Vibrio parahaemolyticus in retail shell oysters were investigated. From April 2003 to March 2004, 252 oysters in shell were collected monthly in Fuzhou and Xiamen of Fujian Province, (39% from restaurants; 50% from retail markets and 11% from wholesale seafood markets). The V. parahaemolyticus in oyster samples was determined qualitatively and quantitatively by the Vitek identification system and the most probable number (MPN) technique. The geometric mean V. parahaemolyticus density in retail shell oysters was 46 MPN/100 g, with 46% had V. parahaemolyticus densities below the detectable level of 30 MPN/100 g; only two samples from Xiamen were found to harbor V. parahaemolyticus densities exceeding 10 4 MPN/100 g. There was significant difference in the V. parahaemolyticus densities between the two regions, and the differences were also found among different sampling sites and seasons. Oysters from Xiamen had higher densities of V. parahaemolyticus than did oysters collected from Fuzhou. The highest mean V. parahaemolyticus density was observed in samples from wholesale seafood markests. The highest mean V. parahaemolyticus density was observed in samples collected in spring (93 MPN/100 g) while approximately 40 MPN/100 g was observed in samples collected in other seasons. These data can be used to estimate the exposure of raw oyster consumer to V. Parahaemolyticus.