Indonesia Maintains Shrimp Exports to U.S. Amid Stricter Import Rules

KBRN, Jakarta: Despite tighter import regulations imposed by U.S. authorities, Indonesia remains eligible to export shrimp to the United States, according to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP).

In an official statement from Jakarta on Saturday, October 11, 2025, Head of the KKP's Agency for Quality Control and Supervision of Marine and Fisheries Products, Ishartini, clarified that the restrictions apply only to specific companies and regions.

One facility in the Cikande Industrial Zone, Serang, has been barred from exporting due to suspected contamination of its shrimp products with radioactive Cesium-137. However, the same company’s facility in Medan, North Sumatra, continues to operate normally and export to the U.S. market.

Ishartini added that shrimp processing units (UPI) in Java and Lampung are still permitted to export, provided they obtain a certificate confirming their products are free from Cesium-137 contamination.

The certification is issued by the KKP’s Quality Control Agency, which is recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Exports from UPIs outside Java and Lampung are proceeding as usual,” Ishartini noted.

KKP data shows that 41 UPIs are directly affected by the new certification requirement, 35 in Java and six in Lampung. All are still eligible to export, as long as they include the Cesium-137-free certificate issued by the authorized agency.

To streamline the process, KKP has proposed that exporters continue using their existing quality certificate format, with the addition of Cesium-137 test results.

The ministry’s digital platform, SIAP MUTU, will be integrated with the FDA’s Import Trade Auxiliary Communications System (ITACS) to expedite customs clearance.

KKP has also taken proactive steps to support the certification rollout. These include partnerships with the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) for laboratory testing, simplified sampling procedures for businesses, installation of radioactive monitoring systems (RPM) at ports, and regulatory adjustments to align with U.S. standards. ***