1. Definition
As per Rules and Regulations Governing the Importation of Agricultural and Fish and Fishery/Aquatic Products, Fertilizers, Pesticides and Other Agricultural Chemicals, Veterinary Drugs and Biological Products into the Philippines, aquatic products refers to products enumerated in the World Customs Organization (WCO) Harmonized Tariff System, including finfish, mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms, marine mammals and all other species of aquatic flora and fauna, as well as all other products of aquatic living resources in any form.
2. Competent authority
Competent authority | Responsibility |
Department of Health (DOH) | DOH is the executive department of the government of the Philippines, responsible for ensuring all Filipinos' access to basic public health services through the provision of quality health care, and the regulation of all health services and products. |
Philippines Food and Drug Administration (PFDA) | PFDA is a health regulatory agency under DOH responsible for licensing, monitoring, and regulating foods, including processed aquatic products, for their safety, efficacy, and quality in the Philippines. |
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) | BFAR is responsible for the development, improvement, management, and conservation of the country's fisheries and aquatic resources. It is also empowered to issue import permit and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) for unprocessed imported aquatic products. |
3. Market access approval
3.1 Processed aquatic products
When importing processed aquatic products, same as other processed foods, importers must register for the License to Operate (LTO) and Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) prior to importation. The LTO application procedure and requirements can be found at Guidelines on the Unified Licensing Requirements and Procedures of the Food and Drug Administration. The CPR application procedure can be found at FDA Circular No. 2016-014 Procedure for the Use of Electronic Registration (E-Registration) System for Prepackaged Processed Food Products.
3.2 Unprocessed aquatic products
When importing unprocessed aquatic products, importers shall register with BFAR and obtain the import permit. The latest list of BFAR accredited importers can be found here. Besides, importers are required to obtain SPSIC as an import permit from BFAR prior to importation. Details of SPSIC application can be found at Rules and Regulations Governing the Importation of Agricultural and Fish and Fishery/Aquatic Products, Fertilizers, Pesticides and Other Agricultural Chemicals, Veterinary Drugs and Biological Products into the Philippines.
Upon arrival, imported aquatic products shall be subject to the quarantine and inspection, including documentation check, physical examination, and microbiological analysis.
4. Product compliance
4.1 Product requirements
Items | Requirements |
Product standards | Rules and Regulations Governing Importation of Fresh/Chilled/Frozen and Fishery Aquatic Products specifies the requirements for imported aquatic products in Section 10. For example: 1. Aquatic products meeting the quality of fresh fish prior to being frozen shall be graded accordingly to size; 2. Fishery products must be handled and processed hygienically in processing plants and/or freezer vessels; 3. Frozen fishery products must be kept and maintained at -18ºC or lower during transport; 4. Fish and fishery/aquatic products must be subject to visual inspection for parasite check. Fish infested with parasites must be removed from the batch. |
Food additives | Stakeholders shall comply with relevant provisions in Updated List of Food Additives. Aquatic products are fall in the list with category numbers 09.0 - 09.4. |
Microorganism | Stakeholders shall comply with relevant provisions in Table 11 Fish and Seafood Products of Guidelines on the Microbiological Requirements and Assessment of Certain Prepackaged Processed Food Products. |
Food contaminants | Stakeholders shall comply with General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed and relevant Codex standards. |
Veterinary drug residues | Stakeholders shall comply with relevant provisions in Veterinary drug residues in food: Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). |
Packaging | As per Rules and Regulations Governing Importation of Fresh/Chilled/Frozen and Fishery Aquatic Products, aquatic products must be packed under hygienic condition to preclude contamination from lubricants, oils, fuels and any hazardous substances. Packaging materials shall not impair the sensory attributes of the fishery products or transmit harmful substances. For fresh fish held under ice, their packaging materials should be provided with adequate drainage for melted water. |
4.2 Label
The labelling of prepacked foods, including aquatic products, is regulated by Administrative Order No. 2014-0030 (The Rules and Regulations Governing the Labeling of Prepackaged Food Products Distributed in the Philippines). Mandatory labeling items include:
Brand name
Product name
List of ingredients, including the common name and function of food additives
Net weight
Complete name and address of the manufacturer, packer, distributor, trader or importer. For imported products, the country of origin should be declared.
Nutrition labelling (nutrition facts)
Expiration date/use by date/consume before date
Lot identification code
Allergen information, as applicable
Storage instruction/use instruction, as applicable
Country of origin (for imported products only)
English translation if foreign language is used
As per Rules and Regulations Governing Importation of Fresh/Chilled/Frozen and Fishery Aquatic Products, the following information shall appear on both the packaging and accompanying documents (such as Health Certificate):
Country of origin written out in full
Species, weights and content of fish/fishery products
Address of the supplier
BFAR Inspection stamp mark
* Global Food Compliance Service
We provide various market entry services to help stakeholders better understand exporting requirements, establish business and secure a competitive place to facilitate trade development.
Covered Countries
China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, United States, European Union, Australia, New Zealand etc.
Our Services
Food Ingredient Review
Label Review
Product Registration
Regulatory Consultation
Monitoring, Training and customized report
Please feel free to contact us via food@chemlinked.com if you need any help.
