National Marine Fisheries Service Lifts Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Restrictions for Suriname

On June 22, 2026, The National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) issued comparability findings for the fisheries of Suriname. This action lifts the seafood import restrictions on these nations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Import Provisions (https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-12494).  
As a result, effective June 22, 2026, NOAA Fisheries no longer requires a Certification of Admissibility (COA) to accompany imports from Suriname. However, a COA may still be required if the products are processed in another nation with import restrictions under the MMPA. 
Resources on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule Codes and Countries of Origin flagged under the MMPA import restrictions and associated prohibited fisheries are available online: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/outreach-materials/harmonized-tariff-codes-and-other-resources-marine-mammal-protection 
More information about Suriname’s comparability finding reports and other MMPA Import Provisions updates is available online: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/international-affairs/2025-marine-mammal-protection-act-comparability-finding-determinations [ https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/international-affairs/marine-mammal-protection-act-comparability-finding-determinations-harvesting ] 
Questions on these import prohibitions can be directed to NOAA Fisheries 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 strategicenforcementbranch@cbp.dhs.gov.
Related Message Number(s): CSMS# 67590021, CSMS# 67055632