How To Import Seafood To the US

Seafood encompasses a variety of products that come from the world’s oceans. Whether it’s crab, shrimp, or tuna, there’s at least one type of sea creature that people enjoy. However, you’ll need to complete a variety of regulatory hurdles if you want to bring any of these products into the United States.

Key Takeaways:

• When importing seafood, you’ll need to follow FDA, NMFS, FWS, and CBP guidelines. 
• You can speed up the release of your seafood shipment by joining FDA’s VQIP and submitting a CBP form 3461.
• Certain seafood imports from the Vaquita Refuge located in the Upper Gulf of California are strictly forbidden. 
• Popular places to source seafood include the EU, China, Norway, Vietnam, and Chile.

Here, at USA Customs Clearance, government regulations are what make us tick. We’ll show you how to import seafood into the U.S. by outlining all the applicable requirements. 

What Are the FDA’s Regulations?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extensive regulations regarding the importation of seafood. Specifically, you’ll need to meet their facility registration requirements, send a Prior Notice, and follow their Imported Seafood Safety Program. 

FDA Registration of Food Facilities

Facility registration is a standard practice for all food imports and applies to facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food that’s meant for consumption in the United States.

Foreign and domestic operations are subject to this mandate as well. You can register by accessing the FDA Industry System (FIS). Next, you’ll need to pick the “FURLS Food Facility Registration Module (FFRM)” from the available systems on the Account Management Home Page. 

After picking this from the list, you can begin registering. The process is split into different sections, each of which will require you to provide important information about your facility.  

Once you’re finished, you’ll be taken to a page where you can review all the details you submitted. A message will notify you when your registration is successful. The FDA will also provide your registration number, PIN, and the expiration date.  

Prior Notice

A Prior Notice is also an essential part of importing seafood and other food products. Essentially, it lets the FDA know that a shipment of food will be entering the country. 

FDA Prior Notices contains the following information:

• Type of product
• Quantity
• Packaging
• Manufacturer 
• Shipper
• Owner
• Consignee 

The exact type of shipment will vary based on the type of seafood you’re importing. You can file your Prior Notice in one of two places. 

• Automated Broker Interface of the Automated Commercial Environment (ABI/ACE)
• Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI)

CBP runs the ABI/ACE. You can submit your Prior Notice to the FDA through the platform thanks to the CBP’s modifications. If you’d prefer not to use this method, you can use the FDA’s PNSI instead. 

Imported Seafood Safety Program

The Imported Seafood Safety Program is the FDA’s method of ensuring all fish and fishery products that enter the country are safe for consumption. There are numerous parts of this program, but the one that most applies to importers is the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). 

However, you’ll need to complete some preliminary tasks before you start working on HACCP requirements. 

• Create HACCP Team
• Describe the Food and its Distribution
• Explain the intended use and the consumers of the seafood
• Create a Flow Diagram
• Verify the Flow Diagram

You’ll need a specialized team to carry out your HACCP plan. Each member should have knowledge on the type of seafood you’ll be importing. The team will then need to describe the food that will be imported and how it will be distributed. 

The HACCP will then need to create a flow diagram explaining how the HACCP plan will be completed to verify its accuracy. With the preliminary steps completed, you can now move onto the seven HACCP principles. 

This includes:

• Principle 1: Hazard analysis
• Principle 2: Critical control points
• Principle 3: Critical limits
• Principle 4: Monitoring procedures
• Principle 5: Corrective actions
• Principle 6: Verification procedures
• Principle 7: Record-keeping and documentation

A hazard analysis outlined in Principle 1 is meant to identify and list dangers facing your seafood that could lead to injury and illness if not effectively controlled. The HACCP team will need to list these threats, determine their severity, and address the ones most likely to occur. 

This includes:

• Description of the seafood
• Processing method
• Temperature seafood is kept

Critical control points (CCP) defined in Principle 2 are any step that can be used to prevent, reduce, or outright eliminate hazards to your import of seafood. According to the FDA, there are numerous places where CCPs can occur.

• Chilling
• Thermal processing
• Product formulation control

Your HACCP team should carefully develop and document the CCPs that will be used to prevent hazards that are likely to occur. Critical limits are parameters that must be controlled by a CCP to a maximum and/or minimum value. There are three types of parameters.

• Biological 
• Chemical
• Physical 

Critical limits in Principle 3 are used to determine the safe and unsafe operating conditions of a CCP. Monitoring procedures in Principle 4 are the measurements and observations that are meant to assess if a CCP is being met or not. This principle serves three different purposes: 

1. Tracking — This ensures safety during management over the seafood
2. Deviation — Monitoring will help determine loss of control at CCP occurs
3. Documentation — Watching over a CCP provides written proof that seafood was monitored

Even if the first four principles are executed flawlessly, CCP criteria might not be met. In instances like these, Principle 5’s corrective actions must be taken as a result. When taking these corrective actions, you’ll need to make sure they consist of three primary elements. 

• The correct cause of non-compliance
• Identification of the non-compliant product
• Records of corrective action that are taken

You should develop and have your corrective actions ready before the need for them arises. For Principle 6, you have to determine the validity of your HACCP plan. Individuals within your company, third party experts, and regulatory agencies can all assess its accuracy and validity. 

Principle 7 will require you to develop records and documentation of your HACCP system. This must be thorough and provide various details about your seafood and the plan you implemented. 

This includes: 

• A summary of hazard analysis
• The HACCP plan
• The HACCP team
• A detailed description of the food, how you will distribute it, and the intended use and customer
• Verified flow diagram
• HACCP Summary Table

With the assistance of a good HACCP plan, you can ensure your seafood imports will arrive safely. 

For more on FDA regulations, read our complete guide to FDA customs clearance. 

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How To Follow NMFS Rules

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is another organization that heavily regulates the importation of seafood. They’re able to do this with their Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP). There are 13 different seafood species groups regulated under SIMP. 

The 13 seafood species groups SIMP applies to include:

• Abalone
• Atlantic cod
• Blue crab (Atlantic)
• Dolphinfish (Mahi Mahi)
• Grouper
• King carb (red)
• Pacific cod
• Red snapper
• Sea cucumber
• Sharks 
• Shrimp
• Swordfish
• Tuna (Albacore, Bigeye, Skipijack, Yellowfin, Bluefin)

There are 1,100 species that are included in these 13 groups. Regardless of which type of seafood you want to bring into the country, you’ll need to provide the NMFS with a few pieces of vital information about your goods. 

This includes:

• Harvesting or Producing Entity
• Harvest Event — What, When, and Where
• Importer of Record — International Fisheries Trade Permit (IFTP) Holder

In the following sections, I’ll explain the information you’ll need to provide for these parts of your shipment. 

Harvesting or Producing Entity

The harvesting or producing entity is the vessel that caught your seafood. NMFS requires specific pieces of information about this ship. 

• Name and flag state harvesting vessel(s)
• Evidence that proves authorization to fish/farm
• Unique Vessel Identifier
• Type(s) of fishing gear

You can use a variety of different documents to provide evidence of authorization to fish/farm. This can be done with a farm permit, registration, or certification.

Harvest Event: What, When, and Where

The NMFS will need detailed information about the harvesting of your fish. This is to ensure your seafood was collected legally. 

• Species of fish — Aquatic Sciences Fishery Information (ASFIS) three-alpha code
• Loading of offloading date(s)
• Point(s) of first landing
• Product form(s) that indicates the quantity and weight of the product at the time of landing or offloading
• Information on the area(s) where the wild-capture or the aquaculture harvest (farm address)
• Name of entity(ies) to which the fish was landed or delivered

An ASFIS three-alpha code is used to identify different species of fish and other types of marine life and are assigned by FAO. If your seafood entries are made up of more than one harvesting event, you’ll need to provide the same information for each one that’s applicable.

Importer of Record

To become an Importer Record with the NMFS, you’ll have to get your International Fisheries Trade Permit (IFTP). This can be obtained online by applying for the document through the National Permit System. You’ll receive an IFTP number if your application is successful.  This number will be vital when importing seafood into the country. 

As the Importer of Record, you’ll have to provide NMFS a considerable amount of information about yourself.     

• Name, affiliation, and contact information
• Valid IFTP number
• Declarations by harvesting/carrier vessels, bills of lading
• Records on processing, re-processing, and commingling of product

You’ll also be responsible for keeping records on the chain of custody for your seafood products. 

What Are the FWS Requirements?

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) also has regulations on seafood. The FWS will want you to declare your seafood using a Declaration form (3-177). This can be completed online through the Environmental Declarations (edecs) website. 

You can also print a physical copy of the document and mail it to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Inspection Office. Declaration form 3-177 has different fields where you fill in all the relevant information you need. 

The FWS requires imports to arrive through a Designated U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Port. However, a Designated Port Exception Permit (DPEP) will help you get around this requirement. 

The FWS will grant you this permit only for the following reasons:

• For science purposes
• To reduce deterioration or loss of cargo
• To alleviate economic hardship

Since seafood is perishable, you might be eligible for this permit if FWS believes it will reduce deterioration or loss of your cargo. You can download the PDF for this document and fill it out. After it’s been completed, you’ll only need to send it to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Permit Office. 

Provide the following information on the form:

• Port(s) of entry where your seafood will arrive
• Give documents that identify the primary use of this permit
• Provide a general description of the seafood you’re bringing into the country
• Indicate if you’re bringing a single shipment, series of shipment, or multiple shipments during a specified period of time
• Provide your valid service wildlife import license for your commercial shipment

DPEP applications have to pay a processing fee of $100 that you’ll need to pay when obtaining a new permit or when renewing it. To amend your permit, you’ll be charged $50. 

Related: Importing Dairy Products to the U.S.

CBP Rules for Seafood

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have a variety of regulations for imported shipments of seafood. An Executive Order (EO) established on December 22, 2023, forbids the entry of seafood that was made in the Russian Federation.  

Seafood that was harvested in Russian Federation waters or by a Russian-flagged vessel is prohibited as well. The EO also applies if the seafood products have been transformed or incorporated into another product that has a different country of origin than the Russian Federation. 

The EO requires importers to provide self-certification in the Document Image System (DIS), which is part of the Automated Commercial Environment. CBP will want you to provide the self-certification on an official company letterhead. 

Only one is needed for each entry of goods into the country. If you’re importing shrimp for your seafood, then a DS-2031 should be submitted with your products. You’ll also need to include a CBP Invoice, which is also known as a commercial invoice. The document should have the FDA registration number and a detailed description of your seafood. 

This includes clarifying if your products are:

• Fresh
• Frozen
• Whole
• Fillet

You should also provide the scientific name of the seafood you’ve purchased. 

Related: The Complete Guide To CBP Form 5106

How To Speed Up the Release of Your Products

Seafood is a perishable product, which means there might be tight time constraints on your products. To help overcome these challenges, you can take two steps to speed up the release of your goods.   

The first is to submit CBP Form 3461. This document is used to speed up the release of your shipment and can be submitted to CBP electronically through ACE. The second step is to join the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP) that’s available through the FDA.  

It’s a fee based program that will expedite the review of your seafood. However, you’ll need to meet numerous requirements to enter.

This includes:

• A history of importing to the U.S. for at least three years
• A Data Universal Numbering System (DUNs) number
• Your paperless filers/brokers of choice received and acceptable rating during their last FDA Filer Evaluation
• None of your shrimp is subject to an import alert
• You and your non-applicant entities are subject to ongoing FDA administrative or judicial action
• You’re in compliance with HACCP regulations
• You have facility certifications for your foreign suppliers
• Implementation of a VQIP Quality Assurance Program
• CBP hasn’t subjected you to penalties, forfeitures, or sanctions related to the safety and security of FDA products

If you can meet these criteria, the only thing that will be left for you to do is to pay the user fee before October 1st, which will need to be repaid for each year you’re part of the program. 

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Are There Any Countries You Can’t Buy Seafood From?

Seafood from specific countries and bodies of water are restricted from entering the country. As we’ve already established during our discussion on CBP regulations, seafood that comes from the Russian Federation is strictly prohibited. 

The NMFS enforces restrictions on Mexican fisheries operating in the range of the Vaquita Refuge, which is located in the Upper Gulf of California. This area is meant to protect this endangered sea life. 

Gillnet fishing is strictly forbidden in the Vaquita Refuge. Yet, numerous Mexican fisheries use this method of fishing to catch other types of fish in this body of water.  

The restricted fisheries include:

• Shrimp trawl
• Shrimp suripera
• Sierra purse
• Sierra hook and line
• Chano trawl
• Curvina purse seine
• Sardine/curvina purse seine fishery
• Anchovy 
• Herring
• Mackerel
• Croaker
• Plichard

Within the Vaquita Refuge is the Zero Tolerance Area where fishing operations of all types. Your seafood products must not come from this area either. 

What Are the Best Nations To Buy Seafood from?

There are numerous countries that export quality seafood. To help narrow your search, I’ve given some data that shows the top five seafood exporters, as of 2020. 

The EU is a great location to source seafood. While the U.S. and EU don’t share a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), both nations have excellent trade relations. There’s also a considerable amount of fish that’s exported from the EU each year. 

• Pelagic fish
• Salmonids
• Crustaceans
• Molluscs

China is known for its exports of tilapia and golden pomfret. Most of these fish were exported to the U.S. market in 2023. Norway is known for exporting a variety of different seafood as well. 

This includes:

• Trout
• Saither
• Haddock
• Snow crab
• Mackerel 

Vietnam is a popular supplier of the world’s seafood. As recently as April 2024, their export revenue for these products reached a resounding $285 million. Chile is another country known for its quality seafood products. The U.S. is actually the leading destination for Chilean exports of this product. This shows the popularity of seafood from Chile is amongst Americans. 

Related: Comprehensive Guide To Importing Meat

Start Importing Seafood with USA Customs Clearance

We realize how lengthy and difficult the import regulations for seafood can be to follow. That’s why at USA Customs Clearance, we’re committed to your importing success. Our team of Licensed Customs Brokers are ready to provide their immense amount of expertise. We also have an array of other services you can enjoy. 

• Customs Consulting: Have a discussion about the requirements for your seafood with one of our Licensed Customs Brokers. 
• Bundles for New Importers: If you’ve never imported before, then obtain one of our four bundles that will show you the basics. 
• Manifest Confidentiality: Protect the details of your supply chain from the eyes of your competitors with this import document. 

Don’t put your import of seafood off any longer. You can interact with USA Customs Clearance through the site or simply call our team for further assistance at (855) 912-0406.

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