The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Veterinary Services Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is alerting U.S. importers that seafood products containing egg and/or milk ingredients may require import permits.
Current APHIS Animal and Animal Product Import program regulations require an import permit for products containing egg and/or milk ingredients from any region recognized as being a source of animal disease such as avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease.
Importers must apply for a permit for any product that contains an egg or milk product, including battered products, which can include egg binders and mayonnaise such as those used in breaded seafood or crab cakes.
Formulated seafood products subject to this regulation are found at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_07/9cfr94_07.html. Permit applications can be accessed at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/permits/.
The USDA's Veterinary Services program will assess the information provided on the permit to determine the need for animal health certifications from the exporting country. Failure to attain the necessary permit has significant consequences, including detention of products and a requirement that products be held at a bonded warehouse within 50 miles of the port.
For more information on the APHIS Animal and Animal Product Import program, visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports.shtml.
