Cured Whale, Dolphin, Manatee & Related Marine Mammal Meat and Offal

In practice, commercial importation is effectively prohibited. The Marine Mammal Protection Act bans the import of marine mammal products taken in violation of the Act, and most cetacean species are also listed under CITES, requiring permits that are rarely if ever issued for commercial trade. Importers should treat this heading as commercially non-viable for standard trade purposes and consult legal counsel before any attempt at importation.

Yes. The MMPA covers all marine mammals, including pinnipeds such as seals, sea lions, and walruses. While some limited exceptions exist (e.g., for Alaska Native subsistence), commercial importation of products from these animals is broadly restricted. Each species and use case must be evaluated individually against current MMPA and CITES requirements.