EXPORT FISH AFTER NO DEAL BREXIT
Export fish after a no deal Brexit. How to export fish after a no-deal Brexit, what documents you may need and customs rules to follow.
The UK will leave the EU on 31 October. This page tells you how to prepare for Brexit. It will be updated if anything changes, including if a deal is agreed.
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To export fish to the EU after a no deal Brexit you’ll need to follow the same rules that are currently in place for exports of fish to some non-EU countries. You’ll need to create:
- a catch certificate – you need to validate this and send it to your importer
- an export health certificate, except for direct landings in EU ports from UK-flagged fishing vessels
You’ll need to follow customs and border inspection requirements. You may also need:
- direct landing documents
- a storage document
- a processing statement
If you’re exporting fish to the EU, you can view journey maps with the steps you need to take.
Customs requirements
You must comply with HMRC guidance on customs requirements for exporting to the EU.
These rules will apply to:
- exports to the EU of fish caught by a UK flagged fishing vessel
- exports to the EU of fish imported from another country that have been stored or processed in the UK
- direct landings in EU ports by a UK flagged fishing vessel
Send fish to an EU border inspection post
You’ll need to send all consignments of fish and fishery products through an EU border inspection post (BIP) if the fish was both:
- caught by a UK flagged vessel
- landed in the UK before being transported to the EU
Send validated catch certificate to the importer
You must send the validated catch certificate to the importer so they can give them to the receiving country’s competent authority. You must do this for exports by:
- sea: 72 hours before landing
- air and rail: 4 hours before arriving
- road: 2 hours before arriving
If you need help
If you need help with general questions you can contact the fish exports helpline.
The fish exports helpline
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Telephone: 0330 159 1989
Find out about call charges
Get an export health certificate
You’ll need an export health certificate (EHC) for all exports of fish to the EU. Find out how to get an EHC.
Direct landing documents
To land your catch from your UK flagged fishing vessel directly in the EU you’ll need to land in a North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) designated EU port.
Fishery enforcement officers may inspect your fish when you arrive. You’ll need to show them the catch certificate.
You’ll need to complete a:
- prior notification form
- pre-landing declaration
Prior notification form
If you’re landing in an EU member state with
- exempt fisheries products only, you need to fill in a prior notification for exempt fisheries product form
- all other fisheries products, or a combination of exempt and non-exempt products, you need to complete this prior notification form
Regardless of which form you fill in, you must email them to your destination’s designated EU port before landing. You need to send it:
- for frozen fish, at least 72 hours before landing – you can fill in the prior notification form before 31 October 2019 for any exports planned from 31 October
- for fresh fish, at least 4 hours before landing
Pre-landing declaration
You’ll need to fill in a pre-landing declaration and email it to your destination’s designated EU port 4 hours before landing.
You’ll need to give details of the:
- area fished
- quantity of fish by species on board the vessel
North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) Port State Control forms
You’ll have to register your fishing vessel with NEAFC. Once your vessel is registered, you’ll need to submit a NEAFC Port State Control form (PSC1 or PSC2) before landing.
Check with the NEAFC to find out how much notice you need to give. This will vary depending on the country you’re exporting to and how your product is presented.
Storage document – for fish stored in the UK but not processed
If you’re exporting to the EU fish sourced from another country that have been stored in the UK for 12 hours or longer, but not processed in any way, you’ll need to create a storage document.
You must keep a copy of the catch certificate from the original consignment with the storage document.
Processing statement – for fish processed in the UK
If you’re exporting to the EU fish sourced from another country that has been processed in the UK, you’ll need to create a processing statement.
Include a copy of the catch certificate from the original consignment with the processing statement.