Thursday, November 13, 2014

Do I Need A License For Import / Export Of Fish In California

Import and export code differ for commercial and personal fish.


Regulation concerning the importation and exportation of fish in California is a heterogeneous series of overlapping legislation. The USA Branch of Agriculture, USA Fish and Wildlife Overhaul and the polity of California all corner laws governing the transport of animals across public boundaries. The short go back to the subject "End I devoir licence to import/export of fish in California?" is no. These ports can only be used as a final destination and not an intermediate destination.

Business License Requirements

Though fish may be imported and exported in California without a license, they may not be sold without one.



Any employ for importation is automatically approved whether no choice has been reached on the argument in a 60-day margin. The Fish and Entertainment Enactment makes exceptions with regards to Atlantic salmon and the eggs. No code in the Principle may be construed as restricting the importation of dead or living Atlantic salmon.


No endangered species may be imported or exported without written permission pursuant of the Endangered Species Event of 1973. The possession and transportation of endangered species is generally regional to universal agencies, zoological gardens and scientific or educational institutes or agents.


Federal Permit Laws


The USDA allows the importation of finfish----any fish with fins----in personal part without a conform. Exceptions exercise to eight species. Those species are accepted reproach, koi complain, grass criticize, silver quibble, bighead censure, Entrenchment, sheatfish and goldfish. The importation of any of these species requires a coincide and a veterinary health certificate. Any Californian importing such fish must corner permits from the country and the USDA.


The FWS requires all large-scale commercial shipments of fish ultimate into or going gone of the USA to be accompanied by a accord. Exceptions employ to species of shellfish or dead fish imported for human consumption.


Any species that is endangered or listed by the Partnership on International Commerce in Endangered Species requires permit, even if it falls into the area of exception.


FWS Port Regulations


FWS requires all large or commercial shipments of fish to be imported and exported through designated ports, border ports or specialized ports. Designated ports in California are Los Angeles and San Francisco.


Border ports are land or seaports serving as points-of-entry between the USA and Mexico or Canada, such as southern California border crossings. Border ports may not be used in the case of injurious species, endangered and threatened species, marine mammals and CITES species. Special ports are those in Alaska, Puerto Rico and Guam. On the other hand, it may wish a acquiesce, and the sale of fish requires licensure.

California Laws

California Fish and Amusement Code prohibits the importation of any aware aquatic plant of animal species without a conform from the kingdom.



In the latest edition of the California Fish and Game Code, enacted in 2009, lists the fee for such a license as $1,373.


Special licenses must be held by anyone receiving fishing shipments for commercial purposes, importing fish for the purpose of sale or selling fish wholesale. Thus anyone importing fish specifically for expressly commercial purposes must hold a special Fish Importer License.


Endangered and CITIES Species


FWS requires a permit for the importation of all endangered species and those listed by CITIES as regulated. Among the endangered or threatened fish in California are crayfish, fairy shrimp, pupfish and North American green sturgeon.


Species on the CITIES list are subject to national regulation. Fish listed by the organization include freshwater eel, blind carp, basking shark, cui-ui and seahorses.