FOLLOW-UP: NOAA Fisheries Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Import Restrictions and Certification of Admissibility (COA) Requirements

Cargo Systems Messaging Service CSMS # 67590021 - FOLLOW-UP: NOAA Fisheries Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Import Restrictions and Certification of Admissibility (COA) Requirements This message serves as a follow-up to CSMS # 67055632 , providing further clarification on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries' Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) seafood import restrictions, effective January 1, 2026. A Certification of Admissibility (COA) is required for certain fish and fish products to attest they are not subject to MMPA import restrictions. How to Complete the Certification of Admissibility (COA): Authorized Official Completion: An authorized official or agent from the harvesting or exporting nation must complete and certify the COA form . Required Information: The form requires the following data: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Number Species Description and Product Form (in English) Weight (in kilograms) Fishing Gear Used Vessel Flag Vessel Name(s) and Number(s) For aquaculture product: "AQ" should be indicated under fishing gear, country of facility under vessel flag, and facility name under vessel name. U.S. Importer Certification: The U.S. Importer of Record must also sign and certify that the information on the form accurately describes the fish/fish products. This final certification must be submitted within 24 hours after the shipment is released. COA Filing Requirements: The COA must be submitted electronically through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portal via the Document Imaging System (DIS). DIS Upload Details: Document Type: CERTIFICATE Document Label: NMF_US_IMP_CERTIFICATION_ADMISSIBILITY Document Code: NMF23 Prior to Release Submission of the COA form, certified by the government official of the exporting nation, must be submitted via DIS prior to release. Importers may certify and sign the COA prior to release to upload the completed form once. Within 24 hours after Release U.S. Importer Certification: Within 24 hours after the shipment is released, importers must certify and submit a copy of this form with completed Importer of Record Final Certification to NMFS through the CBP ACE DIS, if not completed previously. For more information on MMPA import provisions, including a list of affected fisheries and designated HTS codes, and resources related to COAs: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/foreign/marine-mammal-protection/seafood-import-prohibitions-under-marine-mammal-protection-act Questions on these import prohibitions can be directed to NMFS at one of the following emails: For information relating to the MMPA Import Provisions, comparability finding determinations, and affected fish products, contact MMPA.LOFF@noaa.gov . For technical assistance on COA requirements, contact trademonitoring.support@noaa.gov . Questions can also be directed to CBP at the following email: strategicenforcementbranch@cbp.dhs.gov Related Message Number(s): 67055632