Guidance

Importing or moving fish to the UK

How to import or move fish for human consumption to the UK.

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
31 December 2020
Last updated
13 October 2023 — See all updates

This guidance explains how to import or move fish for human consumption to the UK.

You should follow guidance on importing live fish and shellfish if you’re importing live fish, molluscs and crustaceans not for direct human consumption.

Import documents

To import most fish to the UK from another country (excluding EU fish into Northern Ireland), you’ll need to get a validated catch certificate from the competent authority of the country where the fishing vessel is registered or licensed.

The format of catch certificates will vary depending on which exporting country produced them, but they will all ask for specific information such as:

If your fish has been processed or stored in a country other than where the fishing vessel is registered or licensed, you’ll also need one or both of the following types of documentation:

  • a processing statement that has been endorsed by the competent authority in the country where the fish was processed
  • proof of storage issued by the competent authority in the country where it was stored

These documents (including the catch certificate) help combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. They are usually referred to as the IUU documents.

Port health authorities will charge a fee for checking your IUU documents. These fees will vary as each authority sets their own rates depending on their costs.

UK freight imports will be checked by port health authorities in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) or fisheries authorities in Northern Ireland.

Fisheries administrations are responsible for checking catch certificates for direct landings of fish into the UK. The fisheries administrations are:

Moving fish from Northern Ireland to Great Britain

Most fish in free circulation in Northern Ireland moving to Great Britain are categorised as Qualifying Northern Ireland Goods. This means that traders are only expected to meet pre-existing obligations, such as those contained within the Fisheries Control Regulation, and are not subject to any new checks or requirements. The only exceptions are Bluefin Tuna and Antarctic and Patagonian Toothfish.

Find out more about moving qualifying goods from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK.

If the fish was caught before 1 January 2021

It may not be possible to get a catch certificate for fish caught by a UK or EU member state flagged vessel before 1 January 2021. You should check which documents the port of entry will need for these products.

Documents you may need to prove that the fish was caught before 1 January 2021 include:

  • invoices
  • sales notes
  • landing declarations

If you are importing processed fish that was caught before 1 January 2021 by a UK or EU flagged vessel, you should check which documents the UK port health authority will need.

If you are importing fish that has been stored in an EU country that is not the flag state of the vessel that caught the fish, you will need to provide proof of storage. This should be documentation that gives details of where and when the fish was stored, and the conditions of storage. It must be issued by the competent authority in the country where the fish was stored.

Freight imports of fish to the UK

UK port health authorities will check freight imports of fish coming into the UK, including fish moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Imports or movements of fish from:

  • non-EU, non-European Economic Area (EEA) or non-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries to the UK must enter at a border control post (BCP)
  • EU, EEA or EFTA countries to Great Britain do not need to enter at a BCP
  • Great Britain to Northern Ireland must enter at a designated point of entry in Northern Ireland

Import rules will be changing in 2024. Under the new rules, imports of fish from EU, EEA or EFTA countries will need to enter at a BCP.

See the section Importing or moving fish to Great Britain from 30 April 2024 for more information.

Before you import consignments of fish, you must submit a catch certificate, processing statement or proof of storage where required, to the relevant port health authority at the following times:

  • 72 hours in advance for imports by sea
  • 4 hours in advance for imports by rail and air
  • 2 hours in advance for imports by road

If the fish you’re importing or moving has been processed or stored in a country that is not the flag state of the catching vessel you must (if applicable):

  • get a processing statement from the exporter that has been endorsed by the competent authority in the country of processing
  • get proof of storage from the exporter, issued by the competent authority in the country where it was stored

Imports from non-EU countries

Imports of fish and shellfish from non-EU countries to Great Britain must also be:

Health certificates need to be completed and signed by an authorised certifying officer. For fishery products, this can be a non-veterinary certifying officer qualified to do this task.

At entry, all goods will be subject to documentary and ID checks, and a small proportion of goods will be subject to physical checks.

Imports are also subject to customs formalities including the need to complete a customs import declaration and to pay any applicable duties and VAT.

Read more about making a full import declaration.

Imports from the EU to Northern Ireland will be subject to different requirements.

Imports from the EU, EEA and EFTA countries

Importers of most fish and fishery products (as products of animal origin) from EU countries except the Republic of Ireland need to:

  • submit IUU fishing documents to the port health authority before the consignment arrives (this also applies to imports from the Republic of Ireland)
  • comply with customs requirements (such as submitting a customs import declaration and paying duties and VAT)
  • submit an import notification in IPAFFS
  • check that you have correct documents if moving CITES-listed goods, or goods subject to restrictions (such as bluefin tuna or Antarctic and Patagonian toothfish)

If you need help with your import notification you can call the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) helpline on 03300 416 999 or email APHAServiceDesk@apha.gov.uk.

Comply with Rules of Origin for tariff-free trade

To trade with the EU without paying tariffs, all goods need to comply with the preferential Rules of Origin. You need to be able to prove the origin of goods, according to the Product Specific Rules in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Read HMRC guidance to understand the steps you need to take.

Moving fish from Great Britain to Northern Ireland

The government and the EU have agreed the Windsor Framework. You should continue to use this guidance for now.  It will be updated in due course, giving you time to prepare for any changes.

All fish, shellfish and their products being moved from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will need to:

  • be pre-notified by the importer on TRACES NT in advance of arrival
  • enter at an appropriately designated Northern Ireland point of entry
  • have an export health certificate (EHC)
  • where relevant, have appropriate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) documents including a validated catch certificate, processing statement or proof of storage

Traders can create IUU documents through the online Fish Export Service.

Approved food establishments

Establishments that handle, prepare or produce products of animal origin (POAO) need to be approved in line with food hygiene regulations. Approval can be granted either by the relevant local authority, or by the Food Standards Agency (or Food Standards Scotland), depending on the nature of the production.

These establishments include those that work with fishery products, such as:

  • factory, freezing and reefer vessels
  • processing plants
  • auction halls
  • wholesale markets
  • cold stores

See the list of UK approved establishments, and find out how to apply to become one, at the FSA’s approved food establishments page.

To export to the EU, or move products to Northern Ireland, these establishments also need to be listed by the EU. See the list of approved establishments for exporting POAO to the EU.

Direct landings by foreign fishing vessels into the UK

All foreign fishing vessels landing catch directly into the UK must land into a North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) designated port, even if landing fish caught outside of the NEAFC convention area.

Foreign vessels catching fish outside of this area will be subject to IUU checks at the same ports, for purposes of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA).

Foreign vessels that catch fish inside the NEAFC convention area and directly land into the UK must submit a NEAFC Port State Control form (PSC1) before landing.

Foreign vessels (except for EU vessels landing into Northern Ireland) will also need to complete a:

  • prior notification form
  • pre-landing declaration
  • catch certificate

You must wait for permission to land by UK fisheries authorities. Your vessel may be inspected when it lands.

Prior notification form

Foreign vessels landing into the UK (except for EU vessels landing into Northern Ireland) will need to complete a prior notification form and email it to the UK fisheries management centre (FMC) (UKFMC@gov.scot) before landing.

It will need to be sent for:

  • frozen fish, at least 72 hours before landing
  • fresh fish, at least 4 hours before landing
  • a mix of fresh and frozen fish, at least 4 hours before landing

Foreign vessels landing into the UK (except for EU vessels landing into Northern Ireland) with fishery products that are exempt from IUU fishing regulations, will need to complete an exempt fisheries products prior notification form.

Pre-landing declaration

Foreign vessels landing into the UK (except for EU vessels landing into Northern Ireland) will need to fill in a pre-landing declaration and email it to the UK fisheries management centre (FMC) (UKFMC@gov.scot) at least 4 hours before landing. This form should be available from your competent authority.

Vessels will need to give details of the consignment, including the:

  • area fished
  • quantity of fish by species on board the vessel

Direct landings from non-EU flagged freezer or factory vessels

There is a separate process for freezer, factory or reefer vessels landing fish that has undergone secondary processing (for example, freezing or wrapping). These vessels will need to:

  • enter via a designated point of entry in line with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations
  • provide a captain’s certificate signed by the captain who is authorised by the APHA

These requirements will be introduced for EU-flagged freezer, factory or reefer vessels in 2024, under the Border Target Operating Model.

Direct landings by Great Britain-flagged fishing vessels into Northern Ireland

UK-flagged vessels with their port of registration in England, Wales or Scotland landing fresh fishery products (or fish that has undergone primary production such as de-heading) directly into ports in Northern Ireland will need to:

  • land into a port designated in line with IUU fishing regulations
  • submit a prior notification form and a pre-landing declaration 4 hours in advance of landing taking place
  • send a complete and validated catch certificate to the competent authority in Northern Ireland (if applicable to the species of fish being landed)

Direct landings (either the vessel or the catch) may be given risk-based checks at the designated port where they land.

There is a separate process for freezer, factory or reefer vessels landing fish that has undergone secondary processing (for example, freezing or wrapping). These vessels will need to:

  • enter via a designated point of entry in line with SPS regulations
  • provide a captain’s certificate signed by the captain who is authorised by the APHA

The vessels will need to be approved in line with food hygiene regulations by the relevant local authority and listed by the EU.

Direct landings by Northern Ireland-registered fishing vessels into Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland-registered vessels are only required to meet pre-existing obligations, such as those contained within the Fisheries Control Regulation, when landing into ports in Northern Ireland until further notice.

Re-exporting fish imported from a third country

If you import fish with a catch certificate and then re-export to the EU, you will need to complete the re-export section of the catch certificate. This does not apply to Northern Ireland to Great Britain or Northern Ireland to EU trade.

Countries you cannot import from

You cannot import fish caught by vessels with flags from Comoros, Cambodia or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. This is because these countries have not been cooperative in taking action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. You cannot import from unapproved countries.

Fish imports may be temporarily or permanently prohibited for public health and biosecurity reasons. Before you import, check with the Food Standards Agency website and the border control post where you plan to bring in your consignment.

Endangered fish and shellfish

If you want to import endangered species of fish, follow guidance about getting a permit to import endangered species.

Eels

Contact the APHA Centre for International Trade: Bristol for advice if you plan to import European eels.

Bluefin tuna and Antarctic and Patagonian toothfish

Direct landings, imports and exports of Bluefin tuna or Antarctic and Patagonian toothfish into and from the UK (except for movements between Northern Ireland and the EU) will require validated catch documents. These must be submitted to the importing competent authority or relevant fisheries administration, to allow checks to take place.

The movement of these species between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in both directions, will also require the submission of these catch documents.

Ornamental fish and shellfish and aquaculture

See guidance on rules you must follow to import live fish or shellfish for ornamental or aquaculture purposes.

Customs requirements

You must comply with HMRC guidance on customs requirements for importing fishery products into the UK.

If you need help with your customs declaration you can contact HMRC about imports and exports.

Importing or moving fish to Great Britain from 31 January 2024

From 31 January 2024, imports of fish and fishery products will be categorised into high, medium and low risk categories under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). 

Each risk category will have different SPS import requirements.

The BTOM risk category for your product will determine which SPS rules you need to follow and which SPS border checks your consignment will be subjected to.

IUU rules are separate from SPS requirements – they apply regardless of your product’s BTOM risk category. 

To import or move fish to Great Britain from 31 January 2024, you will need to:  

  • check the BTOM risk category for the commodity you’re importing
  • continue to use IPAFFS to notify authorities before the goods arrive in Great Britain
  • continue to provide IUU documents (if applicable) to the relevant port health authority (until 30 April 2024)
  • upload a health certificate to IPAFFS if your goods are in the medium or high risk category

Importing or moving fish to Great Britain from 30 April 2024

To import or move fish to Great Britain from 30 April, you will need to:

  • continue to follow the steps listed from 31 January 2024
  • upload your IUU documents (if applicable) to IPAFFS (instead of providing them to the port health authority)
  • input required information from your IUU documents into IPAFFS
  • ensure your goods enter Great Britain through a point of entry with a border control post (BCP) that is designated to check your commodity

If a port health authority identifies a problem with your documentation, they will be able to carry out physical checks for both IUU and SPS purposes. This will apply for all consignments, including those in the low risk category.

Published 31 December 2020
Last updated 13 October 2023 + show all updates

  1. Removed some out-of-date information from the ‘Imports from the EU, EEA and EFTA countries’ section. Added a section covering the separate rules for direct landings from non-EU freezer or factory vessels. Added new sections with information about changes to import rules that will be implemented in 2024, under the Border Target Operating Model.

  2. Import controls on EU goods to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) that have already been introduced remain in place. This page will be updated in autumn 2022 with new dates for import controls.

  3. Import controls on EU goods to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) planned from July will not be introduced in 2022. The controls that have already been introduced remain in place. This page will be updated in autumn 2022.

  4. Updated information about the documentation needed to import fish caught before 1 January 2021.

  5. Updated the section 'If you need help with your customs declaration'.

  6. Added a 'If you need help with your customs declaration' section.

  7. Updated with helpline for import notifications.

  8. Guidance updated to show change in rules from 1 January 2022 for imports from the Republic of Ireland to Great Britain.

  9. Changes to requirements and dates for fish imports from EU, EEA and EFTA countries under ‘Imports from EU, EEA and EFTA countries’. New dates under ‘Special requirements for EU food-approved fishing vessels’. New guidance under ‘Countries you cannot import from’ to add biosecurity risk of some fish.

  10. Updated with new dates for the introduction of controls on imports of fish.

  11. Amended text in 'Approved food establishments' section under 'Moving fish from Great Britain to Northern Ireland' to provide clarity on how to apply for food hygiene approvals.

  12. Added new guidance on the documents required to import fish that were caught before 1 January 2021 – see the 'If the fish was caught before 1 January 2021' section.

  13. Updated Moving fish from Great Britain to Northern Ireland section to clarify information about appropriate IUU documents needed. Added link to border operating model guidance.

  14. Updated documents you need to upload to IPAFFS for imports from the EU from 1 October 2021.

  15. Updated with new dates for when you’ll need to pre-notify imports from the EU and for when they need to enter Great Britain through a Border Control Post (BCP).

  16. Updated eels section. Contact APHA for advice if you plan to import European eels.

  17. The page has been updated to include a summary of the phased approach that applies to imports from countries in the EU, EEA and EFTA. A section has been added to link to the HMRC guidance on the preferential Rules of Origin.

  18. First published.

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