Live, Fresh, or Chilled Scallops (Pectinidae)

Live scallops have a very short shelf life once harvested — typically measured in days under ideal refrigeration — making transit time from origin to US port critical. Importers must coordinate closely with freight forwarders to minimize time in transit, and CBP entry timing should be planned to avoid weekend or holiday delays at the port of entry that could compromise product condition and admissibility.

Yes. Scallops intended for live or raw consumption are covered under the NSSP framework, and the foreign harvest area must appear on the ICSSL. However, scallops that are shucked and only the adductor muscle is retained (with no viscera) may be treated differently under some state regulations. Importers should confirm the specific product form and destination-state requirements before shipment.