Japan: Certification of Legal Origin for Crab Products

In early 2012, the Government of Japan adopted a new regulation to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing of king crab, snow crab and hairy crab. The regulation requires documentation certifying the legal origin of crab products and will come into effect in early 2013. Canada and Japan met to discuss the requirements and agree on an appropriate response, please refer to the Record of Discussion for more details on the requirements and Canada’s response.

The regulation will only apply to exports of crab products under Chapter 3 of the Harmonized Description and Coding System.  Crab products under Chapter 16 will not require certification documents.

Canada will issue two types of catch certificates in compliance with the new requirements. The Canadian catch certificates will provide the relevant information to certify the legal origin of crab products exported from Canada.

• Annex A: Canadian Catch Certificate (Standard) for Japan
• Annex B: Canadian Catch Certificate (Group-Based) for Japan

Canada will be using existing European Union catch certificates for consignments exported to Japan that are intended to be re-exported to the European Union.

Canada’s response to Japan’s new regulation will also include the use of the Fisheries Certificate System for the issuance of catch certificates. This also includes the electronic transmission of Canadian catch certificates to Japanese importers and authorities.

For more information on the Japanese regulation please contact the Catch Certification Program.