Additional Guidance on MMPA Seafood Import Rules and COA Filings
Trade Update • Feb. 4, 2026
Key Points
- MMPA seafood import restrictions take effect January 1, 2026.
- Certain fish and fish products require a Certification of Admissibility.
- Both the exporting nation and the U.S. importer of record must certify the COA.
- COAs must be filed electronically through CBP’s ACE Document Imaging System.
- Importer final certification is due within 24 hours after release if not submitted earlier.
On December 10, 2025, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced the implementation of seafood import prohibitions under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) beginning January 1, 2026. Fish and fish products from countries with fisheries denied MMPA comparability findings will be barred from entry into the United States unless the shipment includes a signed Certification of Admissibility.
On February 3, 2026, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a follow-up notice clarifying how importers must comply with Marine Mammal Protection Act seafood import restrictions starting January 1, 2026. The guidance explains when a Certification of Admissibility is required, who must complete it, what information the form must include, and how to file it through CBP systems.
Certification of Admissibility (COA) Requirements
Authorized Exporting Nation Certification
An authorized official or agent from the harvesting or exporting country must complete and certify the COA.
The form must include:
- U.S. HTS number
- Species description and product form in English
- Weight in kilograms
- Fishing gear used
- Vessel flag
- Vessel name and number
For aquaculture products:
- List “AQ” as the fishing gear
- Enter the facility’s country under vessel flag
- Enter the facility name under vessel name
U.S. Importer Certification
The U.S. Importer of Record must certify that the COA information accurately describes the imported fish or fish product. If the importer does not certify the form before release, they must complete and submit the final certification within 24 hours after the shipment is released.
Filing the COA in ACE
Importers must submit the COA electronically through CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment using the Document Imaging System.
DIS Upload Details
- Document Type: CERTIFICATE
- Document Label: NMF_US_IMP_CERTIFICATION_ADMISSIBILITY
- Document Code: NMF23
The COA certified by the exporting nation must be uploaded prior to release.
For details on MMPA import rules, affected fisheries, HTS codes, and COA resources, visit NOAA’s overview page of Seafood Import Prohibitions under MMPA.
For additional information:
- MMPA import provisions and affected fisheries: MMPA.LOFF@noaa.gov
- COA technical questions: trademonitoring.support@noaa.gov
- CBP enforcement inquiries: strategicenforcementbranch@cbp.dhs.gov
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