Why Import Frozen Shrimp from Thailand?
Thailand is the world's premier source for export-grade frozen shrimp. Understanding how to import frozen shrimp from Thailand gives buyers direct access to Vannamei (Whiteleg) and Black Tiger Shrimp processed in BRC, HACCP, FDA, and EU-certified facilities — at FOB prices that are consistently competitive with Ecuador, India, and Vietnam, but with the certification infrastructure and processing sophistication that premium markets demand.
Thailand exported over USD 1.8 billion of frozen shrimp in 2025, serving buyers in the US, EU, Japan, Australia, the GCC, and across Asia. If you are a new importer, distributor, or retail buyer looking to source certified frozen shrimp from Thailand, this guide walks through every stage of the process.
Step 1: Choose Your Shrimp Species and Specification
Before contacting any supplier, define exactly what you need:
- Species — Vannamei (Litopenaeus vannamei) for consistent pricing and volume; Black Tiger (Penaeus monodon) for premium positioning and larger sizes. See our black tiger prawns vs vannamei comparison for a side-by-side breakdown.
- Product form — HOSO (head-on shell-on), HLSO (headless shell-on), PD (peeled & deveined), PDTO (peeled deveined tail-on), cooked peeled, IQF, or block frozen.
- Size grade — For Vannamei: 16/20, 21/25, 26/30, 31/40, 41/50, 51/60, 61/70, or 71/90 count per pound. For Black Tiger: U6, 6/8, 8/12, 13/15, 16/20.
- Certifications required — HACCP and a health certificate are mandatory for every market. EU buyers need EU approval number. US buyers need FDA registration and SIMP-compliant documentation. Middle Eastern buyers need Halal. Japan requires specific antibiotic testing.
- Volume — Standard minimum order quantity (MOQ) for direct import from a Thai frozen shrimp supplier is 1 × 20ft FCL (approximately 9 MT net). 40ft HQ reefer containers load approximately 18 MT.
Step 2: Find a Certified Frozen Shrimp Supplier in Thailand
The Thai Department of Fisheries (DOF) and the FDA maintain public registers of approved seafood processors. When evaluating how to import frozen shrimp from Thailand, shortlist suppliers who hold:
- HACCP certificate — minimum standard for all export markets.
- BRC Global Standard (Grade A or AA) — required by major UK and EU retailers; a strong proxy for overall quality management.
- EU approval number — issued by the DOF Thailand and recognized by the EU under Regulation 853/2004. Essential for EU importers.
- FDA registration — required for US import. Verify via the FDA FFDCA registration database.
- ASC or BAP certification — aquaculture sustainability standards increasingly required by US and European retailers.
- Halal certification — required for GCC, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other Muslim-majority markets.
Request copies of all certificates and verify them directly with the issuing body — not just the supplier. For EU importers, confirm the establishment number against the EU's approved establishments list.
Step 3: Request Samples and Evaluate Quality
Never commit to a full container order without evaluating samples. A reputable frozen shrimp supplier in Thailand will provide export samples at cost, or free of charge for buyers with clear purchasing intent. When evaluating samples, check:
- Glazing percentage — Weigh sample before and after thawing. The glaze should match the declared percentage (commonly 10–15% for IQF).
- Net weight per pack — Verify against label declaration.
- Size count accuracy — Count pieces in a 1 lb or 1 kg sample and confirm against declared count.
- Colour and appearance — No black spot (melanosis), no oxidation, no freezer burn, uniform colour.
- Odour after thawing — Clean, fresh seafood smell. Any ammonia or off-odour is a disqualifying defect.
- Microbiological testing — If your market has strict micro limits, send samples to an accredited lab for Total Plate Count, E.coli, Salmonella, and Listeria testing.
Step 4: Negotiate Incoterms and Pricing
Most Thai frozen shrimp is traded on FOB (Free on Board) Bangkok, Laem Chabang, or Songkhla. FOB pricing transfers risk and cost to the buyer at the port of loading — you arrange and pay for freight and insurance from Thailand to your destination port. This gives you more control over freight costs and carrier selection.
Alternatively, CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) pricing includes freight and insurance to your destination port. CIF is simpler for first-time importers but gives less freight cost visibility. For buyers doing regular container volumes, FOB typically delivers better economics.
Typical FOB price ranges from Thailand (May 2026):
- Vannamei 21/25 HLSO IQF: USD 5.50–7.00/kg
- Vannamei 31/40 PD IQF: USD 4.50–6.00/kg
- Black Tiger 8/12 HOSO IQF: USD 10.00–13.00/kg
- Black Tiger 16/20 HLSO IQF: USD 8.00–11.00/kg
Prices vary with season, species, farming cycle, and global demand. Always confirm current pricing directly with your supplier — these ranges are indicative.
Step 5: Place Your Order and Confirm Production
Once samples are approved and pricing is agreed, confirm your order with a Purchase Order (PO) or signed Proforma Invoice. Specify:
- Species, product form, size count, glazing percentage
- Net weight per pack and master carton weight
- Packaging artwork and labeling requirements (including any market-specific language)
- Certifications and documentation required
- Requested vessel departure window (ETD)
- Payment terms (typically 30% TT deposit + 70% against copy bill of lading for first orders)
Production lead time in Thailand is typically 15–30 days from order confirmation depending on product form and current plant capacity.
Step 6: Arrange Cold Chain Logistics
Frozen shrimp must be maintained at -18°C or below from processing plant to your cold store. The Thailand-to-destination cold chain consists of:
- Pre-cooled reefer container — The container is pre-cooled to -20°C before loading at your supplier's facility. Confirm pre-cooling temperature on the loading record.
- Container loading supervision — Request a loading report or arrange third-party supervision (SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas) to confirm product condition and temperature at loading.
- Reefer data logger — Modern reefer containers record temperature continuously throughout the voyage. Request the temperature download upon arrival and check for any breaks in the cold chain.
- Port reception — Arrange immediate transfer from the port to your bonded cold store. Do not leave frozen seafood sitting in a reefer at ambient temperatures for extended periods.
Transit times from Thai ports to key destinations: EU (Hamburg, Rotterdam) 25–28 days; US East Coast 28–35 days; US West Coast 20–25 days; Japan 7–10 days; Australia 12–15 days; GCC (Jebel Ali) 18–22 days.
Step 7: Prepare Import Documentation and Clear Customs
A typical frozen shrimp import from Thailand requires:
- Commercial Invoice — species, quantity, unit price, total value, Incoterms, HS code.
- Packing List — number of cartons, net and gross weight, dimensions.
- Bill of Lading — issued by the shipping line.
- Health Certificate — issued by Thailand's Department of Fisheries, attesting to product safety and origin.
- Certificate of Origin — for tariff preference programs (e.g., GSP, ASEAN FTA).
- HACCP Certificate — required by EU and US customs authorities.
- Certificate of Analysis (COA) — microbiological and chemical test results for the specific lot.
- EU: EU health certificate (model FISH for EU imports) issued by Thai DOF.
- US: Prior Notice to FDA and SIMP catch documentation for shrimp.
- Halal certificate (if required for your destination market).
Work with a licensed customs broker experienced in seafood imports to ensure correct HS code classification, duty calculation, and document submission timelines.
Step 8: Source from a Reliable Frozen Shrimp Supplier in Thailand
The most common reason importers switch suppliers is not price — it is inconsistency in quality, documentation errors, and late shipments. When evaluating how to import frozen shrimp from Thailand successfully over the long term, look for a supplier with:
- Multiple certifications covering your target markets
- Dedicated export team with English-language capability
- On-time shipment track record (ask for references)
- Willingness to accommodate third-party inspection
- Transparent pricing with itemized cost breakdowns
Hanuman Seafood has been exporting frozen shrimp from Thailand to 40+ countries for over 20 years. Our BRC, HACCP, FDA, EU, ASC, BAP, Halal-certified facilities in Phetchaburi, Songkhla, and Ranong process Vannamei and Black Tiger Shrimp in all major commercial forms. MOQ is 1 × 20ft FCL. We provide samples before first orders and welcome factory audits.
Ready to Import Frozen Shrimp from Thailand?
Contact our export team with your target species, product form, size, volume, and destination market — we will respond with a detailed FOB quotation within 24 hours.
