The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the Department) is the Australian government authority responsible for export registration, inspection and certification of Australian food and agricultural exports.

All premises involved in the production of fish and fish products for export, including fishing vessels where fish is prepared for export must be registered with the Department. For more information or assistance with the export registration process contact the Department's Dairy, Eggs and Fish program at dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au.

Exceptions to establishment registration

Preparation of goods at an export registered establishment and an export permit is not required if you are exporting the following as these goods are not prescribed under the Export Control (Fish & Fish products) Rules 2021;

1. liquid fish and liquid fish products exported in a consignment of not more than 10 litres;
2. dried fish and dried fish products (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 2 kilograms;
3. fish products where fish or fish products are not the major component;
4. fish or fish products that are animal food or pharmaceutical material;
5. fish or fish products not covered by paragraphs (a) to (d) (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 10 kilograms;
6. fish or fish products in the form of a tablet or capsule;

Note

However, if Puerto Rico requires a government certificate for the entry of the above goods, a certificate can be issued by the Department – provided that the goods have been prepared in an export registered establishment.

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements, which are shown below:

Bivalve molluscs

With the exception of roe-off scallop adductor muscle meat, to export bivalve molluscs to the US, Australia must demonstrate full compliance with the US National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) and must sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the US Food and Drug Administration.

Currently, bivalve molluscs intended for export from Australia are managed in accordance with the Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (ASQAP) which does not completely align with the NSSP.

These requirements do not apply to roe-off scallop adductor muscle meat.

Refer to section 1.3 for further information bivalve mollusc access.

US Bioterrorism Act

The US Bioterrorism Act requires establishment registration and prior notification for each shipment to the US. Exporters should organise these directly with US FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

Sourcing of fish and fish products

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.

Sourcing, slaughter and post-mortem inspection of crocodiles

Australia does not have access to export crocodile to Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.

Australia does not have access to export crocodile to Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.

​​Exporters should confirm with their importer if an import permit is required for their product.

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.

Bivalve molluscs

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements, which are shown below:

Australia does not currently have access for bivalve molluscs (excluding roe-off scallop adductor muscle meat). Refer to Section 1.3 for information.

Finfish, crustaceans, echinoderms, gastropods, cephalopods and tunicates

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements, which are shown below:

Exporters should ensure that a Prior Notice recognised under the US Bioterrorism Act is provided for each shipment to the US. A Prior Notice should be organised directly with the US FDA.

For finfish, crustaceans, echinoderms, gastropods, cephalopods and tunicates, use an FX46A Certificate with endorsement 2011.

Embedded endorsement

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are;

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin

Additional Endorsement 2011

The fish &/or fishery products listed above have been prepared using HACCP to control food safety hazards & are considered by the Department to be processed in accordance with the requirements of United States Food & Drug Administration Regulations 21 CFR Part 123.

Bivalve molluscs

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements, which are shown below:

Australia does not currently have access for bivalve molluscs (excluding roe-off scallop adductor muscle meat). Refer to Section 1.3 for information.

Finfish, crustaceans, echinoderms, gastropods, cephalopods and tunicates

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements, which are shown below:

Exporters should ensure that a Prior Notice recognised under the US Bioterrorism Act is provided for each shipment to the US. A Prior Notice should be organised directly with the US FDA.

For finfish, crustaceans, echinoderms, gastropods, cephalopods and tunicates, use an FX46A Certificate with endorsement 2011.

Embedded endorsement

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are;

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin

Additional Endorsement 2011

The fish &/or fishery products listed above have been prepared using HACCP to control food safety hazards & are considered by the Department to be processed in accordance with the requirements of United States Food & Drug Administration Regulations 21 CFR Part 123.

Roe-off scallop adductor muscle meat

Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements, which are shown below:

Exporters should ensure that a Prior Notice recognised under the US Bioterrorism Act is provided for each shipment to the US. A Prior Notice should be organised directly with the US FDA.

For roe-off scallop adductor muscle meat, use an FX46A Certificate with endorsement 2011.

Embedded endorsement

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are;

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin

Additional Endorsement 2011

The fish &/o​r fishery products listed above have been prepared using HACCP to control food safety hazards & are considered by the Department to be processed in accordance with the requirements of United States Food & Drug Administration Regulations 21 CFR Part 123.

There is no agreed certification for import of crocodile meat into Puerto Rico.

The Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021 does not regulate fish and fish products not for human consumption. Establishments processing such products are not required to be export registered with the Department unless it is a requirement of the importing country. Exporters are encouraged to confirm the eligibility and import requirements of their product with their importer, or directly with the importing country competent authority prior to export.

Importing countries may require a health certificate be provided for fish and fish products not for human consumption. If a health certificate is required, contact the Department's non-prescribed goods program at NPGExports@aff.gov.au for further information.

​​The Department is not aware of any prohibited fish products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check with their importers to determine if the products are permitted for import to Puerto Rico.