Importing corals/fish

KingAlee · May 29, 2025

As the title states, an interested party and I are looking to import corals and are curious as to what needs to fall in line for us to be able to do so. This is including licensing and ANYTHING. We have our business licenses in the states needed (we’re in two different states) and wholesales license.

Another question being, what country is best to import from/more popular?

Just thought it would be easier to ask as we’re trying to broaden the businesses and go at this together as we both understand importing can be expensive! Just to add, this would be to import them into the United States!

(Also know the risk and that it takes a good bit to make them healthy again)

Anything helps, thanks :)

Jay Hemdal · May 30, 2025

KingAlee said:
As the title states, an interested party and I are looking to import corals and are curious as to what needs to fall in line for us to be able to do so. This is including licensing and ANYTHING. We have our business licenses in the states needed (we’re in two different states) and wholesales license.

Another question being, what country is best to import from/more popular?

Just thought it would be easier to ask as we’re trying to broaden the businesses and go at this together as we both understand importing can be expensive! Just to add, this would be to import them into the United States!

(Also know the risk and that it takes a good bit to make them healthy again)

Anything helps, thanks :)

Importing corals is difficult. You must have a USFWS 3-177 form for each shipment, pay their fee (was $195) and then clear customs (I used a broker for that). Tou need to bring the shipment in to one of 18 USFWS ports of entry. LAX, ORD, MIA are commonly used. If you don’t have a port of entry near you, you would need a POE exemption. I had one for DTW, but they may not give you one.

There is zero trust between importers and exporters. Advance payment is required, but there are many scammers that just take your money and never ship. Most often, you need to go overseas to visit them, to build trust, and to see that they are legit.

You should probably consider using a transsshipper out of LA. They do the import and then ship on to you. That adds to the cost, and there is still a slight risk of being ripped off, but the best way to go if you’re bringing in small shipments.

Indonesia is a main exporter. Australia ships more high end corals.