge-scale sea star wasting disease events can cause rapid mass mortality across wide geographies and multiple species, abruptly reducing biomass available for harvest/collection and increasing the likelihood of emergency management actions and reputational scrutiny.Diversify sourcing away from single ecosystems; monitor marine disease advisories and scientific alerts; require supplier documentation that harvest/collection does not target stressed or protected populations.
Trade Classification MediumDried sea stars are typically embedded in HS 0308 reporting and often fall under HS 030890 (“other aquatic invertebrates”), a residual category that also covers many non-sea-star products; this reduces market transparency and complicates risk screening based on trade statistics.Contract for species identification and product description on invoices/COAs; align internal item masters to HS at the national tariff-line level where possible; supplement customs data with supplier audits and documentation.
Food Safety MediumDried fishery products have recognized risks tied to inadequate drying and post-process moisture uptake, including mould growth and other defects; controls and verification are necessary to meet importer expectations and reduce recalls.Implement HACCP-based controls for drying and storage; verify dryness/moisture targets, hygienic handling, and moisture-barrier packaging; use recognized fishery product codes of practice as the baseline.
Regulatory Compliance MediumSpecies- and jurisdiction-specific rules can restrict possession or movement of certain sea stars (including invasive/noxious listings), creating seizure and non-compliance risks if product identity and origin are not tightly documented.Screen product to the species level where required; confirm legality for harvest, possession, and import in both origin and destination markets; retain traceable documentation for origin waters and chain of custody.
Labor Rights MediumSeafood supply chains face documented forced-labor risks, particularly in contexts where harvesting is conducted at sea with limited oversight; buyers may face regulatory and reputational exposure if sourcing links to labor abuse.Apply seafood labor due diligence (vessel transparency, worker protections, grievance mechanisms); prioritize suppliers with verifiable traceability and third-party audits that include labor indicators.
Sustainability- Marine disease-driven population crashes (e.g., sea star wasting disease) can reduce available biomass and intensify conservation scrutiny.
- Biosecurity and invasive-species restrictions: some jurisdictions treat certain sea star species (e.g., Asterias amurensis) as priority marine pests and restrict possession/movement, which can constrain sourcing and trade routes.
- Ecosystem impacts: sea stars are ecologically important predators; large-scale removals or die-offs can alter nearshore food webs, increasing sensitivity to harvest governance.
Labor & Social- Forced labor and human trafficking risks are documented in global seafood supply chains; due diligence expectations can apply even for niche invertebrate products when sourcing involves fishing vessels and at-sea work.
FAQ
Which HS code is typically used for dried sea star in international trade data?Dried sea star is typically captured under HS heading 0308 (aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans and molluscs). When it is not identified in a named subcategory (like sea cucumbers, sea urchins, or jellyfish), it is commonly reported under HS 030890 (“other aquatic invertebrates”), which is why public trade statistics often do not show a clean “sea star” line item.
What is the biggest global supply disruption risk for dried sea star?Marine disease events—especially sea star wasting disease—are a major disruption risk because they can cause rapid, large-scale die-offs affecting many sea star species across broad coastal areas, reducing available biomass and triggering conservation or management responses.
What international guidance is commonly referenced for safety and quality controls in dried seafood supply chains?Codex Alimentarius’ Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products is a widely referenced global baseline for handling and processing fishery products, including salted/dried products, and FDA’s Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls guidance is a commonly used reference for identifying hazards and building HACCP controls (especially for import-oriented supply chains).