National Marine Fisheries Service Restricts Imports from the Philippines Blue Swimming Crab Fisheries under the Marine Mammal Protection Act

On May 12, 2026, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) denied the comparability findings for the two blue swimming crab fisheries from the Philippines. In addition, NOAA Fisheries issued comparability findings for the blue swimming crab fisheries for Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam (https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-09429). 

 

As a result, seafood imports from the Philippines blue swimming crab fisheries will be restricted as of June 11, 2026. Please see the NOAA Fisheries resource below for the U.S. HTS codes flagged from the Philippines that will require a Certification of Admissibility (COA) upon entry to confirm admissibility.  

 Resources on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule Codes and Country 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 these nations’ 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 

Questions on these import prohibitions can be directed to the National Marine Fisheries Service (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

Questions can also be directed to CBP at strategicenforcementbranch@cbp.dhs.govRead More→

https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-41b8b56?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2