Food & Beverage

What's the Tariff on Seafood (Shrimp)?

Imported shrimp from India, Ecuador, Vietnam, China.

💡
The 34% tariff on Seafood (Shrimp) is paid by American importers, not foreign manufacturers. Your 2 lb frozen shrimp now costs $17.41 instead of $12.99 — that's $4.42 more, or 34% of the sticker price going directly to tariff taxes.

Current Tariff Rate

34%

Pre-2025 Rate

0%

Rate Increase

+34pp

Price Impact

+34%

+$4.42

Real-World Price Impact

Before Tariffs

$12.99

2 lb frozen shrimp

After Tariffs

$17.41

2 lb frozen shrimp

That's $4.42 more per unit — a 34% price increase paid by the American buyer.

Note: Price estimates assume full tariff pass-through to consumers. Actual retail prices may vary — manufacturers may absorb some costs, shift production, or adjust margins.

The Story Behind This Tariff

Imported shrimp face a crushing 34% tariff that threatens America's most popular seafood. The US imports 90% of its shrimp, primarily from India, Ecuador, Vietnam, and Indonesia — countries that built massive aquaculture industries specifically to feed American demand. Domestic shrimp from the Gulf Coast covers barely 10% of consumption. The tariff arrives as global shrimp production has become one of the most efficient protein systems on earth, delivering frozen shrimp at $6-7 per pound. At 34%, retail prices surge past $9 per pound, pushing shrimp from everyday protein to occasional indulgence. Restaurants face acute pain: shrimp appears on more US restaurant menus than any other seafood. The tariff also carries environmental dimensions — higher prices for imported farmed shrimp could redirect demand toward wild-caught species already under pressure. India's shrimp industry, centered in Andhra Pradesh, employs 5 million workers who depend on US market access. Ecuador's shrimp exports, its second-largest earner after oil, face similar devastation.

📦 Supply Chain

Primary Origin

India

Made in USA

10%

Import Volume

$8.4B

Alternatives

Gulf Coast wild-caught (limited), Ecuador, Indonesia

📅 Tariff Timeline

2004

Anti-dumping duties on Chinese and Vietnamese shrimp

5-112% AD

2013

India emerges as top shrimp supplier to avoid AD duties

0%

2025

IEEPA tariff applies broadly to all shrimp imports

34%

👥 Consumer Impact

Households Affected

115M

Annual Cost Per Household

$52

💡 Did You Know?

  • Americans eat 4.6 pounds of shrimp per person annually — more than any other seafood by a wide margin
  • India's Andhra Pradesh state alone produces 800,000 tons of shrimp annually, mostly for US consumption
  • The US wild shrimp fleet has shrunk 70% since 2000, unable to compete with Asian aquaculture — the tariff won't reverse this

Tariff Details

HTS Code
0306.17
Current Rate
34%
Pre-2025 Rate
0%
Tariff Type
IEEPA

Legal Authority

IEEPA Executive Order (April 2, 2025)

Effective: April 2, 2025

"Liberation Day" — broad tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act

The tariff on Seafood (Shrimp) is paid by the American importer at the port of entry and passed through to consumers as higher retail prices. The foreign manufacturer does not pay the tariff.

Who Actually Pays This Tariff?

Despite claims that tariffs are paid by foreign countries, the 34% tariff on Seafood (Shrimp) is paid by American importers — US companies that purchase these goods from abroad. The cost is then passed to American consumers through higher retail prices.

  • ✓ The foreign seller receives the same price as before
  • ✓ The US importer pays 34% of the customs value to CBP
  • ✓ The retailer marks up the higher landed cost
  • ✓ You pay more at the register: $12.99 → $17.41

Related Products in Food & Beverage

🔍 Dig Deeper

See the Full Picture

Tariffs affect thousands of products. See how much they're costing your household.