Department of Fisheries

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation

Procedure for the Importation of Live Aquatic Animals

Step (1)

A person importing live aquatic animals for human consumption or for culture/ornamental purpose shall apply import recommendation certificate to the Department of Fisheries (DOF) along with the following supporting documents.

1. Application letter with Company letterhead that mentioned import country, product, mode of transportation
2. Copy of Health Certificate issued by the overseas Competent Authority
3. Country of Origin
4. Sanitary Certificate
5. HACCP Certificate
6. Proforma Invoice
7. Packing List
8. Sale Contract
1. Copy of company registration issued by Directorate of Investment and Company Administration
10. Export/Import License Copy (to present after importation)

Step (2)

The Inspection and Certification Section (ICS) under the Department of Fisheries shall check and review on the completeness of the application and register the documents. For the incomplete and incorrect application, ICS informs the importer with reason. The importer corrects, completes and resubmit the documents. If application is rejected, the process ends here. For the complete and correct application, the ICS shall issue the Import Recommendation certificate. After receiving the import recommendation certificate from the DOF, the importer shall continue to apply the import license at the Ministry of Commerce. The DOF will send recommendation letter to the Department of Trade, Ministry of Commerce.

Step (3)

Upon the arrival to the designated port or border gate of Myanmar, the importer shall submit the Import Declaration and relevant documents to the Customs Department by using the Myanmar Automated Cargo Clearance System (MACCS) and the importer will send the sample fish to the DOF for physical and clinical examination. The ICS officials will keep the aquatic animals in isolation for physical and clinical treatment. Only healthy and disease-free aquatic animals without injury or damage are allowed for importation.

Step (4)

If the test report from the laboratory is provided with the result free from the pathogens or harmful diseases, DOF shall issue the result to the importer via the MACCS by sending the “Agree” notice. In case of any doubt regarding health condition of the aquatic animals, they will be further quarantined for sufficient period of time, for testing and/or treatment. The cost of all these shall be borne by the importer. In such cases, Import Risk Analysis (IRA) shall also be done by ICS officials to identify the hazard (s) associated with the introduction of the particular fish variety so as take suitable action by DOF. The results of these analyses are communicated to the overseas Competent Authority.

Remark-

• The overall application process will take 7 or 10 working days.
• The lab test for the microbiological test of five pathogens shall take 5 working days.
• The laboratory testing fees shall be cost 50,000 Kyats (Fifty thousand kyats).