Land snails for human consumption — excluding sea snails, which fall under fishery product classifications — enter US commerce as a specialty food ingredient prized in French, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisines. USDA FSIS jurisdiction applies to land snails intended for human food, and importers must ensure the product originates from an approved establishment in a country with a recognized inspection system. Beyond FSIS, USDA APHIS may assert jurisdiction over live snails or snail species that pose agricultural pest risks, so the distinction between live and processed product is commercially and regulatorily significant. Proper species identification and processing documentation are essential, as certain snail species may be subject to CITES controls or state-level import restrictions.

AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.