Fish and Wildlife fees to increase beginning January 8, 2009 as well as enforcement of regulating Squid, Octopus and Cuttlefish

Beginning January 8th, 2009, Fish and Wildlife will not only increase higher fees, but they will begin enforcing/regulating the importations of Non-living Squid, Octopus and Cuttlefish for human consumption.

Even though the rule has always been in place, most ports did not enforce it. Beginning January 8, 2009 all importers of such product must posses a Fish & Wildlife Import Permit and declare and pay fees on every shipment imported of non-living Squid, Octopus and Cuttlefish for human/animal consumption.

We urge everybody that imports these items to go on line immediately to apply for your Import Permit, which you would need to renew every year along with the corresponding $100 fees. Click here to apply now.

Flegenheimer will make sure that your shipments are properly and timely declared. If you plan to have a shipment arrive on January 8, 2009 or shortly after, as long as you forward us proof that you have applied for your permit and paid $100 fee to Fish and Wildlife, we will be able to process your declaration without the actual Import License (generally takes 2-3 weeks to receive after applying). Please forward us a copy of your Import Permit as soon as you have it. Be aware that their will be a nominal service fee for the preparation of your declarations to Fish and Wildlife.

Please read more at the following web sites:

List of New Fees
http://www.fws.gov/le/pdffiles/2009Feecalculationchart.pdf

Apply for your Import License
http://www.fws.gov/le/ImpExp/Regional_Permit_Offices.htm

Short version/summary of changes
http://www.fws.gov/news/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=1C4CD1C3-BC79-44C4-B2929C113A76D5ED

Federal Register with the complete details of these changes
http://www.fws.gov/le/pdffiles/E8-29070-1FinalRule.pdf