Beyond FDA's standard seafood HACCP requirements, bivalve molluscs — oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops harvested from the water — must come from certified growing areas recognized under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) or a bilateral equivalency agreement. Importers must obtain shellfish certificates from the foreign competent authority and maintain records linking each lot to a certified harvest area.

Abalone (Haliotis spp.) and stromboid conchs each have dedicated subheadings — live/fresh/chilled, frozen, and other preservation states — separate from the catch-all 'other molluscs' subheadings (030791–030799). This species-level specificity matters because abalone is subject to CITES trade controls in some source countries, and conchs from certain Caribbean origins may face quota or permit requirements. Confirming species and origin before entry is essential.

Yes. Queen conch (Strombus gigas), a stromboid conch, is listed under CITES Appendix II, meaning exports from range states require a CITES export permit and US imports require a corresponding import permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Importers of stromboid conchs should verify the species and confirm permit requirements with USFWS before shipment.