Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishery Products

The Regulation applies to marine caught fishery products.

Products made up of fish and other ingredients may be covered by the Regulation. If the product falls under CN Code 03, 1604 or 1605, a catch certificate will be required.  This applies where there is any wild caught fish content greater than 20%.

Freshwater and farmed (aquaculture) fish and marine fish imported for ornamental purposes fall outside of the scope of the Regulation (see Regulation 1005/2008, Annex I https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2008/1005/annex/I

Importers are required to notify Port Health of the intended arrival of the consignment two working hours prior to arrival.

Our office hours are Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00.

For example, if you have a consignment which is due to arrive on Saturday at 13:00, this would need to be pre-notified by 15:00 on Friday, before the consignment is landed.

The importer or agent on their behalf will be required to complete an IUU pre-notification on PHILIS DES. If you don't have an account with PHILIS then you will need to register, please see our pre notification page for more information.

Supporting documentation (catch certificate, sea waybill, invoice, packing list etc.) can be attached to the pre-notification or e-mailed to porthealth@dover.gov.uk.

Products made up of fish and other ingredients may be covered by the Regulation. If the product falls under CN Code 03, 1604 or 1605, a catch certificate will be required. This applies where there is any wild caught fish content greater than 20%.

You may be asked to provide written confirmation from HMRC Tariff Classification team https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ask-hmrc-for-advice-on-classifying-your-goods of the commodity code for your goods.

When Port Health are completing IUU checks on a consignment, there are certain documents that we will need to see to be able to endorse the catch certificates and release the consignment.

These are:

Copy of Original catch certificate(s)

Required when the country exporting the fish is the same as the country the fishing vessel is flagged to (this may be a printed electronic version dependant on the country issuing the catch certificate, e.g. Norway).

Importer’s declaration: All Copies of catch certificates submitted must have the Importer’s declaration section completed by the importer or their representative.  Please ensure all sections are completed: Name & Address, Signature, Date, CN code and company stamp.

When presenting more than one catch certificate, as an alternative a Multiple Catch Certificate Summary Document can be downloaded, completed, signed and submitted with the catch certificate documentation. To download a copy see useful downloads on this page.

Copy of processing statement (Annex IV)

Required when the fishery product(s) are processed (before export) in a country that is not the same as the flag state of the catching vessel. This must be endorsed by the competent authority in the country of processing.

Copy of storage document

Required when the fish is stored (before export) in a country that is not the same as the flag state of the catching vessel and/or processing country.

Copy commercial documents

T1/CMR, invoice and packing list. These should refer to the import into Great Britain.

All imports will be subjected to a documentary check to ensure that the catch certificate and associated paperwork relates to the consignment and that it is valid. The catch certificate format will be checked along with the stamps and signatures of the Flag State. Vessels will be checked against the list of known IUU vessels (vessels previously found to have been engaged in illegal fishing activities). Further checks may be carried out on catch areas and Regional Fishery Management Organisation information, where applicable.

Where there may be a discrepancy between the catch certificate and associated paperwork, additional checks may be undertaken on the consignment, in line with current government guidelines.

Satisfactory Checks

Upon satisfactory completion of the IUU checks, the paperwork will be signed and stamped by the Port Health Authority and returned to the agent. The agent will need to submit a copy of the endorsed catch certificate to HMRC, to enable the consignment to be released.

Unsatisfactory Checks

If significant issues are discovered during IUU checks, which are in breach of the Regulations, a referral to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) will be made.

Products failing to satisfy import conditions may be re-exported to a country outside the UK (provided the receiving country competent authority is in agreement). If the consignment is deemed to have been fished illegally it could be confiscated or destroyed (at a cost to the importer).

Since 1 January 2021, EU origin marine caught fishery products which are imported into Great Britain fall within the scope of the IUU Regulations.

There currently is not an IUU Customs hold on consignments of fish from the EU covered by the IUU requirements. The only exception to this is for imports of Bluefin Tuna and Antarctic and Patagonian Toothfish, which will be subject to a Customs hold. These species must be accompanied with a statistical document.

Importers will still need to pre-notify Dover Port Health of EU origin marine caught fishery imports two working hours in advance and submit their IUU documents, in-line with the IUU Regulations.

Imports from non-EU countries will continue to have a Customs hold on fish products.

Fees are payable for checking documentation and examination or sampling consignments should it prove necessary.

Our current fees and charges can be found on our Port Health charges page.

Please email porthealth@dover.gov.uk to set up a payment account prior to the arrival of an import.

1. What is IUU fishing?

“IUU” stands for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. IUU fishing includes all fishing that breaks fisheries laws or occurs outside the reach of fisheries laws and regulations.

2.  What products are subject to prenotification and controls?

The IUU Regulation applies to marine caught fishery products.

Freshwater and farmed (aquaculture) fish and marine fish imported for ornamental purposes fall outside of the scope of the Regulation (see Regulation 1005/2008, Annex I https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2008/1005/annex/I

Products made up of fish and other ingredients may be covered by the Regulation. If the product falls under CN Code 03, 1604 or 1605, a catch certificate, along with other supporting documentation, will be required. This applies where there is any wild caught fish content greater than 20%.

You may be asked to provide written confirmation from HMRC Tariff Classification team https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ask-hmrc-for-advice-on-classifying-your-goods of the commodity code for your goods.

IMPORTANT: Relating to fish and fish products, any POAO from Rest of World (RoW) countries cannot enter through Dover unless it had undergone SPS checks in any EU country and the importer can present an EU endorsed CHED-P as evidence thereof.

RoW* Countries not belonging to the EU, EFTA and EEA.

3. Where can I find UK government guidance on importing fish into GB?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/importing-or-moving-fish-to-the-uk

4. Who and how do I need to notify?

Pre-notification requirements relating to fishery products need to be submitted on both the Government IPAFFS system (as POAO), and the Dover Port Health Authority PHILIS system. Both are separate from each other.

PHILIS:

• Importers (or agents on their behalf) are required to notify Dover Port Health Authority of all food imports in advance of their arrival by completion of an electronic pre-notification form.
• The importer will be required to register for a PHILIS account to enable completion of the online pre-notification which may take several days to be approved. Once approved, a confirmation email will be received by the importer which will contain their log in details and organisation number.
• User Guides can be found under the support button within the PHILIS system once you have logged in which provides information on how to submit a pre-notification. You will have to complete the mandatory boxes and then save and submit the pre-notification. A box will appear stating ‘Submitted successfully.'
• Login and complete your notification
• Register to use this system

IPAFFS:

• All Products of Animal Origin (POAO), Animal By-Products (ABP) and High Risk Foods Not of Animal Origin (HRFNAO) consignments need to be pre-notified on the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS).
• If you haven’t done so already, please register for a training video and guidance on how to create and complete a pre-notification on IPAFFS is also available.
• To register to use the IPAFFS system traders will need to set up a Government Gateway account and create a Defra account for the IPAFFS service.

5. What are the pre-notification requirements? What documents do I need to submit to the Dover Port Health Authority with my prenotification?

• Common Health Entry Document - (CHED-P)*
• Catch Certificate (NB: with the importers declaration correctly completed / this section can also be completed by the agent on behalf of the importer)
• If the fish is derived from Aquaculture or freshwater, evidence thereof.
• Processing Statement and / or Storage Documents for indirect imports (See question 8 below).
• Transport Documents - CMR or T1 for the consignment's journey into Great Britain
• Invoice
• Packing List

*If the fish originates from a Rest of World country but has been imported from an EU state, an EU validated CHED-P must be submitted as evidence the fish had undergone SPS checks prior to import into GB.

6. When do I need to pre-notify the Dover Port Health Authority of my import of fish products?

For Roll-on Roll-off traffic, the minimum prenotification time to the Dover Port Health Authority for fish related imports through Dover Is 2 working hours prior to the arrival thereof.

7. What happens if I don’t submit a pre-notification to Dover Port Health Authority for my consignment?

In addition to creating a notification on IPAFFS, it is also currently a legal requirement under Regulation (EC) 1005/2008 that importers notify the respective Port Health authorities for all imports of fish into GB. Failing to pre-notify or failing to submit the correct documentation within the required time allocation may result in enforcement action being taken against the importer. Ordinarily, any non-compliant consignment will be referred to the Marine Management Organisation after 10 working days from the date of the original prenotification.

Dover Port Health only deals with imports through the Port of Dover and The Channel Tunnel.

8. Storage documentation and processing statements:

In the case of fish caught by a third country vessel and exported to EU, subsequently repacked or processed in different EU Member States, and a share of this fish is re-exported to the UK, are the EU Member States responsible for documentation with regards to Article 14 (1) and (2) of the UK IUU legislation? Where can these documents be found?

The UK IUU legislation mirrors Article 14 (1) and 14 (2) of the EU IUU Regulation, and the UK provides a template for the processing statement and storage document. As regards Article 14 (1) of the UK IUU Regulation (reference to storage document) where fishery products are stored prior to being exported from the EU into the UK, importers need to provide documentary evidence, issued by the competent authority of that (EU) Member State, as required in accordance with article 14 (1) (b). Any documented evidence that the fishery products did not undergo operations other than unloading, reloading or any operation designed to preserve them in good condition, and remained under the surveillance of the competent authorities, can be submitted to UK competent authorities. This could also be in the form of a storage document. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-fish-from-the-eu-from-1-january-2021

9. In the case of fish caught by UK vessels and exported to EU (direct landing in EU), the fish is then re-packed or processed in different EU Member States and this fish is re-exported to the UK. Do EU operators have to provide the appropriate documentation with regards to Article 14 (1) and (2) of the IUU Regulation?

As of 1st January 2021 all direct landings by UK vessels to EU ports should be accompanied by a catch certificate issued by the UK Marine Management Organisation (MMO). If the products are then processed / stored in the EU and finally re-exported to the UK, this would require a processing statement / document complying with Article 14 (1) provisions, along with a copy of the original catch certificate.

10. UK is asking for Annex IV and storage document to Member States under UK legislation. Should each Member State draw up their own ones?

Any document complying with the template of Annex IV provided by the UK could be used (in EN). As regards Article 14 (1) of the UK IUU legislation (reference to storage), where fishery products are stored prior to being exported from the EU into the UK, importers will need to provide documented evidence, issued by the competent authority of the EU Member State, as required in Article 14 (1) (b) of the UK legislation. Any documented evidence that the fishery products did not undergo operations other than unloading, reloading or any operation designed to preserve them in good condition, and remained under the surveillance of the competent authorities, can be submitted to UK competent authorities. This could also be in the form of a storage document using the format provided by UK or any other form that fulfils the latter.

11. When the catch comes from a Member State vessel, is processed in the same Member State and then it is exported, is a processing statement endorsed by this Member State required?

No, in this case a catch certificate is required, but no processing statement.

12. What documents are needed when the fish from an EU Member State flagged vessel is landed in the same EU Member State and is directly sent to the UK?

If the fish is caught by a fishing vessel flagged to an EU Member State and the catch is landed in the same Member State and then is exported to the UK, the flag State has to validate a catch certificate for each consignment.

13.What documents are needed when the fish from an EU Member State flagged vessel is landed in the same EU Member State and is transported to another EU Member State where it is processed or stored and then is sent to the UK?

If the fish is landed by a fishing vessel flagged to an EU Member State, transported to another EU Member State where it is processed or stored, then the flag Member State has to issue a catch certificate and the Member State/s where the processing/storage takes place have to issue a processing statement and/or proof of storage.

14. Where fish sourced from a third country flagged vessel is imported into the EU, then processed or stored in an EU Member State and then exported to the UK, what documents are required?

In this situation the fish has been imported into the EU with a catch certificate in accordance with the EU IUU Regulation. If any of this fish is exported onto the UK, then an EU Member State processing statement or proof of storage will be needed if it is processed or stored in an EU Member State prior to exportation to the UK.

15. An EU operator imports fishery products (caught by a vessel flying the flag of a third country) into a Member State A. The imported fishery products are then processed in that Member State. A processing statement is submitted to and endorsed by Member State A authorities for the consignment of the processed products to be exported to the UK. The products are sent to another Member State B and stored there in a warehouse. Eventually only part of the products covered by the processing statement are exported to the UK from that warehouse. What documents are required for the given export to the UK?

The consignment of products destined to the UK should be accompanied (i.e. UK importer should submit to the UK IUU competent authority) by the following documents: · Original (if available) or copies of catch certificates from the flag State of the vessel that caught the fish subject to processing and was used for import into the EU Member State A. · Original (if available) or copy of the processing statement from the Member State A where the processing took place. · Storage document from the Member State B where products were stored in relation to the quantity of products being exported to the UK. Any other information and documents complying with Article 14.1 of the UK IUU legislation could also be submitted for that purpose.

16. What charges are associated with IUU documentary checks?

For all charges, please visit our Port Health Charges Page.

17. My enquiry is not addressed in any of the above questions. Where can I find further information?

Please contact the Dover Port Health Authority for further guidance and information. For contact details please visit our contact us page.