• Premium cephalopod by-product — high-value utilization of whole-squid processing
• Naturally high-protein: ~15–20 g protein per 100 g (raw frozen); dry-basis crude protein approaches 90%
• Rich in EPA + DHA (omega-3, ~34–44% of total fatty acids), selenium, vitamin B12, zinc, and phosphorus
• Wild-caught → traceable to FAO 41 / FAO 87 squid fisheries
• Raw frozen; BQF (block) or IQF available; glaze 0–20% (100% net weight available)
• Standard de-acidification for Dosidicus gigas roe to soften natural ammonia notes (lighter for Illex roe)
• Graded by maturity / size; 24-month frozen shelf life at −18 °C

• Asian delicacy: steamed with egg (Chinese 鱿鱼籽蒸蛋), seafood congee, hot pot
• Thai & Malay cuisines: curries, salads, stir-fries where roe is a flavor accent
• Japanese: sushi / seafood donburi (the "ika no ikura" style presentation)
• Premium frozen dim-sum and value-added seafood packs
• Foodservice and retail packs for Asian grocery and specialty channels

• Food safety: HACCP, BRC, ISO 22000, HALAL, FDA registration, EU Reg. 853/2004 approved.
• Sustainability (source-matched): Wild-caught → MSC is the correct eco-cert for the squid fishery. ASC / BAP / GLOBALG.A.P do NOT apply — those are aquaculture schemes and squid is 100% wild. (We flag this because aquaculture labels are sometimes wrongly attached to wild squid products.)
• Packaging: Block-frozen (BQF) 1 kg / 2 kg blocks, 10 kg carton (100% net weight common); IQF 1 kg × 10 bags per carton; private-label OEM available.
• Shelf life: 24 months at −18 °C (unopened). HS code: 0307.44 (Cuttle fish and squid, frozen) internationally; U.S. HTS 0307.43 (frozen squid, "other" — 0307.43.50). Dried / salted roe falls under 0307.49.

• Store at −18 °C or below. Avoid temperature fluctuation.
• Thaw under refrigeration or in cold water; drain before cooking. Cook thoroughly before serving.
• Shelf life: 24 months from production date under proper frozen storage.

A. Procurement / Trade

A1. What is the MOQ and lead time?
MOQ is typically 1 × 20' reefer container (~8–11 MT in 10 kg cartons) or 1 × 40' HC reefer (~18–24 MT). Lead time ~15–30 days after order confirmation and deposit, subject to grade, glaze, block vs. IQF pack, and certification. Main loading ports: Fuzhou / Xiamen / Qingdao, China.

A2. What incoterms and payment terms do you offer?
We trade on FOB / CIF / CFR. Payment is typically T/T (30% deposit, 70% against B/L copy) or confirmed L/C at sight for qualified buyers.

A3. Can different products be mixed in one container, and do you offer OEM?
Yes. Mixed loading with other frozen seafood is available subject to compatible storage temperature and carton dimensions. We also support OEM, private label, and custom spec (grade, glaze %, block vs. IQF, labeling).

B. Documents / Compliance

B1. What documents accompany each shipment?
Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Health Certificate, Certificate of Analysis (COA), HALAL (if applicable), Certificate of Origin, and microbiology / heavy-metal / residue analysis. EU establishment number and FDA registration issued where required. MSC chain-of-custody documents provided when the certified wild option is ordered.

B2. Which certifications apply to this product?
HACCP and HALAL as standard; BRC, ISO 22000, FDA registration, and EU Reg. 853/2004 available on request. For sustainability, MSC applies to the wild squid fishery; ASC / BAP are not applicable to this 100%-wild product — see D2.

B3. What is the country of origin and how is traceability managed?
Country of origin: China (CN) as standard (processed from imported wild squid of declared FAO area). Each carton carries a batch code tracing back to the processing lot and declared raw-material origin for full traceability, including additive and residue screening.

C. Specs / Logistics

C1. What species and form are supplied?
Form: Squid roe (ovarian glands) of mature female Illex argentinus (FAO 41) and Dosidicus gigas (FAO 87). Supplied raw frozen, whole or portioned, block (BQF) or IQF. Confirm the Latin species on the invoice to prevent substitution.

C2. What freeze type, grades, and glaze apply?
Block-frozen (BQF) or IQF (individually quick-frozen). Graded by maturity / size (e.g., 200–300 g, 300–500 g equivalent block spec). Glaze 0–20% (100% net weight / 0% glaze available). De-acidified as standard for giant-squid roe.

C3. What packaging and shelf life apply?
BQF 1 kg / 2 kg blocks, 10 kg carton; IQF 1 kg × 10 bags per carton; OEM available. Shelf life 24 months at −18 °C (unopened). HS code 0307.44 (intl) / 0307.43 (U.S. HTS), dried/salted 0307.49 — see D3.

D. Technical Clarification

D1. What species is the squid roe from, and is it like fish roe or sea urchin?
Squid roe comes from squid (Illex argentinus / Dosidicus gigas), a cephalopod mollusc — it is not a fish, not a crustacean, and not octopus. It is the ovarian gland of the female squid, biologically distinct from fish roe (salmon / cod roe, which are vertebrate eggs) and from sea-urchin roe (uni, an echinoderm). Confirm the Latin species on the invoice to prevent substitution.

D2. Which sustainability certification applies — MSC, ASC, or BAP?
Squid is 100% wild-caught, so the correct eco-label is MSC (for the squid fishery). ASC / BAP / GLOBALG.A.P do NOT apply — those are aquaculture certifications for farmed species. We do not attach farmed-species labels to wild squid products; request MSC documentation when ordering the certified option.

D3. What HS code applies to frozen squid roe — 0307.44 or the fish-roe code?
Squid is a cephalopod, not a fish, so its roe does not go under the fish-roe codes 0303.91 (frozen fish roe) or 0305.20 (dried / salted fish roe). Frozen squid roe is classified with the parent squid under HS 0307.44 (Cuttle fish and squid, frozen) internationally; the U.S. matching HTS is 0307.43 (frozen squid, "other" — 0307.43.50). Only dried or salted squid roe moves to 0307.49. Misclassification against fish-roe codes is a common and costly error — verify against your destination tariff.

D4. How does squid roe nutrition compare to ordinary squid meat, and is it high in cholesterol?
Squid roe is a nutrient-concentrated part: ~15–20 g protein per 100 g (raw frozen; dry-basis crude protein approaches 90%), exceptionally rich in EPA + DHA omega-3 (≈34–44% of total fatty acids), plus selenium, B12, zinc, and phosphorus. Because it is a reproductive organ, it is higher in cholesterol than ordinary squid mantle meat — comparable to other marine roes — so it is best enjoyed in moderation as a delicacy, not as an everyday protein staple.