From Jan 1, 2026, certain seafood HTS codes from nations under MMPA/HSDFMPA restrictions require a NOAA Certification of Admissibility filed via ACE DIS for U.S. import admissibility.

Effective January 1, 2026, NOAA Fisheries will enforce seafood import restrictions under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act for certain fisheries and HTS codes. For fish and fish products from nations subject to these trade restrictions, admissibility to the United States will depend on a properly completed Certification of Admissibility (COA).

This CSMS does not change tariff rates, HTS classifications, or Chapter 99 provisions. Instead, it creates a mandatory documentary condition of entry for specific seafood products. Customs brokers and trade compliance teams must treat the COA as a required admissibility document for affected HTS codes, similar to other partner government agency (PGA) documentation.

Key operational points:

• Scope: Fish and fish products in any form from nations subject to import restrictions under MMPA or the High Seas Driftnet Act. The exact fisheries and designated HTS codes are listed on NOAA’s MMPA seafood import prohibitions webpage.
• Government certification: An authorized official or agent of the exporting nation must complete the COA. Required data include: U.S. HTS number, species description and product form (in English), weight in kilograms, fishing gear used, vessel flag, and vessel name(s) and number(s). For aquaculture, “AQ” is used as gear, the country of the facility is listed as vessel flag, and the facility name is used as vessel name.
• Legal attestation: The exporting government certifies that the fish/fish products are not from species or fisheries subject to U.S. import restrictions under the MMPA or High Seas Driftnet Act.
• Importer certification: The U.S. Importer of Record (or agent) must certify that the COA accurately describes the shipment and provide the U.S. Customs entry number. This importer certification is mandatory and must be submitted within 24 hours after release if not done earlier.

Filing requirements via ACE DIS:

• The COA must be submitted electronically through CBP’s ACE Document Imaging System.
• Use: Document Type: CERTIFICATE; Document Label: NMF_US_IMP_CERTIFICATION_ADMISSIBILITY; Document Code: NMF23.
• Prior to release: The COA with exporting government certification must be uploaded via DIS before CBP releases the shipment. Importers may also sign and upload the final COA before release to avoid a second submission.
• Within 24 hours after release: If the importer certification was not completed before release, the importer must sign and submit the COA with the final importer certification via ACE DIS within 24 hours of release.

Implications for brokers and compliance teams:

• Screening: For all seafood entries, screen HTS codes against NOAA’s list of designated HTS codes and affected fisheries. If a shipment is from a nation subject to MMPA/HSDFMPA restrictions and falls under a listed HTS code, a COA is required.
• Entry documentation: Treat the COA as a mandatory PGA document. Ensure the exporting government’s certification is present and legible, and that the HTS number on the COA matches the HTS declared on the entry.
• Timing: Coordinate with importers and foreign suppliers so that the COA is available in time for pre-release DIS upload. Build the 24-hour post-release importer certification requirement into internal controls to avoid non-compliance.
• Systems and SOPs: Update broker instructions, power of attorney annexes, and internal checklists for seafood entries to include COA verification and DIS upload steps for relevant HTS codes.

Failure to provide a valid COA for covered shipments may result in refusal of admission, holds, or enforcement actions, even if duties are correctly calculated and paid. For questions on scope and affected products, contact NOAA at MMPA.LOFF@noaa.gov; for COA technical issues, use trademonitoring.support@noaa.gov; for CBP-related questions, contact strategicenforcementbranch@cbp.dhs.gov.