EU exit guide for fishers: fish in UK waters, land in UK and your catch is sent to EU

Guidelines to assist the industry in understanding the additional regulatory requirements resulting from the UK leaving the EU without an agreement.


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STAGE 1: LAND CATCH IN THE UK: The vessel(s) will land it catch(es) as normal into a UK port.

STAGE 2: OBTAIN CATCH CERTIFICATE: The Master/agent/processor, as the exporter, will need to obtain a validated Catch Certificate(s) and forward to the EU importer. A multiple vessel consignment is permitted.

STAGE 3: OBTAIN EXPORT HEALTH CERTIFICATES: The UK exporter will obtain required Export Health Certificate(s) (EHC).

STAGE 4: SUBMIT CATCH CERTIFICATE: The EU importer will complete the declaration (section 11) on the Catch Certificate(s) and submit to the EU competent authorities of destination / EU Member State(s) within the required time frame.

STAGE 5: CONSIGNMENT TO BCP: The consignment is transported to an EU Border Control Post (BCP) with the EHC
(and other relevant invoicing, customs and packing documentation), where it is approved (or rejected) and enters the EU.

TO COMPLETE THESE PROCESSES, You need to register with the correct authorising authorities:

To export to the EU, you need to have an importer registered in the EU. There are additional requirement for the EU importer and information that you will need from them as the exporter.

Sea-based operations:

  • Arrangements for landing fish in non-EU countries such as Norway remain unchanged.

  • If a vessel wishes to access EU port facilities with no catch onboard, the vessel must notify the EU designated port within the required time frame.

  • Fishing in EU waters may not be permitted as UK vessels may no longer have access to EU fishing grounds. Please contact Marine Scotland for updates on access agreements.

Exceptions

  • In the cases of force majeure or distress, access to any EU Member State port is permitted but only for services strictly necessary to remedy situation.
  • Current fisheries management regulations under the Common Fisheries Policy have been retained into UK domestic law and will therefore continue to apply to your day-to-day operations.

To get more support on this process please contact your nearest Marine Scotland Fishery Office.

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