Due to a recent Freedom of Information Act request, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is set to publicly release information related to the imports and exports of wildlife specimens and flora into and out of the U.S.

The request seeks all data stored in the Law Enforcement Management Information System (LEMIS) database and collected via the FWS Form 3-177 during the calendar year 1999 and the period from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2020.  The data that could be released includes importer name and address, foreign shipper name and address, Customs broker name and address, quantity, value, and origin.

Importers and exporters can object to the release of their data, but they must do so by June 11, 2021.  Companies will need to submit a detailed written statement to FWS indicating “why the information is a trade secret or, if the information is not a trade secret, you must provide certification that the business both customarily and actually treats the information as private.”

Companies who have filed Form 3-177 and believe the data released might contain confidential or sensitive information should take action.  FWS will presume that you do not object to the disclosure of information if they do not receive a response by June 11.