UPDATES TO EU SEAFISH GUIDELINES

Updates to EU Seafish Guidelines. Since the last update on 8th March new information has been added to the UK Seafood Industry Guide and there are new questions but also some amended questions. Nevertheless for more detailed information, please consult the UK Seafood industry Guide.

4.1 What new import controls will be in place at the UK border? What health documentation will I need? In the new version our the guide on import controls it has been added the following: you will need a catch certificate and supporting documents, validated by the country of export, for most consignments of wild-caught seafood imported from the EU or elsewhere and for direct landings of non-UK caught fishery products. If the fish you are importing to the UK has been stored, you will need a storage document from the exporter; processed, you will need a processing statement from the exporter this must be filled in by the processor and endorsed by the authority in the country of processing. You should to provide the original paper catch certificate to the port of entry in advance or at the time of your consignment’s arrival. If this is not possible, you should check with your port of entry: some ports may agree to complete the checks if you provide them with an electronic catch certificate documents, provided that hard copies of the documents follow. If your product is listed in Annex I of the IUU Regulation, it is exempt from the catch certificate requirement. You should ensure that the accompanying commercial documents contain information to support your claim that no catch certificate is required, such as documentary evidence that the product is of aquaculture origin.

4.3 What labelling should I have on the consignment? For changes to labelling of packaged seafood intended for the UK market, see Section 2 of this guide.

4.4 How will I be able to check the Customs tariff for my product? In the event of a ‘no deal’ exit from the EU, there will be a number of changes to tariffs. The UK government announced a UK tariff schedule on 13 March 2019 that will supersede the current EU-wide schedule in the event that the UK leaves the EU with no deal. There is more information on the UK tariffs here. HMRC publishes tariff data online, which importers will be able to continue to use to check tariffs on imported goods.

6.5 Will it be possible to obtain an Export Health Certificate for my consignment promptly? (Thus previous question 6.4 now is 6.6, question 6.5 is now 6.7 and question 6.6 is now 6.8) Exporters can apply for blocks of Export Health Certificates (EHCS) to be held by local authorities (LAs) or Official Veterinarians (OVs) ready for export, as required. Issuing ‘blocks’ of serially numbered EHCs to LAs/OVs in advance, will help when certificates are required at pace. The block certification system intends to provide exporters with the flexibility to choose what works best for their business. Block certificates can be requested by indicating the number of certificates required on the relevant EHC application form. As a minimum, exporters must provide the following information to complete a block EHC application: Exporter’s name as consignor & Exporter’s nominated Certifying Officer (EHO/OV). The remaining information can be completed at the point of certification. Any additional information provided at the point of application will be entered on all certificates. A new certification system is to be launched in summer 2019 to make applying for EHCs easier. Therefore, current arrangements are only expected to be in place for a few months.

6.4 How do I get an Export Health Certificate for my consignment to the EU in a ‘no deal’ scenario? In the new version our the guide the following infomation has been added: A new certification system is to be launched in summer 2019 to make applying for EHCs easier. Therefore, current arrangements are only expected to be in place for a few months.

6.6 How do I get a Catch Certificate, Storage Document and/or Processing Statement for my consignment to the EU in a ‘no deal’ scenario? The following regulation completes now the response: Annex I of Regulation 1005/2008 (as amended) for details of any exemptions.