Why Thailand for Frozen Seafood Imports?
Thailand is consistently ranked among the world's top five seafood exporting nations, shipping over 1.5 million metric tons of frozen and processed seafood annually to more than 140 countries. For B2B importers — whether distributors, food service operators, retailers, or processors — Thailand offers a unique combination of species diversity, processing sophistication, cold chain infrastructure, and internationally recognized certification coverage that is difficult to match from a single source country.
Key advantages for buyers sourcing from Thailand include access to tropical shrimp species (vannamei and black tiger), cephalopods (squid and octopus), crustaceans (crab, mantis shrimp, lobster), and a wide range of value-added and processed products — all produced in modern processing facilities certified to HACCP, BRC, EU, FDA, Halal, and BAP standards.
Step 1 — Define Your B2B Product Requirements
Before approaching any Thai seafood supplier, prepare a precise product specification. This is not just best practice — it is essential for receiving accurate quotations and avoiding costly specification mismatches. Your specification sheet should cover:
- Species and scientific name — e.g., Litopenaeus vannamei (vannamei shrimp), Penaeus monodon (black tiger shrimp), Todarodes pacificus (Japanese flying squid)
- Product form — HOSO, HLSO, PD, PUD, PDTO, IQF fillets, block frozen, value-added (breaded, battered, marinated)
- Size / count — For shrimp: count per pound (e.g., 21/25, 31/40). For fish: weight range per piece (e.g., 150–200g fillets). For cephalopods: tube size range.
- Glazing percentage and basis — Always negotiate on net weight basis. Request glazing ≤ 15% for standard IQF shrimp; ≤ 20% for block frozen. Confirm all pricing is on net weight.
- Packaging format — Retail IQF bags (1 kg, 500g), food service bulk cartons (10 kg or 20 lb), master carton specification (number of inner packs, carton dimensions, print requirements)
- Certifications required — HACCP mandatory; BRC Grade AA for European retail; EU establishment number for EU; FDA registration for US; Halal for MENA/Muslim markets; BAP 4-star for premium buyers; MSC for certified wild-caught
- Label and packaging requirements — Country-specific label compliance, language requirements, shelf life statement, storage instructions
- Annual volume and ordering frequency — Quarterly, monthly, or rolling forecast
Step 2 — Certification Requirements by Market
Certification compliance is non-negotiable for B2B frozen seafood trade. The required certifications vary by destination market:
European Union
Seafood must come from an EU-approved establishment, identified by a unique EU approval number on the packaging. Each shipment requires a health certificate issued by Thailand's Department of Fisheries (DOF). IUU (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated) fishing documentation (catch certificate) is required for all marine-caught species. The EU's BRC Global Food Safety Standard (BRC) is the preferred food safety audit standard for retail buyers.
United States (FDA / USDA)
All seafood imported into the US must comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 123 HACCP regulations. Importers must maintain a Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP). The Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) requires catch documentation for 13 priority species including shrimp, tuna, and king crab. Thai processors must hold FDA facility registration. For USDA-regulated cooked ready-to-eat products, USDA FSIS equivalence may apply.
Middle East and GCC
Halal certification from an accredited certifying body is required. GCC food labeling standards apply including Arabic-language labels, production date, and expiry date in Hijri and Gregorian calendar formats. Some Gulf states require a certificate of conformity from an approved testing laboratory.
Japan and South Korea
These markets have among the world's strictest antibiotic and chemical residue standards. Japanese buyers require compliance with Japan's Positive List system for veterinary drug residues. Korean buyers may require KFDA approval for certain product categories. Both markets conduct frequent testing for banned substances.
BAP Certification
Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification from the Global Seafood Alliance is increasingly required by premium retail and food service buyers globally. BAP 4-star certification covers the farm, hatchery, feed mill, and processing plant — providing full supply chain accountability. Hanuman Seafood holds BAP 4-star certification for its shrimp supply chain.
Step 3 — MOQ and Order Structure
Minimum Order Quantities for frozen seafood from Thailand are typically structured around container economics:
- Sample orders: 10–50 kg per SKU (usually charged at cost — waived for qualified buyers placing follow-up orders)
- LCL (Less than Container Load): from 500 kg to 5 MT — practical for product trials and market testing, but freight cost per kg is significantly higher than FCL
- 20-foot reefer FCL: typically 14–18 MT of frozen seafood depending on packaging density — the standard commercial order
- 40-foot reefer FCL: 24–26 MT — the preferred format for high-volume buyers; maximizes freight efficiency
- Annual contract buyers: 12+ containers per year qualifies for priority allocation, tiered pricing, and dedicated production scheduling
FOB prices from Thailand are typically quoted per kilogram (net weight) for shrimp, per kilogram for fish, and per kilogram for cephalopods. Price ranges as of 2026: vannamei HLSO 21/25: $6.50–$8.50/kg FOB; black tiger HLSO 16/20: $12.00–$18.00/kg FOB; IQF squid tubes: $3.50–$5.50/kg FOB.
Step 4 — Cold Chain and Reefer Container Logistics
Maintaining -18°C or below throughout the entire supply chain is a legal requirement in most markets and essential for product quality and food safety. For B2B importers, the cold chain encompasses:
Reefer Container Specification
Standard reefer containers for frozen seafood export are 20-foot or 40-foot (high-cube preferred for volume efficiency). Key specifications to verify with your freight forwarder:
- Set point temperature: -18°C for standard frozen products; -25°C for sashimi-grade tuna and high-value products
- Pre-cooling requirement: container must be pre-cooled to set point before loading commences
- Data logger: modern reefer containers have integrated temperature loggers — request the download upon arrival as proof of cold chain integrity
- Ventilation setting: typically 0 cm³/hr for frozen products (no fresh air intake)
Transit Times from Thailand
- Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines): 3–7 days
- South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh): 7–12 days
- Middle East (Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait): 15–22 days
- East Africa (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam): 18–25 days
- Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Felixstowe): 22–30 days
- US East Coast (New York, Baltimore): 28–35 days
- US West Coast (Los Angeles, Seattle): 20–28 days
For routes over 25 days, request a temperature history from the manufacturer's cold storage to container loading point, in addition to the reefer data logger.
Step 5 — Export Documentation
A standard frozen seafood export from Thailand to B2B buyers internationally requires the following document set:
- Commercial Invoice — HS code (typically 0306, 0307 for crustaceans/molluscs; 0303/0304 for fish), unit price, total value, net and gross weight, Incoterms
- Packing List — Number of cartons, inner packs per carton, net weight per carton, production batch/lot numbers
- Bill of Lading (B/L) — Reefer set-point temperature noted; clean on-board B/L required for L/C payment
- Health Certificate — Issued by Thailand's Department of Fisheries (DOF); attests to food safety compliance and establishment approval status
- Certificate of Origin (Form A / Form D) — For preferential tariff claims under trade agreements
- Catch Certificate (IUU) — For all marine-caught species destined for EU, UK, and increasingly other markets
- Halal Certificate — For MENA and Muslim-majority markets; must be from an accredited certifier
- BAP Certificate of Conformance — For buyers requiring BAP-certified product
- Lab Test Report — Pre-shipment microbiological, antibiotic residue, and heavy metal testing as required by destination market
Step 6 — Payment Terms
Standard payment terms for frozen seafood from established Thai exporters follow these patterns:
- First orders from new buyers: 30–50% advance payment, balance against copy of Bill of Lading (T/T)
- Established buyers with track record: Letter of Credit (L/C) at sight, or 20–30% advance + balance at sight B/L
- High-volume annual contract buyers: Open account (30–60 days) after credit assessment and sufficient trading history
Contact our export team to discuss your product requirements, request samples, or receive a current FOB quotation. Our team responds within 24 hours.
