Fresh or Chilled Fish Fillets and Other Fish Meat

Filing accurate and complete Prior Notice with FDA before the shipment arrives — including species scientific name, foreign processor establishment details, and HACCP documentation — reduces the likelihood of a hold. Working with a licensed customs broker experienced in perishable seafood and pre-registering the foreign processing facility with FDA can also expedite admissibility review. Air freight is common for fresh fillets precisely because the examination window is narrow.

'Fish fillets' are boneless or near-boneless portions cut lengthwise from the fish, while 'other fish meat' covers minced fish, fish blocks, and other flesh preparations that do not meet the fillet definition. The distinction can matter at the HTS 10-digit level, where duty rates or quota treatment may differ between fillets and other meat forms. Processors should clearly describe the cut and form on commercial invoices to avoid reclassification.