CSMS #69054058 · National Marine Fisheries Service Lifts Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Restrictions for Suriname

Brief takeaway: According to the notice, NOAA Fisheries has lifted certain seafood import restrictions for Suriname, so a Certification of Admissibility may no longer be needed for imports from that country.

What changed: The notice states that on June 22, 2026, NOAA Fisheries issued comparability findings for the fisheries of Suriname, lifting seafood import restrictions under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Import Provisions. As a result, the notice says a Certification of Admissibility (COA) is no longer required to accompany imports from Suriname, effective June 22, 2026. However, the notice adds that a COA may still be required if products are processed in another nation with MMPA import restrictions.

Who's affected: The notice names Suriname as the country of origin and refers to seafood/fish products tied to MMPA import provisions. The notice does not list specific HTS codes in the text but cites a NOAA resource for Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes, flagged countries of origin, and prohibited fisheries.

What to review:
- Review whether your seafood imports originate in Suriname and how the lifted restrictions may be relevant.
- Confirm with your broker whether a COA is still required due to processing in another MMPA-restricted nation.
- Check the NOAA HTS code and country-of-origin resource cited in the notice for products flagged under MMPA.
- Confirm the effective date and any reporting steps with your licensed customs broker or CBP.

This is general information, not legal advice and not a compliance determination — confirm specifics with a licensed customs broker or trade counsel.