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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