The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to make revisions to USFWS Form 3-177, the form used by U.S. importers and exporters of fish and wildlife.
Under the Endangered Species Act it is against the law to import or export fish, wildlife, or plants without filing a declaration or report as necessary for enforcing the Act or upholding the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). With some exceptions, individuals, businesses and others must submit a Declaration for the Importation or Exportation of Fish or Wildlife form (USFWS Form 3-177).
Currently, the form collects information including the date of the import/export; the import/export license number; whether the shipment is an import or export; the port of clearance; name of the carrier; personal details of the importer/exporter such as name, address, phone and email; the scientific and common names of the fish or wildlife; description, quantity, value, and natural country of origin of the fish and wildlife; whether the wildlife is live and venomous; and permit numbers (if applicable).
In addition, the Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to revise the form to collect the following new information fields:
- A field to add the container number for fish and wildlife shipped via ocean cargo, which will make it easier for inspectors to locate the shipment at port and expedite the inspection process.
- A field to collect U.S. permit numbers other than CITES, which accommodates other U.S.-issued wildlife permits such as those required under the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Wild Bird Conservation Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and Lacey Act.
- A field to collect the designated port exception permit number, which will make it easier to track whether the importer/exporter is authorized to use the ports they are seeking to use.
- A field to collect the CITES tag or marking number for sport-hunted wildlife species that require such tags for import and shipping. A CITES tag may only be used once, and recording the tag on Form 3-177 will help ensure that that rules is followed.
If you have comments on the proposed changes, or the agency’s information collection process in general, comments will be accepted until July 5. Visit the notification page to learn more.
