{"id":1174,"date":"2026-06-24T13:25:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T06:25:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abmandiri.com\/blog\/seafood-export-product-requirements-indonesia\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T13:25:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T06:25:12","slug":"seafood-export-product-requirements-indonesia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abmandiri.com\/es\/blog\/seafood-export-product-requirements-indonesia\/","title":{"rendered":"What Documents Are Required for Seafood Export Products? Indonesia’s Complete Export Checklist for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Indonesia is a top supplier of fish to American kitchens, restaurants, and retailers. In 2024, Indonesia exported USD 5.95 billion in seafood export products, with the United States as its main buyer at USD 1.9 billion<\/strong>. That means one of every three dollars’ worth of Indonesian seafood lands in American ports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behind every successful shipment of shrimp, tuna, snapper, or octopus is a stack of paperwork that must be perfect. One missing certificate, a mismatched HS code, or an outdated license can cause your shipment to sit at a US port. You’ll face storage fees while your buyer’s freezer space goes empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This checklist walks you through every document you need to legally ship seafood from Indonesia to the United States, whether you’re a US importer vetting your supply chain or a new buyer working with a trusted Indonesian seafood supplier<\/a> for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Seafood Export Documentation Is Different (and Stricter)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Seafood isn’t like exporting furniture or textiles. It’s a perishable, high-risk commodity regulated under three overlapping frameworks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Indonesian export law<\/strong> is overseen by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and Indonesian Customs (Bea Cukai).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. US import law<\/strong> is enforced by the FDA, NOAA Fisheries, and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. International traceability standards,<\/strong> including the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), the Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS) for tuna, and IUU (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated) fishing prevention rules.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    For frozen seafood export products, especially the bulk of what an experienced frozen seafood exporter<\/a> ships, the cold chain documentation must match the cargo physically. If the temperature log says -25\u00b0C and CBP inspectors find -15\u00b0C, the shipment can be refused entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Master Checklist: 11 Documents Every Indonesian Seafood Exporter Must Provide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    A professional seafood export company should prepare all required documents before the container leaves the Port of Makassar, Tanjung Priok, or Surabaya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Commercial Invoice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The foundational document. It lists the buyer and seller, Incoterms (typically FOB, CIF, or CFR), unit price, total value, and a clear product description with the species name in Latin (e.g., Thunnus albacares<\/em> for yellowfin tuna). US Customs uses this to calculate duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Packing List<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Itemises every carton: net weight, gross weight, dimensions, carton count, master cartons, and product form (whole round, fillet, IQF, block frozen). The packing list must reconcile exactly with the bill of lading and commercial invoice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Bill of Lading (B\/L) or Air Waybill (AWB)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The shipping line or airline issues this title document, such as a B\/L or AWB. For US shipments, it must list the importer’s IRS or EIN number and a clear consignee. Telex-released or express B\/L is common for trusted buyer-supplier relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4. Certificate of Origin (Form COO)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The Indonesian Ministry of Trade or an authorized chamber of commerce issues the Certificate of Origin. This document confirms that Indonesia harvested and processed the seafood. Exporters claiming preferential tariff treatment under trade agreements must use the correct form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. Health Certificate (HC)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    BKIPM<\/strong> (Badan Karantina Ikan, Pengendalian Mutu dan Keamanan Hasil Perikanan), Indonesia’s Fish Quarantine and Quality Control Agency issues the Health Certificate. This certificate confirms that the seafood is fit for human consumption and free of pathogens. The US FDA requires this for every seafood consignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    6. Catch Certificate \/ SIMP Documentation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Many new exporters get tripped up here. NOAA’s Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP)<\/strong> requires traceability for 13 priority species, such as tuna, grouper, snapper, and mahi-mahi. All seafood exporters to the US must supply:<\/p>\n\n\n\n