Hi Scott,
Steve is right, it is not a ban. What APHIS has done is set up a system that requires paper work, time and money but I think it is a great idea. IMO it will stop imports from countries that don't have healthy fish. These imports are usually bought by retailers trying to make extra money with cheaper fish that are usually not healthy. The process is that we have to fill out an application, APHIS has set up ports of entry and each port of entry has one certified Vet that is responsible for all shipments. Our Vet is in Sacramento. We have to notify him 72 hours prior to the shipment landing and he has to come inspect the Koi at the cargo area when they come in. Here is the part that hurts, we have to pay him a fee to inspect the Koi and for ALL of his travel time to and from the airport. On the Japanese side we have to get SVC certificates from the breeders we import from. The process of clearing the Koi will take longer, but it will insure that the Koi are free from SVC. We have already spoken with our Vet about the whole process and are ready to IMPORT Koi.
