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Koi laws and regulations

By the koi.wiki editorial team · Updated

Key facts: Koi keeping is subject to a patchwork of national and regional laws covering disease reporting, import and export permits, and restrictions on koi as a potentially invasive carp species, with requirements varying considerably by country and, within some countries, by state or province.[1][2]
Because koi (錦鯉) are a domesticated, ornamental form of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), they fall under both the general animal and plant health frameworks that apply to live fish imports and under separate rules aimed at invasive or non-native fish species.[1][8] Authorities in different countries regulate koi for different reasons: some focus on preventing the spread of serious fish diseases such as koi herpesvirus (KHV), while others restrict or ban koi outright because common carp are classified as a noxious or invasive species in local waterways.[3][2]

Notifiable disease reporting

A notifiable disease is one that must by law be reported to government authorities, a concept applied to both human and animal diseases in many countries.[9] In the United Kingdom, koi herpesvirus (KHV) is a “Listed” (notifiable) disease under the Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009, and anyone who suspects or becomes aware of signs of KHV, or of increased mortality, must report it immediately to the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) at Cefas; failure to do so is an offence.[3]In the United States, KHV is similarly classed as a notifiable (reportable) disease that must be reported to USDA APHIS Veterinary Services and the relevant state veterinarian when positively diagnosed, according to University of Florida IFAS Extension.[4] The same source notes that spring viremia of carp (SVC) is “NOTIFIABLE with mandatory consequences” including import regulations, whereas carp pox is not a reportable or notifiable disease in the US.[4] The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) maintains technical chapters covering infection with koi herpesvirus as part of its international disease-reporting framework.[7] Further detail on specific notifiable conditions is covered on the page about notifiable koi diseases and on koi herpesvirus (KHV).

Import and export controls

In England and Wales, anyone importing live fish for ornamental or other non-food purposes needs authorization from the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), Cefas, under the Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009; importing without authorization can result in an unlimited fine.[1] Imports from non-EU countries must be accompanied by an animal health certificate, enter through an approved Border Control Post, and be pre-notified through the UK’s Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS) at least one working day in advance.[1] Ornamental coldwater fish such as koi additionally require a biosecurity measures plan describing how fish health and disease will be managed.[1] Movements from Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies have separate certification and notification requirements, including form AAH1.[1]According to UF/IFAS Extension, koi breeders, dealers, exhibitors, and veterinarians in the United States should be aware that some countries will not permit entry of KHV-vaccinated fish, and that USDA APHIS maintains state and international health requirements for live animal exports.[4] For shipments, farm-raised fish and shellfish are generally exempt from US Fish and Wildlife Service export permit requirements unless they involve species listed under CITES or the Endangered Species Act, according to the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center.[10] The same source notes that the Lacey Act is a US federal law regulating interstate transportation of live fish, and that proper state and federal permits must accompany each shipment.[6] The ornamental fish trade itself relies on major entry ports; in the US, Los Angeles, Miami, and Tampa serve as the principal centers through which imported ornamental fish are distributed to wholesalers and retailers.[11] More detail is available on the page covering importing and exporting koi and on practical shipping, bagging and acclimation procedures.

Koi and common carp as a regulated or invasive species

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), the species from which koi are bred, is treated as a nonindigenous or invasive species in parts of the United States, according to the US Geological Survey’s Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, which documents its ecological and economic impacts.[8] In Australia, the state of Victoria has declared koi carp a noxious aquatic species under Section 75 of the Fisheries Act 1995; without a permit it is illegal to import, bring into Victoria, keep, sell, trade, transport, or possess koi carp, and permits are issued only when very specific criteria are met, for periods of up to three years.[2] Illegal possession can be reported to the Victorian Fisheries Authority.[2]In New Zealand, koi carp are addressed by the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai as an animal pest affecting native biodiversity.[5] In Florida, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulates possession of non-native freshwater fish, requiring a permit for any species “not native to the state” that might reasonably be released, and aquaculture facilities culturing restricted non-native species must maintain an Aquaculture Certificate of Registration and renew restricted-species authorization annually, according to University of Florida IFAS Extension.[12] Alaska likewise regulates the cultivation and import of ornamental fish, and it is illegal there to release ornamental fish, fish waste, or wastewater into state waters.[13] Maine maintains Unrestricted, Prohibited, and Restricted species lists for captive wildlife including fish, with importation permits required for non-unrestricted species.[14] More background on the ecological side of this issue is covered on the page about koi as an invasive species and in the comparison of koi vs common carp and wild carp.

Aquaculture and the ornamental trade context

Laws governing aquaculture practices, including the farming of ornamental fish such as koi, vary greatly by country and are often not closely regulated or easily traceable, according to a general overview of aquaculture law.[15] In Florida, aquaculture facilities must follow Best Management Practices created by the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which take an outcome-based approach requiring “any method of containment that will effectively prevent non-native species from being released.”[12] Similar dual-agency oversight applies to ornamental aquatic plants sold alongside koi for pond use, with some plants on Florida’s Noxious Weeds List barred from cultivation, possession, sale, or import under any circumstances.[16] Readers researching pond setup may also consult pages on plants for koi ponds and pond design, since regulated aquatic plants are sometimes sold as companions to koi.

Biosecurity and quarantine as part of compliance

UK guidance on KHV states that there is no treatment for the disease, so prevention through good husbandry and biosecurity is the recommended approach, including not buying fish of unknown origin and following the rules on importing, exporting, or moving aquatic animals.[3] UF/IFAS Extension similarly recommends purchasing fish from known, reputable sources and keeping susceptible species separated as a prevention and control measure for KHV and SVC.[4] These recommendations align with general koi-keeping practice around quarantine and recognizing signs of illness, which can reduce the risk of triggering notifiable-disease reporting obligations or import rejections.

Entries in this section

Common questions

Is koi herpesvirus (KHV) a notifiable disease?
Yes. In England and Wales, KHV is a “Listed” (notifiable) disease that must be reported immediately to the Fish Health Inspectorate, Cefas, under the Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009[3]. In the United States, University of Florida IFAS Extension describes KHV as notifiable to USDA APHIS Veterinary Services and the relevant state veterinarian[4].
Do I need a permit to import koi into the UK?
Yes. Importers need authorization from the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), Cefas, and must meet certification and pre-notification requirements through the IPAFFS system; there is no fee for applying, but importing without authorization can result in an unlimited fine[1].
Are koi illegal to own in some places?
In Victoria, Australia, koi carp are listed as a noxious aquatic species, and it is illegal without a permit to import, keep, sell, trade, transport, or possess them[2]. New Zealand’s Department of Conservation also treats koi carp as an animal pest[5].
Can KHV-vaccinated koi be imported anywhere?
Not necessarily; University of Florida IFAS Extension notes that some countries’ import requirements specifically exclude KHV-vaccinated fish from entry, so breeders and dealers should check APHIS and destination-country requirements before shipping[4].
Does the Lacey Act apply to koi shipments within the US?
Yes. According to the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, the Lacey Act is a federal law regulating interstate transportation of live fish, and proper permits must accompany each load along with required paperwork and signage[6].

References

  1. ^ Importing or moving live fish and shellfish - GOV.UK. UK Government. gov.uk/guidance/importing-or-moving-live-fish-and-shellfish. Retrieved November 2026.
  2. ^ Noxious Aquatic Species in Victoria (Victorian Fisheries Authority). Victorian Fisheries Authority. vfa.vic.gov.au/operational-policy/pests-and-diseases/noxious-aquati…. Retrieved November 2026.
  3. ^ Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) - GOV.UK. UK Government. gov.uk/government/publications/koi-herpesvirus-khv/koi-herpesvirus-…. Retrieved November 2026.
  4. ^ UF/IFAS EDIS VM113: Koi Herpesvirus Disease (KHVD). University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS). ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VM113. Retrieved November 2026.
  5. ^ Nature: New Zealand Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. New Zealand Department of Conservation. doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/koi-carp/. Retrieved November 2026.
  6. ^ SRAC Publication No. 390: Transportation of Warmwater Fish: Equipment and Guidelines. Southern Regional Aquaculture Center. srac.msstate.edu/pdfs/Fact%20Sheets/390%20Transportation%20of%20War…. Retrieved November 2026.
  7. ^ Koi herpesvirus disease - WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health. World Organisation for Animal Health. woah.org/en/disease/koi-herpesvirus-disease/. Retrieved November 2026.
  8. ^ Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) - Species Profile. US Geological Survey. nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=4. Retrieved November 2026.
  9. ^ Notifiable disease (Wikipedia). Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notifiable_disease. Retrieved November 2026.
  10. ^ SRAC Publication No. 3903: Shipping Fish in Boxes. Southern Regional Aquaculture Center. srac.msstate.edu/pdfs/Fact%20Sheets/3903%20Shipping%20Fish%20in%20B…. Retrieved November 2026.
  11. ^ UF/IFAS EDIS FA124: The Ornamental Fish Trade. University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS). ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FA124. Retrieved November 2026.
  12. ^ UF/IFAS EDIS FA195: Preventing Escape of Non-Native Species from Aquaculture Facilities in Florida, Part 1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS). ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FA195. Retrieved November 2026.
  13. ^ Ornamental Fish, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?ADFG=pets.ornamentalfish. Retrieved November 2026.
  14. ^ Fish and Wildlife in Captivity: Fish & Wildlife: Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/captivity/. Retrieved November 2026.
  15. ^ Aquaculture (Wikipedia). Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaculture. Retrieved November 2026.
  16. ^ UF/IFAS EDIS FA251: Freshwater Ornamental Aquatic Plant Production in Florida. University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS). ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FA251. Retrieved November 2026.