• Made from wild-caught Uroteuthis chinensis (Chinese squid; trade name "Loligo squid"), a premium Western Pacific table squid
• Block quick-frozen (BQF / plate frozen) — solid frozen blocks for downstream cutting, lower unit cost than IQF
• Wild-caught from East China Sea (FAO 61) / South China Sea (FAO 71)
• Cleaned (gutted / visceral removed); supplied whole round or whole cleaned inside the block
• Mild, slightly sweet flavor; tender yet firm flesh that holds marinades and sauces
• Heavier protective glaze 10–20% typical (net weight 100/90/80% available); suited to bulk frozen storage
• High protein (≈18 g/100 g), very low fat (≈1.5 g/100 g); rich in selenium, vitamin B12, phosphorus
• No preservatives; wild-caught
• 24-month frozen shelf life at –18 °C or below

• Secondary processors / cutting plants — thaw the block, then cut into rings, strips, or tubes to customer spec
• Food manufacturing — breaded calamari rings, squid strips, seafood mix components
• Foodservice distributors who re-pack or re-cut before delivery
• Grilled whole (after portioning), stir-fry, hot pot and shabu-shabu
• Spanish / Italian tapas and seafood stews (downstream-prepared)
• Note: BQF blocks are intended for reprocessing, not direct retail portioning — for ready-to-cook retail-level packs, the IQF format is the better fit.

• MSC — applicable. Chinese squid is wild-caught; an MSC claim is legitimate when sourced from a certified fishery.

• ASC / BAP / GLOBALG.A.P. — NOT applicable. These are aquaculture schemes; squid is not farmed. Any "ASC squid" label would be a mislabel.

• Baseline HACCP / BRC / IFS / ISO 22000 / HALAL food-safety systems apply at the processing plant.

Store at –18 °C or below. Avoid temperature fluctuation. Thaw BQF blocks under controlled conditions — in a tempering room or refrigerated thaw cabinet (0–4 °C) until the block can be separated, then cut to spec. Avoid uncontrolled room-temperature or water-immersion thawing to limit drip loss and microbial risk. Cook thoroughly before serving. Shelf life: 24 months from production date under proper frozen storage.

Q1. What species is this, and is it a fish, crustacean, or octopus? A. This is Uroteuthis chinensis (Chinese squid, trade name "Loligo squid," formerly Loligo chinensis) — a true squid (cephalopod mollusc). It is not octopus, not fish, and not crustacean. Distinct from short-fin squid (Illex argentinus), flying squid (Todarodes pacificus / Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis), or jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas). Always pin the Latin name on the order to prevent species substitution.

Q2. Is squid farmed? Can it carry ASC? A. No. Squid is wild-caught, so MSC applies (for certified fisheries) and ASC / BAP / GLOBALG.A.P. do not apply. If a supplier offers "ASC squid," treat it as a mislabel.

Q3. What HS code applies to frozen squid? A. HS 0307.43 — "Molluscs; cuttle fish and squid, frozen." This is the correct international 6-digit subheading (U.S. HTS 0307.43, EU/UK 0307.43, China CN 0307.43). Do not use 0304 (fish fillets), 0306 (crustaceans/shrimp), or 0307.42 (live/fresh/chilled squid). If the squid is breaded or pre-cooked, the code shifts to Chapter 16 — 1605.54 (prepared/preserved squid).

Q4. What is the difference between BQF and IQF, and which should I choose? A. BQF (Block Quick Frozen) packs cleaned squid into molds and freezes it as a solid block — pieces are stuck together and must be thawed and cut downstream. It is the lower-cost option built for cutting plants and food manufacturers that re-cut to spec. IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) freezes each piece separately (no clumping) for direct retail/foodservice portioning. We supply BQF as standard; IQF is available on request. Choose BQF when you will cut in-house; choose IQF when you need ready-to-portion pieces.

Q5. What grades, glaze levels, and block weights are offered? A. Grade by size: U5 / U10 / U10-20 / U20-40, or 8–13 / 13–18 / 18–25 / 25+ cm. Glaze 10–20% with net weight 100/90/80% options. Standard block 10 kg net (poly-lined carton); other block weights negotiable. OEM, private label, and custom spec are supported.