The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced that electronic filing in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) will be required for the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) as of January 1, 2018.
The SIMP covers high-risk species, including Atlantic and Pacific Cod, Blue Crab (Atlantic), King Crab (red), Dolphinfish (Mahi Mahi), Grouper, Red Snapper, Sea Cucumber, Sharks, Swordfish and Tunas (Albacore, Bigeye, Skipjack, Yellowfin, and Bluefin). Once the program is mandatory, importers of these products will be required to obtain an International Fisheries Trade Permit (IFTP).
Just under a hundred (100) Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers are flagged for SIMP, with some products also covered under NMFS’ 370 Tuna Tracking program and/or Highly Migratory Species (HMS) program.
An ACE test pilot will be available prior to the mandatory filing requirements. It will be open for all commodities and all modes of transportation.
Filers will have to transmit information on the harvester or producer, the fish, the place of harvest and landing and the importer’s IFTP number.
NMFS intends to apply SIMP requirements to shrimp and abalone, but this will be at a later time.
If you have any questions regarding the new NMFS Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), Livingston can help! Please contact either your Livingston account manager or our regulatory affairs department at usregaffairs@livingstonintl.com.