Premium collection · Shrimp
Premium Black Tiger Shrimp — Specification Criteria for Importers
Reviewed 2026-10-24
Short answer: Premium black tiger shrimp is defined by a written specification, not a label: count grade per pound, presentation, glaze and net weight after deglazing, residue testing and destination approvals. CBI describes black tiger as a premium niche in Europe valued for colour, taste, texture and size.
Photo: Epipelagic, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Shows the species, not a supplier's product.
Specification criteria
- Count grade stated as pieces per pound or per kilogram, with the basis named (most forms per lb; head-on often per kg).
- Presentation: head-on shell-on, headless shell-on, peeled or value-added, raw or cooked.
- Net weight declared after glaze removal; glaze percentage and method stated.
- Uniformity, broken and soft-shell tolerances defined in the contract.
- Freezing method (IQF or block) and storage at −18°C or colder as a buyer target.
Buyer fit
- Retail and food-service programmes positioning shrimp on size, colour and texture.
- Importers in Europe, where CBI reports black tiger mostly arrives as packed final products.
Commercial benefits
- Differentiated product versus commodity whiteleg shrimp.
- Clear contract criteria make offers comparable across producers.
Risks to manage
- Residue findings: FDA Import Alert 16-127 allows detention of chloramphenicol-affected products from listed firms.
- Glaze in declared net weight is considered fraudulent by the US FDA.
- Missing destination approvals, e.g. China's overseas establishment registration under GACC Decree 280 (effective 1 June 2026).
- Seasonal and limited supply compared with whiteleg shrimp.
Limitations
- 'Premium' is not a legal grade; it only means the agreed specification.
- FishMatch cannot confirm stock, size distribution or quality before supplier documents are reviewed.
Documents to request
- Specification sheet: species, count basis, presentation, glaze, net weight, packing.
- Residue and antibiotic test reports from an accredited laboratory, per lot.
- Health certificate and establishment approval or registration for the destination.
- Traceability from farm and hatchery to pack.
Regulatory notes
- EU: sulphite limits for crustaceans depend on size class (150, 200 or 300 mg/kg for raw Penaeidae in the cited legal text).
- EU: covered animal products must meet Article 118 antimicrobial restrictions from 3 September 2026.
- US: FDA import alerts on drug residues; glaze excluded from net weight.
- China: GACC Decree 280 registration for overseas establishments.
No price ranges are shown because none were sourced for this product. Requirements vary by product and destination; each party remains responsible for the rules that apply to it. FishMatch does not certify products or guarantee compliance.
Comparison
| Point | Premium specification | Standard commodity specification |
|---|---|---|
| Count grade | Large grades fixed in contract, narrow tolerance | Mixed or wider grades |
| Net weight | After deglazing, stated | Often unclear |
| Documents | Lot residue tests + traceability | Minimum shipment documents |
| Presentation | Packed final product for retail/food service | Bulk for reprocessing |
Buyer questions
- What makes black tiger shrimp premium?
- A written specification: larger count grades, consistent presentation, honest net weight, lot documents and destination approvals. CBI describes it as a premium niche in Europe valued for colour, taste, texture and size.
Request through FishMatch
One free, reviewed RFQ for programmes from USD 250,000 per year or season. FishMatch coordinates all communication — buyers do not contact producers or suppliers directly. No availability, quality, certification or price guarantee.
FishMatch Group and the other Global B2B Group platforms are committed to conducting their own activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. FishMatch facilitates sourcing and RFQs; it does not manufacture, process, export or sell the listed products and does not grant regulatory approval. Requirements differ by product and by origin, destination and transit country. As buyer or importer, you remain responsible for your own import permissions, local requirements and due diligence. This notice does not change anyone's legal duties and is not legal advice. Regulation & responsibilities
Related pages
Sources
- The European market potential for farmed black tiger shrimp — CBI (Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs), 2022-03
- Import Alert 16-127 (chloramphenicol in seafood) — US FDA, 2026-10
- Letter on including glaze as part of the weight of frozen seafood — US FDA, 2009-02
- Regulation (EC) 1333/2008 Annex II, category 09.1.2 (sulphites in crustaceans) — EU legislation (UK National Archives copy), 2018-08
- GACC Decree 280 on registration of overseas food establishments — General Administration of Customs of China, 2025-10
- EU antimicrobial rules for imports of animals and animal products — European Commission