Export Certificate
(For Commercially Licensed Shellfish Operations)
What is the purpose of this certification?
An export certificate is a document issued to commercially licensed shellfish operations that ship product (clams, mussels, oysters, geoducks) to Asian countries. An export certificate accompanies every shipment. The certificate lists information about the operation shipping the shellfish, the type of shellfish in the shipment, the date and place the shellfish were harvested, and the operation that harvested the shellfish.
Who issues this certification?
Department of Health
What activities require this certification?
An export certificate is a document issued to commercially licensed shellfish operations that ship product (clams, mussels, oysters, geoducks) to Asian countries.
How much will this certification cost?
Each export certificate costs $55.00. We will send you a detailed invoice at the end of the month that shows the total amount you owe. You must pay that amount within 30 days. If you don't pay within 30 days you will be charged a late fee. If your account becomes 60 days past due, we will not issue any more certificates to your company until you bring your account current.
Where can I get the application for this certification?
The application is called '
Export Certificate Application' is online and can be accessed at
https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/oswpviewer/index.html.
Do I need to include anything with my application?
No, everything is completed online.
Is the decision on my certification dependent on anything besides the information in my application?
To be considered for an export certificate you must have a current Department of Health commercial shellfish operation license. Also, your company must be in compliance with state regulations
Chapter 246-282 WAC, and/or the federal requirements of the
National Shellfish Sanitation Program. The Application for Export Certificate must be filled in accurately and completely. An application that is incorrect or incomplete will be returned to you, and you must correct and resubmit it to us.
How long will it take to review my application?
We accept applications up to 5 days in advance of the harvest date. The system will not accept a harvest date that is more than 5 days from the request date upon attempt to submit.
Our business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications submitted after 4:00 p.m. will be considered received at 8:00 a.m. the next business day.
Where do I submit my application?
Export certificate requests must be made through our
online application system. Fax, mail, or other hard-copy requests will not be accepted.
How long is my certification valid?
Your Export Certificate does not expire, however you must keep all used certificates on file in your company's records for three years. If you do not use a certificate, you must mark it "Void - did not ship". These voided certificates must also be kept on file in your company's records for three years.
What is the appeal process for the certification?
Any questions on the program can be directed to Shellfish Staff at 360-236-3330 or
shellfish@doh.wa.gov.
Notes / Comments:
Export certificate requests must be made through the Department of Health's
online application system. Fax, mail, or other hard-copy requests will not be accepted.
The online application system is a secure site which requires a login and password that must be set up in our office. Please call 360-236-3330 or
email us to obtain access.
Permit Timeliness Results
Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.
All permits submitted for reporting were entered into this Regulatory Handbook. Here are the results of the performance data:
Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)Average number of days from Receipt to Complete: 1Maximum number of days from Receipt to Complete: 1Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)Average number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 1Maximum number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 1(Summary results based on 1842 submittals in 2023)
Statewide Contact:
Department of Health
Headquarters
Office of Environmental Health and Safety
101 Israel Rd SE
Tumwater WA 98501
PO Box 47824, Olympia, WA 98504-7824
Telephone: (360) 236-3330
Fax: (360) 236-2257
Email: shellfish@doh.wa.gov
Website: https://doh.wa.gov/
Triggering Questions:
- Will you be exporting shellfish to other countries?
* Permit information last updated 10/18/2022