India to USA · sector guide
Exporting seafood from India to the USA
The US imported $2.6B of seafood from India in 2025, 11.3% of its imports of the main products in this sector. Frozen shrimp is India's largest food export to the US, alongside fish, squid and prepared seafood. Most of it ships frozen in reefer containers from the east and south coast ports.
- US imports from India, 2025
- $2.6B
- Jan–Aug 2026 vs last year
- -19.7%
- India's share
- 11.3%
- Average duty paid
- 15%
- Shipped by sea
- 100%
Five-year trend
US imports of seafood from India
Jan–Aug 2026: $1.53B, down 19.7% on the same months last year.
Top products
What the US buys most
| Product | HS | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Shrimp & Crustaceans | 0306 | $1.85B |
| Prepared & Preserved Seafood | 1605 | $603M |
| Prepared & Canned Fish | 1604 | $59.3M |
| Squid, Octopus & Molluscs | 0307 | $55.9M |
| Fish Fillets | 0304 | $27.6M |
| Frozen Fish | 0303 | $11.5M |
US ports
Where it enters the US
| US port | Share |
|---|---|
| Newark, NJ | 38.6% |
| Los Angeles, CA | 14.3% |
| Savannah, GA | 11.3% |
| Norfolk-Newport News, VA | 6.8% |
| Houston, TX | 6.2% |
| Miami, FL | 5.1% |
Requirements
US rules for seafood
- FDAThe food facility must be registered with the FDA, and every shipment needs FDA prior notice before it arrives. FDA can sample food at the border and refuse entry.
- FDASeafood processors must run a HACCP plan under the FDA seafood regulation, and US importers must verify their suppliers do.
- NOAAShrimp falls under the Seafood Import Monitoring Program, which requires harvest and landing records to be available for each shipment.
- CBPAn Importer Security Filing must reach CBP at least 24 hours before the container is loaded in India.
Check before you quote
Frozen warmwater shrimp from India is under US antidumping and countervailing duty orders, so your US buyer pays extra duty depending on the producer and exporter.
On the Indian side
- Register with MPEDA, which is required to export marine products.
- Process in a plant approved for export, with the documents your US buyer needs for its supplier verification.
Packing and shipping
- Frozen seafood ships in 40-foot reefer containers held at -18°C or colder.
- Book reefer space early in the peak season; reefer plugs on the vessel are limited.
Questions
Seafood from India to the USA: FAQs
How much seafood does the US import from India?
$2.6B in 2025, led by shrimp & crustaceans, prepared & preserved seafood, prepared & canned fish. Jan–Aug 2026: $1.53B, down 19.7% on the same months last year.
What US rules apply to seafood from India?
FDA: The food facility must be registered with the FDA, and every shipment needs FDA prior notice before it arrives. FDA can sample food at the border and refuse entry. FDA: Seafood processors must run a HACCP plan under the FDA seafood regulation, and US importers must verify their suppliers do. NOAA: Shrimp falls under the Seafood Import Monitoring Program, which requires harvest and landing records to be available for each shipment. CBP: An Importer Security Filing must reach CBP at least 24 hours before the container is loaded in India.
What do Indian exporters of seafood need to do?
Register with MPEDA, which is required to export marine products. Process in a plant approved for export, with the documents your US buyer needs for its supplier verification.
Are there extra US duties on seafood from India?
Frozen warmwater shrimp from India is under US antidumping and countervailing duty orders, so your US buyer pays extra duty depending on the producer and exporter.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau international trade data (general imports, and duty calculated on imports for consumption), 2021–2025 and Jan–Aug 2026. Requirements summarised for guidance; check the agency rules for your exact product.
Exporting seafood to the USA?
Atmavaan books the container, handles the export paperwork and can file the ISF and clear US customs for your buyer.
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