TRACES NT CHED-P: Indonesian Seafood 2025 Complete Guide

A practical, field-by-field walkthrough to complete TRACES NT CHED-P for Indonesian farmed (vannamei) frozen shrimp in 2025. Learn the right CN/species selection, establishment numbers, temperature, documents, prenotification, and the common errors that trigger EU BCP rejections.

We’ve helped importers clear thousands of tons of Indonesian vannamei through EU Border Control Posts. And we’ve seen how small CHED-P errors can stall a container for days. This is the exact 2025 playbook we use internally when preparing TRACES NT for frozen aquaculture shrimp from Indonesia.

What this guide covers (and what it doesn’t)

This guide is focused on frozen, farmed Litopenaeus vannamei from Indonesia for human consumption. Think IQF PD/PDTO/HOSO shrimp in master cartons. We’re not covering wild-caught shrimp (IUU/CATCH applies there), composite products, the UK/IPAFFS, or customs duty filings.

If you’re buying raw frozen farmed shrimp like the ones in our Frozen Shrimp (Black Tiger, Vannamei & Wild Caught) line, this is for you.

The three pillars of a clean CHED-P in 2025

In our experience, BCPs approve shrimp CHED-Ps quickly when three things line up perfectly:

Classification alignment. CN code, species name, and product state in TRACES NT mirror the Health Certificate and the commercial invoice. No creative interpretations.
Establishment traceability. The Indonesian EU-approved establishment number is correctly entered and matches the Health Certificate. If there are multiple establishments, they’re all listed.
Temperature and logistics clarity. The “frozen” selection, container/seal numbers, and weights are consistent across CHED-P, Health Certificate, and bill of lading.

Get those right and you avoid 80 percent of rejections we see.

Field-by-field: How we complete CHED-P for Indonesian vannamei

Below is the practical walkthrough we use. We’ll hit the common questions along the way.

Which CN code should I select for frozen Indonesian vannamei?

For raw frozen shrimp, select CN chapter 0306. In TRACES NT, choose “Fishery products – Crustaceans – Shrimps and prawns – Frozen.” The CN code is 030617 for frozen shrimps and prawns. For farmed vannamei, the specific 8-digit CN typically resolves to 03061790 (other than Pandalus borealis). If your product is cooked, breaded, or prepared, you’ll likely be in 1605. That’s outside this guide’s scope.

Takeaway: If the commercial invoice and Health Certificate say “raw frozen shrimp,” 030617 is correct. If they say “cooked” or “prepared,” pause and recheck classification before you file.

Do farmed shrimp from Indonesia need a catch certificate for the EU?

No. Aquaculture shrimp aren’t subject to the IUU Catch Certificate. In TRACES NT, make sure the production method is set to aquaculture. If you accidentally flag the consignment as wild-caught, the BCP may hold you for a missing CATCH. We’ve seen that derail arrivals for days.

Where do I enter the Indonesian processing plant approval number?

Enter it in Part I, box I.11 “Place of origin” in TRACES NT. Search and select the EU-listed Indonesian establishment. If there are multiple establishments on the Health Certificate, add each one. The approval number(s) must match the Health Certificate exactly, including format.

Pro tip: If TRACES NT doesn’t find the plant, stop and check the EU listing and the certificate. Don’t free-type a name without the correct approval number.

What supporting documents should I upload?

Upload a color scan of the Indonesian Fishery Products Health Certificate issued by the competent authority (BKIPM/KKP). Also attach the commercial invoice and packing list. We usually add the bill of lading and the temperature recorder summary if available. Some BCPs now request clearer label photos when there’s any doubt on product state or glazing.

Link the Health Certificate in TRACES NT under “Documents” with number and date that match the original. Many Indonesian HCs now include QR codes. Still upload the full signed certificate as a PDF.

How do I complete I.31 “Description of commodity” for shrimp?

Keep it specific and consistent with the Health Certificate and invoice. A typical line we use:

“Frozen farmed vannamei shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, PD tail-on, IQF. CN 030617. Packed 2 kg x 6 bags per master carton. 1,250 cartons. Net weight 15,000.00 kg. Gross 16,200.00 kg. Kept frozen at -18°C or below. Establishment: ID-XXXX (name). Lot codes: VN25-0101 to VN25-0125.”

Match packaging formats and counts exactly. If you have two different bag sizes or presentations, add separate I.31 lines. One CHED-P can include multiple lines as long as they’re covered by the same Health Certificate and origin(s). Top-down view in a cold store of an open master carton on a pallet containing six clear bags of IQF vannamei shrimp arranged neatly in two rows of three, with light frost and a worker’s gloved hands counting the bags.

Temperature and logistics selections that matter

In “Temperature,” select Frozen. Never leave it as Ambient or Chilled for shrimp.
Enter the container number(s) and seal number(s). These must match the bill of lading and, where shown, the Health Certificate.
For “Means of transport,” pick Maritime for sea freight, then add vessel and voyage if known.

Mismatch on any of these is a common red flag at the BCP.

Who can create the CHED-P: importer or customs agent?

The “operator responsible for the consignment” does the prenotification in TRACES NT. In practice, that’s often the EU importer or their customs broker. Exporters outside the EU typically can’t submit, but we coordinate with importers by providing a clean data sheet that mirrors the certificate. If you need a template, ask us to share ours.

Can I combine several carton sizes or lots on one CHED-P?

Yes, if all lines are covered by the same Health Certificate and come from the same country and approved establishment(s). Different sizes, glazes, or bag formats are fine as separate I.31 lines. But don’t mix raw frozen with cooked or prepared products under the same CHED-P. That usually implies different CN codes and should be separated.

How far in advance must I submit the CHED-P to the BCP?

EU rules require prenotification at least one working day before arrival, unless the BCP officially allows a shorter window. Many BCPs accept shorter notice for air shipments (often 4–8 hours) and still expect 24 hours for sea. Check your chosen BCP’s website because they do publish local cutoffs. We try to file 24–48 hours ahead for sea to avoid weekend surprises.

The most common reasons BCPs reject shrimp CHED-Ps (and how to avoid them)

We see the same patterns repeat:

CN code doesn’t match the product state. You selected 030617 “frozen raw,” but the invoice says “cooked.” Reclassify or split consignments before arrival.
Species name mismatch. Use Litopenaeus vannamei in TRACES NT. If your docs say “Penaeus vannamei,” ask the exporter to add the accepted name in parentheses to avoid questions.
Wrong temperature selection. Choosing Chilled for frozen shrimp will trigger extra checks. Pick Frozen.
Establishment not listed or wrong format. Enter the EU-approved ID exactly as on the HC under I.11 and again in I.31 description.
Weight and package count discrepancies. Net and gross weights across CHED-P, invoice, and HC must align within reasonable tolerance.
Container and seal numbers missing or mismatched. Triple-check against the BL and the certificate if listed.
Unclear product description. Use presentation codes the BCPs understand: HOSO, HLSO, PD, PUD, PDTO, etc. Spell them out once in full in I.31.

If you’re unsure whether two items belong on one CHED-P, we recommend splitting them. A second CHED-P costs less time than a BCP hold.

A quick example: IQF PD tail-on, 2 kg x 6 bags

Here’s how we’d structure a straightforward vannamei shipment in TRACES NT:

Part I
- I.6 Country of origin: Indonesia
- I.7 Country of dispatch: Indonesia
- I.11 Place of origin: Select the Indonesian EU-approved establishment (approval no. ID-XXXX)
- I.13 Place of loading: Port in Indonesia
- I.15 Means of transport: Maritime. Vessel name if available
- I.19 Container and seal: ABCU1234567 / ID123456
- I.31 Description: “Frozen farmed vannamei shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, PD tail-on, IQF. CN 030617. Pack 2 kg x 6 per carton. 1,250 cartons. Net 15,000.00 kg. Gross 16,200.00 kg. -18°C or below. Est. ID-XXXX (name). Lot VN25-0101 to VN25-0125.”
- Documents: Upload Health Certificate, invoice, packing list; reference HC number and date
Part II (BCP decision) is completed by the border authority after arrival.

Need help matching I.31 to your packing list? Share your draft lines and we’ll sanity-check them before you submit. If timing’s tight, contact us on whatsapp.

Recent enforcement trends we’re seeing

Tighter species naming. Since late 2024, several EU BCPs started querying “Penaeus vannamei” without “Litopenaeus.” Add the accepted name to reduce back-and-forth.
Labels vs. docs alignment. More requests for photo evidence of inner-bag labels when the description is borderline (PD vs. PDTO, glazing percentage). We keep a standard label photo set ready for upload.
CN and customs SAD cross-check. Some BCPs are comparing your CHED-P CN with your customs declaration. If they diverge, expect questions. Align them upfront.

Practical takeaways you can use today

Use CN 030617 for raw frozen shrimp, species Litopenaeus vannamei, and set the product as Frozen.
Enter the Indonesian EU-approved establishment under I.11 and mirror it in I.31.
Keep I.31 precise: presentation code, IQF/block, bag x carton, counts, net/gross, lots.
Upload a clean Health Certificate and link the number/date exactly.
Prenotify one working day before arrival unless your BCP’s published rules say otherwise.
When in doubt, split consignments instead of mixing presentations under one CHED-P.

If you want a second set of eyes on your draft CHED-P or need an export spec that maps cleanly into TRACES NT, we’re happy to help. See how our formats and pack styles align with EU expectations in View our products, or Contact us on email for a sample data sheet.