DS-2031: Shrimp Exporter's/Importer's Declaration

Block 1: The harvesting nation means either: the nation or economy in which the shrimp is raised in an aquaculture facility; or the nation or economy in whose waters the shrimp is harvested. Enter the Harvesting Nation in box 1 and the Aquaculture Facility (If applicable) Name and Address in box 2.

Block 2: Insert the name and address of the aquaculture facility or facilities at which the shrimp is raised and harvested, if applicable. If there is more than one aquaculture facility, they may be listed on a separate, but attached, piece of paper.

Block 3: The "exporter" is the individual or company operating in the harvesting nation who sells the goods for export to a foreign buyer, e.g. a U.S. or third-country buyer. Enter the Exporter from the harvesting nation (Name, Address, Telephone, and Email Address) in box 3.

Block 4: Insert name, address, and email address of U.S. importer or ultimate consignee. Enter the U.S. Importer/Ultimate Consignee (Name, Address, Telephone, and Email Address) in box 4.

Block 5: "Date of export" means the date on which the shipment departed the last port of the harvesting nation for exportation. Enter the Date of Export from the harvesting nation (mm-dd-yyyy) in box 5.

Block 6: Insert in the appropriate column the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Code, number of boxes/cases or other units in a particular shipment, and the net weight in kilograms. HTS subheadings covered by this form include, but are not limited to: 0306.16 (cold-water shrimps and prawns, frozen); 0306.17 (other shrimps and prawns, frozen); 0306.35 (cold-water shrimps and prawns, live, fresh, or chilled); 0306.36 (other shrimps and prawns, live, fresh, or chilled); 0306.95 (other shrimps and prawns, not frozen, live, fresh, or chilled); 1605.21 (shrimps and prawns not in airtight containers); and 1605.29.10 (shrimps and prawns in airtight containers). If more than one HTS Code covers the shipment, then they may be listed on an additional page and attached. Insert date of entry, port of entry, and entry number at the top of attachment. Box 6 is the Description of Product: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code(s), Number of Units and Net Weight in Kilograms.

Block 7: Check the appropriate box to indicate if the shrimp is (A) harvested in a manner which does not adversely affect sea turtles; or (B) harvested in the waters of a nation that is certified pursuant to Section 609 of P.L. 101-162 as of the date of export from the harvesting nation. In order to qualify pursuant to (A), the shrimp must have been harvested under one of the following conditions: (1) in an aquaculture facility in which the shrimp spend at least 30 days in ponds prior to being harvested; (2) by commercial trawl vessels using turtle excluder devices (TEDs) determined by the Department of State to be comparable in effectiveness to those required in the United States; (3) exclusively by means that do not involve retrieval of fishing nets by mechanical devices, or using other methods that do not threaten sea turtles, as previously determined by the Department of State; or (4) in a manner or under circumstances determined by the Department of State to not to pose a threat of the incidental taking of sea turtles. The use of box 7(A)2, 7(A)3, and 7A(4) is restricted to only those harvesting nations or fisheries for which the Department of State has made a determination pursuant to the revised guidelines for the implementation of Section 609 of P.L. 101-162, published at 64 Federal Register 36946-36952. Harvesting nations that are certified pursuant to Section 609 of P.L. 101-162, as well as applicable determinations, will be listed in the U.S. Federal Register. An agent or representative of the exporter must complete, sign, and date the line designated for this purpose.

"I hereby declare that the shipment of shrimp accompanying this declaration (Check One):" A. Harvested in a manner not harmful to sea turtles. Check the condition of harvest which applies: 1. Harvested by aquaculture; 2. Harvested using TEDs comparable in effectiveness to those in the United States, as determined by the U.S. Department of State; 3. Harvested using non-mechanical net retrieval or by special gear that does not threaten sea turtles, as determined by the U.S. Department of State; 4. Harvested in a manner or under circumstances not to pose a threat of the incidental taking of sea turtles, as determined by the U.S. Department of State. B. Harvested in the waters of a nation currently certified pursuant to Section 609 of P.L. 101-162.

Enter the Exporter (Name and Title), the Signature and the Date (mm-dd-yyyy).

Block 8: If any box in 7A is checked, this section must be completed and signed by a responsible agent of the government of the harvesting nation. This may be any official so designated for this purpose provided that such designee is employed on a full-time basis by the government of the harvesting nation and identified to the Department of State. Governments may not delegate the authority to sign the forms to a representative of the private sector or to a part-time government employee.

"I hereby declare that the statements signed above by the exporter of this shipment of shrimp are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge." Enter Name/Agency/Title, Address/Telephone, Signature and Date (mm-dd-yyyy).

Box 9, Import Information, is to be completed by U.S. importer or customs broker. Enter Date of Entry (mm-dd-yyyy), Port of Entry, Entry Number and Signature.