A straight-talking, field-tested checklist for Indonesian shrimp exporters to pass Japan’s MHLW quarantine in 2026. What to test, how to choose a lab, how to write a COA that clears, and how to avoid enhanced inspections.
If you export shrimp to Japan, you already know this: MHLW doesn’t care how beautiful your product is if the residue tests don’t pass. In 2026, nothing about that reality changes. What does change each year is how risk-based surveillance is targeted and how strictly documentation is checked at quarantine. We’ve been on both sides of those desks, and in our experience the shipments that glide through all look the same on paper. This guide shows you how to prepare that paper.
The 3 pillars of passing Japan MHLW for shrimp in 2026
- Test the right panel at the right LOQs using ISO/IEC 17025 methods that align with MHLW’s positive list.
- Produce a clean, cross-referenced COA package that matches your lot, labels and import notification exactly.
- Run a disciplined pre-shipment QA routine that avoids triggers for enhanced inspection.
Do those three consistently and you’ll protect your margin and your schedule. Here’s how.
What exactly does Japan check for in farmed shrimp?
What antibiotic residue tests does Japan require for farmed shrimp?
Japan enforces the Food Sanitation Act using a positive list of veterinary drug MRLs. Practically, import quarantine focuses on a core panel for aquaculture shrimp:
- Nitrofurans. Banned. Labs screen the metabolites AOZ, AMOZ, AHD and SEM. These are zero tolerance findings at the method’s detection level.
- Chloramphenicol. Banned. Zero tolerance at LC-MS/MS detection.
- Fluoroquinolones. Commonly enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin. Japan sets specific MRLs by substance. Many buyers ask for “not detected” to build a safety margin.
- Tetracyclines. Oxytetracycline, tetracycline, chlortetracycline.
- Sulfonamides. Typical targets include sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole and sulfamethazine.
- Malachite green and leucomalachite green. Banned triphenylmethane dyes still turn up occasionally.
In our programs we screen a wider “positive list” LC-MS/MS panel that covers these families to the lowest practical LOQs. That way we don’t get surprised by a buyer’s add-on request.
Which nitrofuran metabolites does MHLW check for in shrimp?
All four: AOZ, AMOZ, AHD and SEM. These are reported individually. We recommend method LOQs at or below 1.0 µg/kg per metabolite. If your lab’s LOQ is higher, fix that before you ship.
Do Indonesian shrimp shipments to Japan need ethoxyquin testing in 2026?
Yes. Ethoxyquin, a feed antioxidant, remains on Japan’s radar for crustaceans. Most Japanese buyers expect a COA for ethoxyquin that aligns with MHLW’s MRL. In practice, we target “not detected” or, at minimum, results comfortably below buyer specs. Many procurement specs in Japan still reference ≤0.2 mg/kg, often considering the sum of ethoxyquin and its dimer. Confirm with your buyer and ensure your lab reports the form they require.
Does Japan test imported shrimp for sulfites, and what is the limit?
Yes. Sulfites are allowed for melanosis control, but Japan limits residual sulfur dioxide in crustaceans at a low threshold. Most buyer specs we see set acceptance at ≤100 mg/kg (as SO2). Use the Monier–Williams method or an equivalent validated method accepted by MHLW. If you dip late in production, verify residues after glazing. Last-minute metabisulfite additions are a common cause of failures.
What about microbiology like Vibrio parahaemolyticus?
If the product is raw and intended to be cooked, MHLW’s port checks are residue/additive focused. That said, Japanese buyers increasingly ask for V. parahaemolyticus, APC and E. coli indicators when the product will touch sushi counters, raw preparations or minimal-cook items. Our rule of thumb: if there’s any chance of raw or lightly cooked use, add Vibrio testing to your pre-shipment panel.
Your 2026 pre-shipment testing panel for Indonesian shrimp
Here’s the core panel we run before booking space:
- LC-MS/MS veterinary residues: nitrofurans (AOZ, AMOZ, AHD, SEM), chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, macrolides as available in method scope.
- Ethoxyquin (and ethoxyquin dimer if your buyer calls it out).
- Sulfites as SO2 (Monier–Williams or HPLC/IC method validated for shrimp matrix).
- Optional by program: malachite green + leuco form, Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
Sampling that holds up under scrutiny:
- Collect a minimum 1 kg composite from at least 5 cartons across the lot. Document carton IDs.
- Record pond IDs, harvest dates and any post-harvest dips. Keep a 1 kg retention sample frozen.
- Seal your lab sample. Maintain chain-of-custody forms.
If you’d like our COA template and sampling SOP, just Contact us on whatsapp. We’ll share what our Japan buyers actually approve.
How to choose an accredited lab in Indonesia for Japan MHLW shrimp testing
We’ve learned this the hard way: the fastest way to a port hold is a COA that doesn’t match MHLW expectations. When we vet labs, we look for:
- ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for the exact matrices and analytes. Ask for the lab’s scope and check shrimp/crustacean is listed for LC-MS/MS residues.
- LOQs aligned with Japan. For zero-tolerance analytes, we want LOQs around 0.3 µg/kg for chloramphenicol and ≤1.0 µg/kg for nitrofurans. For MRL-listed drugs, LOQs comfortably below the MRL.
- Methods that mirror or exceed MHLW-accepted methods. LC-MS/MS multi-residue methods should list target compounds explicitly. For sulfites, ensure Monier–Williams or a validated equivalent.
- Turnaround and confirmatory capacity. Screening results in 3–5 working days. Confirmatory in 5–7. Emergency re-test capability.
- COA completeness. Analyte list, unit, LOQ per analyte, result per analyte, method reference, measurement uncertainty and lab signature.
Pro tip: run one verification lot well before your first commercial shipment to Japan. Align expectations with your buyer using real data, not spec sheets.
What should be in the COA to clear MHLW quarantine?
A clean COA can make the difference between “green lane” and “please wait.” We include:
- Exporter, processor and plant approval numbers. Full facility address.
- Product description that matches the invoice and import notification. Example: “Vannamei shrimp, PD tail-on, IQF, 21/25.”
- Lot number, production date, pack size, carton count and total net weight.
- Sampling date, sample size and carton IDs sampled.
- Full analyte list with units and LOQs per analyte. Don’t hide LOQs in footnotes.
- Results per analyte. Use “ND < LOQ” where applicable and state the LOQ.
- Method references. LC-MS/MS method code, Monier–Williams for sulfites, etc.
- Lab accreditation statement and ISO/IEC 17025 scope ID. Authorized signature and date.
Everything on the COA must reconcile with the packing list, labels and your MHLW import notification. If you rename the product between documents, expect questions.
MHLW import notification and supporting documents
At minimum, align these five components:
- Import notification under the Food Sanitation Act. HS code, product name, processing type, origin, facility, additives, intended use. Accuracy matters.
- COA package as above.
- Process flow and additive declaration. If you use sulfites or phosphates, disclose properly.
- Label copies. Outer carton and inner pack labels should match the product description.
- Catch/farm information. Farmed species, pond IDs, harvest dates, feed and chemical use records on file.
The reality is, port inspectors work fast and look for mismatches. Tidy packages clear faster.
How can we avoid 100% inspection orders at Japanese ports?
Enhanced inspection orders usually follow repeated violations traced to the same exporter, processor or origin. We’ve reduced that risk by:
- One-lot, one-farm discipline. Don’t mix farms with different histories in the same lot to Japan.
- Pre-listing suppliers. Approve ponds and feed mills with documented chemical controls. Ethoxyquin often enters via feed. Fix it at the source.
- Keeping LOQs low and results far from limits. ND beats “just under the MRL.”
- Shipping a cadence of compliant lots. After several consecutive clears, inspection frequency can ease per MHLW risk rules published each year.
- Immediate CAPA on any deviation. Share root-cause and corrective actions with your importer. Silence invites tighter controls.
A common trap we see is last-minute metabisulfite dips to fix black spots before loading. That quick fix often creates a bigger problem on arrival.
Common mistakes that derail good shipments
- LOQ too high. A “not detected” with a high LOQ won’t satisfy quarantine for zero-tolerance drugs.
- COA doesn’t map to the lot. Missing carton IDs or mismatched product descriptions trigger holds.
- Incomplete analyte list. If your buyer expects ethoxyquin dimer and you only tested ethoxyquin, you’ll re-test under pressure.
- Late-stage additive use. Any additive added after QC should be re-tested for residues.
- Relying on a single composite when inputs vary. If you used multiple ponds or processors, increase sampling.
Where this advice applies (and when it doesn’t)
This checklist is for raw frozen farmed shrimp to Japan in 2026, inspected under the Food Sanitation Act. If you’re shipping cooked, breaded or RTE formats, expand microbiology and allergen control. If you’re shipping other species, check the species-specific MRLs and additive permissions.
Putting it into practice with Indonesia-Seafood
Our shrimp programs are built around this exact workflow. When buyers ask for proof, we hand them a COA packet that clears. If you’re looking for an Indonesia supply that ships with Japan-ready documentation, see our Frozen Shrimp (Black Tiger, Vannamei & Wild Caught). And if you need a pre-shipment panel or COA template tuned to your spec, Contact us on whatsapp. We’re happy to share what’s working now.
Key takeaway. In 2026, passing Japan MHLW for shrimp is less about surprises and more about discipline. Choose the right lab. Test the full panel at proper LOQs. Package your documents so a port inspector can say yes in under a minute. Do that, and your containers keep moving.