Health Certificates for Aquatic Animal Shipments from Florida

Feeling a little confused about getting health certificates done for aquatic animals?  You're not alone!  Many producers feel anxiety about getting health certificates done for aquatic animals, and there are several reasons for it.  What are the requirements?  Who inspects the fish?  Which form do you use?  What should the certificate say?  The following information is intended to help guide Florida ornamental fish producers through the health certification process.  A step-by-step "Quick Guide" is also listed below. Please note that it is the sole responsibility of the exporting shipper to determine what the requirements are for the state or country to which the animals are being shipped.

International shipments (movements between countries):
For international destinations, each country may have specific health requirements for the entry of animals.  These requirements are established by the importing country, not the United States.  Other countries may also have their own certificate format.  The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) lists specific health requirements related to shipments of aquatic animals to Brazil, Chile, China, Japan, and Spain.  However, not all countries that have import requirements for aquatics are currently listed on this site.  For example, the United Kingdom and France have import requirements for aquatics not yet added to the USDA database.  For movement of fish to European Union (EU), check out eFishBusiness.  It is strongly recommended that exporters wanting to ship aquatic animals to countries whose requirements are not specifically described have the importer/buyer in the country of destinations apply for an import permit at the appropriate ministry.  This import permit will most likely outline the specific requirements.

Interstate shipments (movements between US states):
Some states have special requirements for bringing aquatic animals in from other states.  Many of these regulations can be found at www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs; however, it is highly recommended that the shipper contact the State Veterinarian’s office in the destination state to make sure all the requirements are met. In some states, the state wildlife agency should be contacted also as the state veterinarian is not the lead “agency” for fish health in some states.

For additional information on interstate export requirements, contact the Area Veterinarian-in-Charge (AVIC) who can provide information on current regulations, tests, and inspections that may be required. Because export requirements frequently change, obtain current export requirements from the USDA Veterinary Service area office before each shipment.  In Florida, the USDA area office is located in Gainesville.  The export clerk can be contacted at 352-333-3120 x200.

Additional International and Interstate Restrictions
Be aware that states and countries may have restrictions on certain species.  Be sure to check if the animals being moved require a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (for example, CITES listed animals such as seahorses) or if a state has certain restrictions on animals (for example, injurious wildlife such as the walking catfish (family Clariidae)). 

Who inspects the fish?
Most importing countries require that a USDA-accredited veterinarian at least visually examine all (or a representative sample) of the animals being shipped.  (USDA-accredited veterinarians are private veterinarians who have special training to sign official USDA health certificates.)  Some countries require additional diagnostic tests for specific diseases. The extent of the veterinary inspection depends on the requirements established by the importing country, not the United States.  The veterinarian will usually charge for this service regardless of whether or not the shipment passes inspection.  It is, therefore, in the exporter’s best interest to be confident of the good health of the animals before scheduling an inspection.  (A two day fish health course geared toward fish production is offered at the Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory in the spring and fall of each year.)  Plan ahead when scheduling a shipment requiring health certification to ensure that a USDA-accredited veterinarian and, if necessary, a USDA APHIS Veterinary Services area official (see “Who has to sign the certificate?” below) are available to perform the inspection.  In the Tampa Bay area, the Tropical Aquaculture Lab has USDA-accredited veterinarians who can perform the necessary inspections for exportation of ornamental fish and aquatic invertebrates by Florida aquaculture producers.  To schedule an inspection, contact Dr. Roy Yanong at 813-671-5230 x104, Dr. Kathy Heym Kilgore at 813-671-5230 x114, or Dr. Shari Hanson at 813-671-5230 x115.  The lab charges $30 per shipment for health certification.

Which form to use?
To date there is no dedicated form for aquatic animal health certification. (One is in the works though!).  For now use USDA APHIS form 7001 (Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals) or USDA APHIS form 17-140 (United States Origin Health Certificate).  The USDA-accredited veterinarian will likely have these forms.  As with other official documents of this type, the certificate should be typewritten, accurate, complete and must be signed in a color different from the text.

What should the certificate say?
If no specific requirements are listed by the importing country or state, general statements may be printed or typed on the form by the accredited veterinarian. For shipments of ornamental species, the statement should say “ornamental” not tropical fish.  At a minimum, the number of animals and the common and scientific names of each should be listed on the form.

Who has to sign the certificate?
USDA-accredited veterinarian
Health certificates for the export of aquatic animals are completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian who certifies animal health status by inspecting the shipment, collecting any specimens for diagnostic testing (as required by the importing country), and recording test results for the animals being exported.  The veterinarian will usually charge for this service regardless of whether or not the shipment passes inspection.

Endorsing federal veterinarian
In addition to the inspection and signature by the USDA-accredited veterinarian, some foreign countries require that exports from the United States be endorsed and stamped by a USDA APHIS Veterinary Services area official (“endorsing federal veterinarian”) in order to be valid.  For endorsement in Florida, certificates may be sent or taken in person to 1) USDA-APHIS-VS veterinarian Dr. Kathleen Hartman (813-671-5230 x119) located here at the Tropical Aquaculture Lab in Ruskin, 2) the USDA APHIS area office in Gainesville (contact Judy Moreno 352-333-3120 x200) or 3) the USDA APHIS Miami Animal Import/Export Center (305-526-2926).  (If delivering the forms in person, please contact the office to schedule an appointment.)  If diagnostic tests are required prior to shipment, the certificate and test results must be sent to the endorsing USDA official.  The current USDA user fee for endorsing a health certificate is $24.00.  This fee is in addition to the USDA-accredited veterinarian’s fee.

Quick Guide for Florida Exporters of Aquatic Animals

Step 1:

Determine from the importer what the health requirements are for the state or country to which the animals are being shipped.  As the shipper of the animals, it is YOUR responsibility to determine and understand what the importing country or state requires for entry of the animals you are shipping.  If you need help determining these requirements, you may contact the USDA area office (352-333-3120 x200) or Dr. Kathleen Hartman (813-671-5230 x119).

Step 2:

Obtain a health evaluation as directed by certificate requirements set by the importing state or country.  This evaluation may require the service of an USDA-accredited veterinarian who will perform a visual inspection and additional diagnostics, as required by the importing country, in order to fulfill requirements stated on the health certificate.

Step 3:

Have the USDA-accredited veterinarian complete and sign the health certificate.  Until specific aquatic animal certificates are available, use APHIS forms 7001 or 17-140.

Step 4:

If official endorsement is required, you or your veterinarian may take or send (via express mail with a self-address pre-paid envelope) the completed form(s) and a check (payable to USDA) for $24 per certificate to be endorsed to one of the offices listed below.  (If delivering the forms in person, please contact the office to schedule an appointment.)

• USDA APHIS
  Veterinary Services Area Office
  Export Clerk
  7022 NW 10th Place
  Gainesville, FL 32605  
  Phone:  352-333-3120 x200
  Fax:  352-333-1912
   
• Dr. Kathleen H. Hartman
  Aquaculture Epidemiologist
  USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services
  c/o University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory
  1408 24th Street, S.E.
  Ruskin, FL 33570
  Phone: 813-671-5230 x119
  Fax:  813-671-5234
   
• Miami Animal Import/Export Center
  USDA APHIS Veterinarian Services
  6300 NW 36th Street
  Miami, FL  33122
  Phone:  305-526-2926
  Fax:  305-526-2929

Step 5:

Most certificates are good for 30 days; however, some may be more restrictive, so make sure the shipment arrives at its final destination before the expiration of the certificate.