What Restaurants Need to Know About South Carolina’s New Shrimp Disclosure Law

South Carolina restaurants will soon need to let diners know where their shrimp was caught.

A law signed by Gov. Henry McMaster on June 30 requires new signage and menu statements for restaurants serving shrimp. Restaurants have 120 days to comply with the new regulations.

The new law applies to any eatery serving shrimp, regardless of where the shrimp originated, and requires a disclosure on both a sign near the entrance and on the menu.

For restaurants that serve both imported and domestic shrimp, the required statement reads:

“Some items served at this establishment may contain foreign imported shrimp. Ask for more information.”

Restaurants that serve only imported shrimp must instead use the following language:

“Some items served at this establishment contain foreign imported shrimp. Ask for more information.”

In both cases, the disclosure must appear on the restaurant’s menu, if it has one, and on a sign that is clearly visible at the main entrance.

The law defines domestic shrimp as shrimp caught and landed in U.S. waters, while foreign imported shrimp refers to shrimp imported into the United States.

Businesses that fail to comply will first receive a warning from the S.C. Dept. of Agriculture and will be given three days to correct the violation. Subsequent violations may result in fines.

Quick Facts

Who is affected: Any restaurant, food truck, cafeteria or food service establishment serving shrimp

Required Action: Update menus and install entrance signage with the appropriate disclosure

Compliance Deadline: Oct. 28, 2026

Enforcement: Warning for first violation, fines of $100 to $5,000 per day for subsequent violations

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