Under 21 CFR Part 123, importers of seafood must have, or use a processor that has, a HACCP plan addressing hazards specific to the species and process. Importers are also required to verify that their foreign suppliers produce seafood in accordance with US safety standards—typically through supplier affirmations, periodic audits, or third-party certifications. Records must be retained for at least one year for fresh and frozen products.

Yes. The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits the import of marine mammal products, including certain by-catch-associated seafood from fisheries that do not meet US standards for marine mammal protection. Additionally, the Sea Turtle Conservation provisions can restrict shrimp imports from countries whose fishing practices do not use turtle excluder devices. Importers should confirm that their seafood sources comply with these requirements to avoid admissibility issues at the border.