# 50 C.F.R. § 18.12 (2026): Prohibited importation

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P18_S18_12

## Section

- **Citation:** 50 C.F.R. § 18.12 (2026)
- **Heading:** Prohibited importation
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 50 CFR: Wildlife and Fisheries / Chapter I: UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR / Part 18: MARINE MAMMALS / Subpart B: Prohibitions / § 18.12: § 18.12   Prohibited importation.

## Text

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subparts C and D of this part 18, it is unlawful for any person to import any marine mammal or marine mammal product into the United States.
(b) Regardless of whether an importation is otherwise authorized pursuant to subparts C and D of this part 18, it is unlawful for any person to import into the United States any:
(1) Marine mammal: (i) Taken in violation of the Act, or
(ii) Taken in another country in violation of the laws of that country;
(2) Any marine mammal product if: (i) The importation into the United States of the marine mammal from which such product is made would be unlawful under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, or
(ii) The sale in commerce of such product in the country of origin of the product is illegal.
(c) Except in accordance with an exception referred to in subpart C and §§ 18.31 and 18.32 of this part, it is unlawful to import into the United States any:
(1) Marine mammal which was pregnant at the time of taking;
(2) Marine mammal which was nursing at the time of taking, or less than 8 months old, whichever occurs later;
(3) Specimen of an endangered or threatened species of marine mammals;
(4) Specimen taken from a depleted species or stock of marine mammals; or
(5) Marine mammal taken in an inhumane manner.
(d) It is unlawful to import into the United States any fish, whether fresh, frozen, or otherwise prepared, if such fish was caught in a manner proscribed by the Secretary of Commerce for persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, whether or not any marine mammals were in fact taken incident to the catching of the fish.

## Nearby sections

- [50 C.F.R. § 18.11 (2026) § 18.11   Prohibited taking.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P18_S18_11.md)
- [50 C.F.R. § 18.12 (2026) § 18.12   Prohibited importation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P18_S18_12.md)
- [50 C.F.R. § 18.13 (2026) § 18.13   Prohibited uses, possession, transportation, and sales.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P18_S18_13.md)
- [50 C.F.R. § 18.14 (2026) § 18.14   Marine mammals taken before the Act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P18_S18_14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T50_P18_S18_12. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.