Starting October 28, 2026, South Carolina restaurants and other covered food businesses serving imported shrimp must tell customers with specific signs and menu disclaimers. But a notice about imported shrimp does not necessarily tell you whether the seafood came from Beaufort County—or even South Carolina.
For diners in Beaufort, Port Royal, Lady's Island and St. Helena Island, the change arrives during the fall shrimp season. It also comes as a separate Beaufort-area effort, Only From Our Waters, encourages restaurants to be more transparent about local and American wild-caught shrimp.
Quick take
- Effective date: October 28, 2026.
- Law: South Carolina Act No. 254 (H.4248), adding Section 39-25-175.
- Who is covered: Food service establishments serving ready-to-eat shrimp, including restaurants, food trucks and seafood retailers that cook shrimp.
- What it tells you: Whether the business serves foreign imported shrimp.
- What it does not prove: That the shrimp on your plate came from Beaufort or Port Royal Sound.
What South Carolina's New Shrimp Signs Actually Mean
The final text of Act No. 254 requires a notice on the menu, if the establishment has one, and on a sign visible at its main entrance when imported shrimp is served.
What customers see | Meaning under the law |
|---|---|
“Some items served at this establishment may contain foreign imported shrimp. Ask for more information.” | The establishment serves both imported and domestic shrimp. |
“Some items served at this establishment contain foreign imported shrimp. Ask for more information.” | The establishment serves imported shrimp but no domestic shrimp. |
No imported-shrimp notice | The law does not require a notice if the establishment serves only domestic shrimp or no shrimp. A missing sign is not independent proof of compliance or local origin. |
The difference between “may contain” and “contain” matters. A restaurant that serves a mix of imported and domestic shrimp must use the first version. A restaurant that serves imported shrimp but no domestic shrimp must use the second.
Neither statement identifies the origin of a particular dish. The most useful follow-up question is simple: “Where was the shrimp in this dish caught or sourced today?”
Does “Domestic Shrimp” Mean Local Beaufort Shrimp?
No. Under the statute, domestic shrimp means shrimp caught and landed in waters of a state or of the United States. That includes a much larger area than Beaufort County or South Carolina's coast.
That is why a restaurant without an imported-shrimp notice should not automatically be described as serving Beaufort-caught shrimp. It may serve domestic shrimp from elsewhere, may not serve shrimp at all, or may not yet be following the law correctly.
Who Enforces the Law?
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture is responsible for enforcement. A first violation results in a warning and three days to correct the problem. Subsequent violations can carry civil fines ranging from $100 to $5,000 for each day of violation.
The Department's Retail Food Safety guidance explains that the rule applies to prepared or cooked shrimp sold by covered establishments, including seafood retailers that steam or cook shrimp. A market selling only raw shrimp is not covered by this particular ready-to-eat food-service disclaimer requirement.
For complaints or business-specific compliance questions, use the Department's official retail food safety resources. This article is general information, not legal advice.
Beaufort's “Only From Our Waters” Program Is Different
The Beaufort Area Hospitality Association (BAHA) runs a separate voluntary initiative called Only From Our Waters. It promotes restaurants committed to representing local and/or American wild-caught shrimp accurately.
BAHA says the initiative includes a science-based verification process developed with the University of South Carolina Beaufort Department of Natural Sciences. Participating businesses may display a program decal.
Unlike the statewide imported-shrimp law, this is an opt-in hospitality initiative. And because its stated scope includes local and/or American wild-caught shrimp, the decal should not be interpreted as a promise that every shrimp served was harvested in Port Royal Sound.
Where to Ask About Local Shrimp in Beaufort County
For shoppers who want to cook shrimp at home, working docks and seafood markets can be useful starting points. Ask each seller what is fresh that day, where it was caught, and whether it was previously frozen. Availability varies with landings, weather and the season.
Gay Fish Company — St. Helena Island
1948 Sea Island Parkway, St. Helena Island. Gay Fish Company is associated with the Ward Creek working waterfront and local wild-caught seafood. Ask which shrimp are currently available and where they were landed.
Sea Eagle Market — Beaufort and St. Helena Island
Sea Eagle's working waterfront operation is at 34 Hallmark Road, St. Helena Island. Its Beaufort retail operation is in transition: an October 12, 2026 report says the business plans to move from 2149 Boundary Street to 1509 Salem Road, Unit A. The move was not yet a confirmed completed opening as of this article. Verify the current retail address before visiting.
Port Royal Seafood Sellers and Farmers Market
Port Royal is another place to ask local seafood sellers about their shrimp's source. The Port Royal Farmers Market operates on Saturday mornings near Ribaut Road and Pinckney Boulevard, but individual seafood vendor attendance and inventory can change. Check current vendor information before making a special trip.
For other local options, explore the Port Royal community guide and St. Helena Island community guide.
Five Questions to Ask Before You Order or Buy Shrimp
- Is the shrimp in this particular dish domestic or imported?
- If domestic, which state or coastal region did it come from?
- Is it wild-caught or farm-raised?
- Is it fresh, previously frozen or frozen?
- Does the restaurant participate in a sourcing-verification program such as Only From Our Waters?
These questions can help you make an informed choice without assuming that every restaurant or seafood market uses the same suppliers year-round.
Why Local Shrimp Matters to Lowcountry Life
Shrimping is part of the working-waterfront history of Beaufort, Port Royal and the Sea Islands. Docks, boats, seafood markets and local restaurants help connect residents and visitors to the area's coastal economy and food traditions.
For more local context, see our Beaufort community guide, St. Helena Island guide, and October 2026 Lowcountry events guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does South Carolina's imported shrimp disclosure law take effect?
October 28, 2026, under Act No. 254 (H.4248).
Does every restaurant have to post a shrimp sign?
No. The required imported-shrimp notices apply to covered establishments serving foreign imported shrimp. Businesses serving only domestic shrimp or no shrimp do not need that notice under this law.
Does a missing sign mean shrimp is caught in Beaufort?
No. Domestic shrimp can come from elsewhere in U.S. waters, and the absence of a sign is not proof of origin or compliance.
What is the difference between “may contain” and “contain”?
“May contain” applies when the establishment serves both imported and domestic shrimp. “Contain” applies when it serves imported shrimp but no domestic shrimp.
Are raw seafood markets covered?
Markets selling only raw shrimp are not subject to this particular ready-to-eat food-service disclaimer rule. Seafood retailers that cook or steam shrimp may be covered.
What does an Only From Our Waters decal mean?
It identifies participation in BAHA's voluntary program promoting accurate representation of local and/or American wild-caught shrimp, with a science-based verification process.
Where can I buy local shrimp near Beaufort?
Working docks and seafood sellers on St. Helena Island and around Port Royal are useful places to ask. Confirm today's catch, origin, inventory and business location before visiting.
Explore Beaufort and the South Carolina Lowcountry
Local seafood is one of many traditions that shape daily life across Beaufort County. Whether you're exploring neighborhoods, visiting the Sea Islands or considering a move, our team can help you learn more about the communities behind these experiences.
Published October 22, 2026. Legal information is based on the enacted statute and South Carolina Department of Agriculture guidance. Market locations, seafood availability and program participation can change. Confirm details directly with the business or relevant agency.
