Import fish from the EU from 1 January 2021
How to import fish for human consumption from 1 January 2021, the documents you may need and customs rules to follow.
New rules for January 2021
The UK has left the EU, and the transition period after Brexit comes to an end this year.
This page tells you what you’ll need to do from 1 January 2021. It will be updated if anything changes.
For current information, read: Import live fish and shellfish for aquaculture and ornamental
You can also read about the transition period.
If you import fish to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) from the EU you’ll need a validated catch certificate from the exporter.
You may also need additional documents, validated by the relevant competent authority for fish that has been stored or processed. These may include:
- a processing statement filled in by the processor
- storage documents from the exporter
Read the Border Operating Model (BOM) for more information on the introduction of controls.
UK port health authorities (fisheries authorities in NI) will check these documents for UK freight imports.
Businesses in NI will continue to have unfettered access to the rest of the UK market from 1 January 2021. Trade from NI to GB will continue as it does now. The only exception to these arrangements will be goods falling within the very limited number of procedures relating to specific international obligations binding on the UK, specifically for fish. These are:
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
- International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
- Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
From 1 April, you’ll also need an Export Health Certificate.
Direct landings into the UK
EU fishing vessels must land into a North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) designated port. Foreign vessels will need to submit a NEAFC Port State Control form (PSC1 or PSC2) before landing.
Foreign vessels (except for EU vessels landing into NI) will also need to complete a:
- prior notification form
- pre-landing declaration
- catch certificate
Prior notification form
EU vessels landing into the UK (except for EU vessels landing into NI) with exempt fisheries products will need to complete an exempt fisheries products prior notification for form.
The prior notification form must be emailed to the designated UK port before landing. It will need to be sent:
- for frozen fish, at least 72 hours before landing
- for fresh fish, at least 4 hours before landing
Pre-landing declaration
Foreign vessels landing into GB will need to fill in a pre-landing declaration and email it to the designated UK port 4 hours before landing. These should be available from your competent authority.
They will need to give details of the consignment, including the:
- area fished
- quantity of fish by species on board the vessel
Re-exporting fish imported from a third country
If you re-export fish that’s imported from the EU you’ll need to complete the re-export section on the catch certificate.
Customs requirements
You must comply with HMRC guidance on customs requirements for importing fishery products into GB from the EU.
Last updated 10 December 2020 + show all updates
Import fish from the EU from 1 January 2021
How to import fish for human consumption from 1 January 2021, the documents you may need and customs rules to follow.
New rules for January 2021
The UK has left the EU, and the transition period after Brexit comes to an end this year.
This page tells you what you’ll need to do from 1 January 2021. It will be updated if anything changes.
For current information, read: Import live fish and shellfish for aquaculture and ornamental
You can also read about the transition period.
If you import fish to the UK from the EU you’ll need a validated catch certificate from the exporter.
If the fish you’re importing has been stored or processed, you may also may need additional documents, endorsed by the competent authority in the country of processing:
- a processing statement filled in by the processor
- storage documents from the exporter
UK port health authorities (fisheries authorities in Northern Ireland) will check these documents for UK freight imports.
There may be implications for trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Find out more about moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021.
From 1 April, you’ll also need an Export Health Certificate.
Direct landings into the UK
EU fishing vessels must land into a North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) designated UK port. EU vessels will need to submit a NEAFC Port State Control form (PSC1 or PSC2) before landing.
EU vessels will also need to complete a:
- prior notification form
- pre-landing declaration
- catch certificate
Prior notification form
EU vessels landing into the UK with exempt fisheries products will need to complete an exempt fisheries products prior notification for form.
The prior notification form must be emailed to the designated UK port before landing. It will need to be sent:
- for frozen fish, at least 72 hours before landing
- for fresh fish, at least 4 hours before landing
Pre-landing declaration
EU vessels will need to fill in a pre-landing declaration and email it to the designated UK port 4 hours before landing.
They will need to give details of the consignment, including the:
- area fished
- quantity of fish by species on board the vessel
Re-exporting fish imported from the EU
If you re-export fish that’s imported from the EU you’ll need to complete the re-export section on the catch certificate.
Customs requirements
You must comply with HMRC guidance on customs requirements for importing from the EU.