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Importing “Salmonids”
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What are salmonids?
Salmonids are any fish that belong to the family Salmonidae – basically,
any species of salmon, trout, or charr.
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Does the Service have special requirements for importing live
salmonids?
Yes. Salmonids may carry pathogens that could infect U.S. fish stocks.
Because these fish represent a potential health threat to U.S. fish
populations, the Service requires that imports be accompanied by
a health certification signed by a qualified fish pathologist in
the country of origin (
50
CFR 16.13). These requirements apply to:
- Imports of live salmonid fish
- Imports of dead uneviscerated salmonid fish (fish whose internal
organs have not been removed)
- Imports of live, fertilized eggs or gametes of fish from the
family Salmonidae
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Do other Service import requirements apply to these fish?
Yes. Salmonids that require health certifications must be:
- Imported at a designated port
- Declared to the Service
- Cleared by the Service for import
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Yes. Salmonids that do not require health certificates may still
be detained and inspected upon import.
Commercial importers must have an
import/export
license
and pay inspection fees.
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What about the exemptions for non-living fishery products intended
for human consumption?
Those exemptions do NOT apply to imports of dead uneviscerated
salmonid fish. These fish are subject to basic Service import requirements
as well as the health certification and permit requirements described
above.
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Do all salmonids require health certifications?
No. Health certifications are not needed for the following imports:
- Eviserated (i.e., internal organs removed) or filleted fish
- Fish or eggs that have been processed (e.g., canned, pickled,
smoked)
- Fish caught in the wild in North America under a valid sport
or commercial fishing license
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Contact:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Office of Law Enforcement
Phone: 703-358-1949
Fax: 703-358-2271
E-mail: R9LE_WWW@fws.gov
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