Crab Imports Unbanned: Vietnam, Indonesia Meet Dolphin-Safe Standards
Published Date: 5/12/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting May 12, 2026, the U.S. says the swimming crab fisheries in Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines now meet U.S. standards to protect marine mammals. This means their crab products can be imported again after a previous ban that began in January 2026. The new approval lasts until the end of 2029, helping businesses and consumers get crab without risking ocean mammals.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Imports Allowed from Three Nations
Starting May 12, 2026, the United States determined that swimming crab fisheries in Vietnam (Fishery IDs 13164, 13206, 13204, and 13205), Indonesia (Fishery ID 12391), and Sri Lanka (Fishery ID 2705) are comparable to U.S. standards. This determination allows crab and crab products from those listed fisheries to be imported into the United States through December 31, 2029.
Philippines Swimming Crab Import Ban
NMFS determined that the Philippines' swimming crab fisheries (Fishery IDs 2129 and 2130) remain not comparable to U.S. standards, and fish and fish products from those fisheries may no longer be imported into the United States as of June 11, 2026. The prior import prohibition that began January 1, 2026 remains in effect for those fisheries.
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