President Biden issued an Executive Order, effective December 22, 2023, which expanded prohibitions on imports of certain Russian origin fish, seafood and preparations, to include those products which are substantially transformed outside of Russia.
Previously Russian origin seafood products were banned from being imported into the U.S. effective March 11, 2022.
Imports using Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers for salmon, cod, pollock or crab are affected, when produced wholly or in part in Russia, or harvested in Russian waters, or by Russian-flagged vessels, even if substantially transformed into another product outside of Russia.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will require all imports of these HTS be self-certified by the importer of record stating that they do not contain Russian origin seafood. Any violations would be subject to hefty civil and criminal penalties.
CBP will allow, until February 21, 2024, imports of affected substantially transformed seafood with proof showing purchase orders or contracts dated prior to December 22, 2023.
Questions concerning this issue may be directed to the CBP’s Office of Trade at CTAC@CBP.DHS.GOV.
General questions may be directed to your Livingston account manager.