Puerto Rico (PR)
Fish products for human consumption
1.1 Establishment registration
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;
- liquid fish and liquid fish products exported in a consignment of not more than 10 litres;
- dried fish and dried fish products (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 2 kilograms;
- fish products where fish or fish products are not the major component;
- fish or fish products that are animal food or pharmaceutical material;
- 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;
- 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.
1.2 Overseas listing
| Initial listing procedure for fish products for human consumption | Required? |
|---|---|
| *Establishments must be registered with US FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) under the Bioterrorism Act. Establishments should organise this registration directing with the US FDA. | |
| Establishment listing for Puerto Rico | No* |
1.3 Prohibited products
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.
1.4 Access for fish products for human consumption
| Product | Access? |
|---|---|
| Finfish | Yes |
| Bivalves (for example, oysters, scallops, mussels, oysters, clams, cockles, abalone, whelks, snails) | No; with the exception of roe-off scallop adductor muscle meat. |
| Crustaceans (for example, crab, prawn, lobster, scampi, crayfish) | Yes |
| Echinoderms (for example, sea urchins, sea cucumber) | Yes |
| Gastropods (for example, abalone, periwinkles) | Yes |
| Cephalopods (for example, squid, cuttlefish, octopus) | Yes |
| Tunicates (for example, sea squirts) | Yes |
| Crocodile | No |
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).
2.1 Harvest
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.
2.2 Microbial and residue sampling
Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.
2.3 Operational requirements additional to Australia's export legislation
Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.
2.4 Premises and equipment
Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.
3.1 Live fish
Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.
3.2 Non-viable fish
Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.
3.3 Crocodile
Australia does not have access to export crocodile to Puerto Rico.
3.4 Packaging
Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.
3.5 Labelling
Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.
3.6 Shelf life
Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.
4.1 Shipping marks
Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.
4.2 Refrigeration, transfer and loadout
Puerto Rico adopts US importing country requirements.
5.1 Import permit
Exporters should confirm with their importer if an import permit is required for their product.
5.2 Port of entry inspection and testing
6.1 Live fish
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;
- In sound condition
- Fit for human consumption
- 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.
6.2 Non-viable fish
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;
- In sound condition
- Fit for human consumption
- 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;
- In sound condition
- Fit for human consumption
- 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.
6.3 Crocodiles
There is no agreed certification for import of crocodile meat into Puerto Rico.
Fish products not for human consumption
1.1 Establishment registration
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.
1.2 Overseas listing
| Initial listing procedure for fish products not for human consumption | Required? |
|---|---|
| Establishment listing for Puerto Rico | No |
1.3 Prohibited products
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.
1.4 Access for fish products not for human consumption
| Product | Access? |
|---|---|
| Aquaculture feed | No agreed certification |
| Animal feed | No agreed certification |
| Crocodile skins and hides | No agreed certification |
| Technical products and pharmaceutical material (for example, fish oil capsule) | No agreed certification |
| Rendered products | No agreed certification |
| Shells | No agreed certification |
The Department is not aware of the requirements for animal feed. 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 requirements with their importer or the Puerto Rico competent authority prior to shipping any animal feed to Puerto Rico.
The Department is not aware of the requirements for crocodile skins and hides. 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 requirements with their importer or the Puerto Rico competent authority prior to shipping any rendered products to Puerto Rico.
The Department is not aware of the production requirements for rendered 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 production requirements with their importer or the Puerto Rico competent authority prior to shipping any rendered products to Puerto Rico.
The Department is not aware of the production requirements for technical grade and pharmaceutical 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 production requirements with their importer or the Puerto Rico competent authority prior to shipping any technical products or pharmaceutical material to Puerto Rico.
23/05/2023 - Content on this page may have changed location to conform to standard Fish headings.