A practical, exporter-focused guide to shortlist and verify KAN-accredited Indonesian labs for shrimp antibiotic residues in 2025. Includes the top 12 labs to check, how to verify ISO/IEC 17025 scope, target LOQs for EU/US, TAT, cost, and what must be on a COA to avoid border issues.
If you export shrimp, you already know. A clean antibiotic COA can mean a smooth landing in Rotterdam or Los Angeles. A sloppy one can mean a hold, demurrage, and a buyer who won’t pick up your next call. We’ve booked and reviewed hundreds of Indonesian reports over the years, and this is the no-nonsense guide we wish we had on day one.
Here’s the thing. Not every lab that “does shrimp” is set up for confirmatory LC-MS/MS for nitrofuran metabolites and chloramphenicol at the LOQs EU and US buyers expect. And not every accredited lab is accredited for your exact matrix and analytes. So the work is twofold: shortlist the right labs, then verify their ISO/IEC 17025 scope is fit for purpose for Penaeus spp, nitrofurans (AOZ, AMOZ, AHD, SEM), and chloramphenicol.
The 2025 shortlist: 12 Indonesian labs worth checking for shrimp antibiotic residues
Below are labs we see exporters use for confirmatory testing. Scopes and capabilities change, so always verify current ISO/IEC 17025 scope on KAN before you book.
Government (Competent Authority network under KKP/BKIPM)
- BKIPM National/Reference Laboratory Jakarta. Often handles method development and confirmatory control testing.
- Balai Besar KIPM Jakarta I. High-throughput export-focused lab.
- Balai Besar KIPM Surabaya I. Key node for East Java ports.
- Balai KIPM Makassar. Coverage for Eastern Indonesia supply.
- Balai KIPM Medan I (Belawan). Useful for Sumatra packers.
- Balai KIPM Semarang. Central Java corridor.
Private/commercial labs 7) PT Saraswanti Indo Genetech (Bogor). Well-known LC-MS/MS capability across food matrices. 8) SUCOFINDO Laboratory Services (Jakarta/Surabaya). State-owned with multiple branches; confirmatory methods available. 9) SGS Indonesia Food Lab (Greater Jakarta). Part of a global network; confirmatory testing for residues. 10) Intertek Indonesia Food Testing (Greater Jakarta). LC-MS/MS support with accredited methods. 11) ALS Indonesia (Greater Jakarta). Network-based chemistry lab services; verify in-house scope vs network. 12) Balai Besar Industri Agro – BBIA (Bogor). Government lab under the Ministry of Industry with food residue testing capability.
Practical use: treat this as your call sheet. Contact two to three, compare LOQs, TAT, and sample prep fees, then lock in a standing arrangement for your peak season. We often keep one BKIPM lab and one private lab on standby, so we’re covered for both official controls and buyer-preferred COAs.
How do I verify ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for nitrofurans in shrimp?
I’ve found that most missteps happen here, not in the lab. Verify before you send samples.
Step-by-step
- Go to the KAN official site and open the Accredited Bodies directory. Search by lab name.
- Open the lab’s ISO/IEC 17025 certificate and detailed “scope of accreditation.” Download the current version.
- In the scope, check three things: matrix, analytes, method.
- Matrix. It should explicitly include shrimp/seafood. Look for “shrimp,” “prawn,” “crustaceans,” or a general “fishery products” category that the lab can confirm applies to shrimp.
- Analytes. You need nitrofuran metabolites AOZ, AMOZ, AHD, SEM and chloramphenicol. If any of those are missing, ask the lab if they’re pending extension. Don’t assume.
- Method. Look for LC-MS/MS with validated method IDs. Confirm the stated LOQs match your market.
- Confirm the lab’s use of the KAN mark. The report can only carry the KAN accreditation mark for tests within scope.
- Save the scope PDF. Buyers sometimes ask to see it alongside your COA.
Takeaway: if the scope doesn’t show your exact analytes and matrix, you do not have an accredited result for that test. Full stop.
What LOQ should I require for EU and US buyers?
- Chloramphenicol (CAP). Target LOQ ≤ 0.10 µg/kg. Many EU buyers ask for 0.05–0.10 µg/kg, with results reported as “< LOQ.”
- Nitrofurans (AOZ, AMOZ, AHD, SEM). Target LOQ ≤ 0.50 µg/kg for each metabolite. Some buyers accept 1.0 µg/kg, but 0.5 µg/kg is increasingly standard in 2024–2025.
- Reporting. Make sure the COA clearly lists the LOQ used for each analyte.
Why this matters: zero-tolerance substances like CAP and nitrofurans are judged against detection capability. If your LOQ is high, a buyer may reject the COA even if it reads “ND.”
Screening vs confirmatory: what do buyers accept?
- Screening. ELISA or rapid kits are fine for in-plant checks. They’re fast and cheap. But they’re not enough for export release.
- Confirmatory. LC-MS/MS with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation on shrimp. That’s what EU and US buyers want on the COA. Use screening to avoid surprises, then confirm on LC-MS/MS.
How long do tests take and how much sample should I send?
Typical 2025 ranges we see:
- Turnaround time (TAT). 3–5 working days for standard. 2–3 days rush. During peak season, plan 5–7 days. Government labs can be slightly longer during audit periods.
- Sample size. Send 500 g minimum per test. We ship 1 kg composite to allow duplicates/retest without a second courier run.
- Condition. Frozen at -18°C or colder, properly sealed. Include chain-of-custody and production lot ID.
Need a reality check on your sampling plan before you book? If you’re working with our Frozen Shrimp (Black Tiger, Vannamei & Wild Caught), we can help you design composite sampling aligned with your buyer’s spec. If you’re unsure, Contact us on whatsapp and we’ll share what’s working for other exporters right now.
Will EU or US buyers accept an Indonesian private lab COA?
- Commercial acceptance. Most EU/US buyers accept private, KAN-accredited LC-MS/MS COAs for pre-shipment assurance.
- Border controls. Official checks are at the discretion of the importing authority. For Indonesia-origin shipments, the BKIPM Health Certificate remains the official document. Some buyers will ask that antibiotic tests be performed at BKIPM or cross-checked if your risk profile is high.
- Practical approach. Use a private lab for speed and internal release, and coordinate BKIPM testing for lots headed to buyers with strict official-control clauses.
What does it cost in Indonesia in 2025?
Observed Q1–Q2 2025 market ranges (per sample, ex-works lab):
- Chloramphenicol by LC-MS/MS. IDR 1.5–2.5 million.
- Nitrofurans (4 metabolites) by LC-MS/MS. IDR 2.0–3.5 million as a panel.
- Bundle CAP + nitrofurans. IDR 3.5–5.5 million. Rush fees, extra certificates, sampling at plant, and courier all add up. Build 10–20% buffer into your QC budget.
What must be on the COA to avoid rejections?
We recommend checking every COA for the following before you ship:
- Lab name, address, and KAN accreditation number and mark.
- Reference to ISO/IEC 17025 and confirmation the tests reported are within scope.
- Sample description and matrix. Shrimp species or “shrimp products,” product form, lot/batch number, and sample condition.
- Analytes tested. Chloramphenicol and each nitrofuran metabolite listed individually.
- Method and instrument. LC-MS/MS method reference or internal method ID.
- LOQs. Clearly stated, per analyte.
- Results. In µg/kg, with “< LOQ” formatting where applicable. Include measurement uncertainty if provided in the scope.
- Dates. Sample receipt, analysis date, and report date. Cross-check with production date for plausibility.
- Authorized signatory. Name, position, signature, and page numbering.
Pro tip: ask for the report language your buyer prefers. We’ve seen avoidable delays just because a COA was issued only in Bahasa Indonesia.
Common mistakes we still see (and how to avoid them)
- Assuming “seafood scope” covers shrimp. Ask the lab to confirm the validated matrix is crustaceans/shrimp, not just fish fillet.
- Accepting ELISA as final. Use ELISA to screen, but release lots with LC-MS/MS COAs.
- LOQs not listed. If LOQs aren’t on the print, buyers may treat it as non-conforming.
- No composite strategy. Randomly grabbing a few tails from the top of a box isn’t a plan. Define lot, sampling map, and composite weight.
- Booking late. Lead times shrink fast at quarter-end. Pre-book capacity during peak harvest weeks.
Quick update on buyer expectations in 2025
In the last six months, we’ve seen more EU buyers standardize on CAP LOQ ≤0.10 µg/kg and nitrofuran LOQ ≤0.50 µg/kg, even when regulations don’t spell it out that tightly. Several importers also add a periodic “spot check” at destination, so your internal screening plus confirmatory COA is your best defense against surprise holds.
Bottom line: how to put this into practice
- Pick two labs now. One BKIPM UPT where you ship most often, plus one private lab with fast LC-MS/MS.
- Lock your specs. Put LOQs, matrix, analytes, and reporting format into your PO quality appendix.
- Build your sampling SOP. Composite, 1 kg, frozen, duplicated, with chain-of-custody.
- Verify every COA against the KAN scope before release. Five minutes here beats five days at a cold warehouse in Europe.
If you want a second pair of eyes on your lab shortlist or COA template, Contact us on whatsapp. And if you’re reviewing specs for a broader product range, you can also View our products to see how we align quality control with buyer requirements.