Exporting Fish and Fish Products

From 31 January 2024, consignments of fish & fish products exported to Great Britain (GB) must pre-notified to GB authorities by using IPAFFs. This pre-notification must be made by the GB based importer.

From that date consignments of high and medium risk fish must be accompanied by an Export Health Certificate (EHC). The goods will be subject to identity and physical checks at Border Control Posts (BCPs). For goods from Ireland this will not commence before 31 October 2024.

• Exporting businesses must ensure that they are registered on TRACES to ensure they are on the “approved list of establishments allowed to export to the UK” and to apply to the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority for an Export Health Certificate.
• The Great Britain importer will need to register with, and submit advance notification of the import to IPAFFS.
• From 31 January 2024 High risk & Medium risk Fish & Fishery products will require an Export Health Certificate (EHC) generated on TRACES. FBO submits Part I application to the SFPA 48 hrs in advance of certification requirement .
• SFPA staff will review the consignment details provided by the exporter.
• The SFPA Certifying Officer will verify if requirements of the certificate are met through documentary and potentially Physical Consignment Controls.
• Once the EHC process is completed, the EHC is generated signed, and electronically stamped by the certifying officer. The eCertificate will then be available to download on Traces by the exporter.
• The Irish exporter must provide the original downloaded eCertficate to the GB importer. This eCertificate must uploaded onto IPAFFS before the consignment arrives in GB.
• GB import documentary checks will occur remotely, with identity and physical checks undertaken at the BCP on a risk basis. For goods from Ireland this will not commence before 31 October 2024.
• Irish exporters, who have previously exported primary products to GB, should be aware that the UK EHC does not provide for such exports from registered establishments. This means that exports of live bivalve molluscs going from an aquaculture farm or fishing vessel accompanied by a registration document, or gutted iced finfish from a fishing vessel, cannot occur after 31st January 2024 . Such products must be exported from an approved establishment in Ireland having met any human consumption criteria, in order to reach the UK certification requirements.
• Exports of fish to the UK by direct landing of Irish fishing vessels are not covered by this guidance, and when fresh do not require an EHC. Please see the SFPA website.
• Both the exporter and importer must also comply with Customs requirements. Please see here for details –Revenue - HMRC .

For further information on fish and fish product exports, visit here .

For any queries in relation to this, please email brexitfisheriesgroup@agriculture.gov.ie or sfpabrexit@sfpa.ie