Live, Fresh, or Chilled Oysters

Seed oysters are juvenile oysters imported for aquaculture grow-out rather than direct consumption. They may be subject to USDA APHIS phytosanitary or aquatic animal health requirements in addition to FDA oversight, and some states impose their own permits for introduction of non-native bivalve seed. Importers should confirm both federal and destination-state requirements before shipment.

The NSSP is an FDA-administered, state-cooperative program that requires foreign shellfish-growing areas and processors to be listed on the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL). Oysters from countries or harvest areas not on the ICSSL are generally inadmissible for human consumption in the US, regardless of other documentation. Importers should verify ICSSL status for the specific harvest area before contracting supply.