U.S. Greenlights Shrimp from Turtle-Safe Nations Starting Now
Published Date: 4/21/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. just announced which countries’ wild-caught shrimp can swim into American markets starting April 21, 2026. If you’re a shrimp importer or exporter, you’ll need to follow new rules and use a special form to keep things legal and turtle-friendly. This update affects lots of nations and helps protect sea turtles while keeping shrimp flowing smoothly—and on time!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Many Nations Certified to Export Shrimp
On April 10, 2026 the Department of State certified that wild-caught shrimp and products from that shrimp harvested in the following nations and Hong Kong are eligible to enter the United States: Argentina, the Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Gabon, Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Russia, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay. This determination is effective April 21, 2026 and means importers/exporters linked to those listed places may import wild-caught shrimp under the Section 609 certification process.
Unlisted Nations: Aquaculture-Only Eligibility
For nations, economies, and fisheries not listed as certified, only shrimp harvested from aquaculture and products from that aquaculture shrimp are eligible to enter the United States. Wild-caught shrimp from those unlisted places are not eligible under the general certification and therefore cannot be imported as certified wild-caught shrimp.
Limited Fishery Exceptions Require Official Signatures
Specific fisheries in certain nations are eligible under narrow provisions: shrimp harvested using turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in Australia (Northern Prawn Fishery, Queensland East Coast Trawl Fishery, and Torres Strait Prawn Fishery) and the French Guiana domestic trawl fishery of France are eligible under DS-2031 Box 7(A)(2) and require a responsible government official of Australia or France to sign Block 8 of the DS-2031. Separately, shrimp from the Spencer Gulf (Australia), shrimp baskets in Hokkaido (Japan), 'mosquito' nets in the Republic of Korea, Mediterranean red shrimp in Spain, and giant red shrimp in Italy are eligible under DS-2031 Box 7(A)(4) and require a responsible government official of the listed harvesting nation to sign Block 8.
DS-2031 Declaration and Documentation Rules
All imports of shrimp and products containing shrimp must be accompanied by a completed DS-2031 Shrimp Exporter's/Importer's Declaration. Importers of shrimp from certified nations and Hong Kong should mark Box 7(B) and may provide the DS-2031 to Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry or submit required information through the Automated Commercial Environment. DS-2031 forms for imports from uncertified nations must be originals, have the correct Box 7(A)(1), 7(A)(2), or 7(A)(4) checked, be signed by the exporter and a responsible government official prior to export, and must accompany the shipment through all stages, including any transformation or transit through intermediary nations; Box 7(A)(3) may not be marked.
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