Smoked Tilapia, Catfish, Carp, Eels, Nile Perch & Snakeheads, Including Fillets

Snakeheads (Channa spp.) are designated as injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act, and the restriction generally applies regardless of whether the fish is live, fresh, or processed. Importers of smoked snakehead products should consult the US Fish and Wildlife Service and a licensed customs broker before shipment, as admissibility is not guaranteed by the smoked/processed status alone.

Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda are the top suppliers because traditional wood-smoking of freshwater species like Nile perch and catfish is deeply embedded in West and East African food processing, and diaspora communities in the US represent the primary retail demand. These products often enter through specialty ethnic grocery channels rather than mainstream seafood distribution, which affects port-of-entry selection and FDA sampling frequency.