Indonesia resumes shrimp exports to the US

The Indonesian Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (KKP) announced that it has reached a special agreement with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allowing thousands of containers of Indonesian shrimp to continue to be cleared for entry into the US market.

The agreement was signed on October 18 (US time), after several rounds of tense negotiations between the two sides. This move comes as Washington prepares to implement Import Alert #99-52 on October 31, 2025, causing significant concern for Indonesian shrimp exporters.

Ms. Ishartini, Director of the KKP's Seafood Quality Control and Supervision Agency, said the FDA has agreed to allow thousands of containers of Indonesian shrimp – currently en route to the US and expected to arrive after October 31 – to be imported without being held under the new regulations.

Ms. Ishartini confirmed to the press: "They have granted special clearance for thousands of containers of shrimp that are currently in transit and will arrive in the US after the policy takes effect."

Under Import Alert 99-52, the FDA will intensify its monitoring of shrimp originating from Java and Lampung to ensure the product is not contaminated with radioactive Cesium-137.

When the policy takes effect, all shrimp shipments from these areas must be accompanied by an official certificate from a competent authority in Indonesia confirming the absence of any traces of radiation before they can be imported into the United States.

The new regulations are causing particular concern among Indonesian shrimp exporters, as thousands of containers have already left ports but will arrive in the US after the October 31 deadline, before they have had time to complete the new certification process.

Ms. Ishartini stated, "We convinced the FDA that the more than 1,000 containers of shrimp that would arrive in the U.S. after that time had all undergone rigorous quality control procedures, accompanied by a Seafood Product Quality Certificate (SMKHP) issued by KKP."

According to her, all shipments granted special permission will still undergo additional FDA inspection upon arrival at the port to ensure there is absolutely no Cesium-137 contamination, just like with shipments arriving before the October 31st deadline.

Source: https://vtv.vn/indonesia-noi-lai-xuat-khau-tom-sang-my-100251020075414846.htm