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 [ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/bulletins/3ff3010 ], 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 [ https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2025-07/AdmissibilityFormOMBApprovedTo31July2028.pdf ]. 
 * *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