Import legislation

About 80% of the fish we consume in the UK comes from abroad, either from other European Union countries or from non-EU countries.

While movements of fish and fishery products are largely unrestricted within the EU, imports of fish and seafood from outside the EU are very strictly regulated.

The controls are there to ensure that only food that conforms to European and UK standards, and therefore poses no risk to public health, is allowed into the country.

There are requirements for health certification and traceability for all imports and further guarantees on other specific consignments. The importer has to deal with up to four or five different government departments and to complete several forms without a single error - or the consignment could face rejection. At the border, Port Health officials carry out a number of checks on the consignment. Precisely which checks they carry out depends on the consignment, on the exporting country, and latest advice originating in the European Commission.

To help importers deal with the legal requirements they face when importing seafood, Seafish has prepared a guide for importers entitled Seafood Imports: Legislation and Official Procedures, available online or as a downloadable document (the downloadable guide was last updated in August 2010).

It includes:
- Regulation
- How import legislation is shaped by international, European and UK law.
- The main legislation
- Who does what in the UK
- What veterinary checks are and what they cover
- Border Inspection Post procedures
- Rejected consignments
- Official web site addresses for information

For more information, contact:

Ivan Bartolo
Food Standards Officer
E: i_bartolo@seafish.co.uk
T: 01422 846740