May 19, 2026
 

Malaysia to restrict five Thai shrimp species and tighten seabass import controls from 1 June

The measures will remain in force until Bangkok provides a full official response to Malaysia's food safety queries.

Malaysia's Agriculture and Food Security Ministry will impose a temporary import restriction on five shrimp species from Thailand and enforce mandatory Certificate of Analysis requirements for seabass imports, effective 1 June 2026.

The five restricted species are Penaeus esculentus (brown tiger prawn), Fenneropenaeus merguiensis (banana prawn), Penaeus vannamei (whiteleg shrimp), Penaeus monodon (giant tiger prawn) and Penaeus stylirostris (blue shrimp). The ministry said the restriction would remain in place until Thai authorities submitted a complete official response to questions raised by Malaysia, and would be subject to further evaluation based on that response.

For seabass (siakap), importers will be required to provide a Certificate of Analysis for all consignments entering Malaysia from Thailand. The ministry said both measures were aimed at strengthening national food safety controls to ensure that products entering the local market met established safety and quality standards.

Enforcement will be carried out jointly by the Food Safety and Quality Programme under the Health Ministry, the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS) and the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) at all entry points nationwide.

The ministry said it would continue close collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure smooth implementation without disrupting the domestic supply of seabass and shrimp.

— Bernama