Exporting Fish and Seafood from Poland to the UK — Certificates, BTOM and Catch Certificate

Catch Certificate — When It is Required and How to Obtain It

A catch certificate is required for fish caught in open sea waters — such as cod, herring, mackerel, tuna, shrimp from deep-sea fishing. It confirms that the fish were caught legally, in compliance with fisheries conservation regulations and are not the product of illegal, unreported or unregulated (IUU) fishing. The UK requires a catch certificate for all imported marine fishery products — this forms part of the UK's policy to combat illegal fishing based on the UK IUU Fishing Regulation. The certificate must be issued by the competent authority of the flag state of the fishing vessel or by the authority of the exporting country — in the case of Poland this is the Sea Fisheries Inspection (IRM — Inspekcja Rybołówstwa Morskiego).

Polish Fish and the Catch Certificate — Who Issues It and When

For fish caught by Polish cutters or trawlers destined for export to the UK — the catch certificate is issued by the Sea Fisheries Inspection (IRM). The certificate includes: vessel details (name, IMO/flag number), date and location of catch, fish species, quantity (kg), fishing area (e.g. Baltic Sea, ICES Division IIId), fishing licence number and signature of the IRM official.

The exporter submits the application to IRM before loading. The certificate is issued for a specific consignment — any change in quantity or species requires a new document. The Polish catch certificate procedure is based on Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 establishing a Community system to prevent illegal fishing.

Important: for farmed fish (farmed salmon, trout, carp) a catch certificate is not required — a veterinary health certificate is required instead. See the section below.

Catch Certificate for Re-exports and Processed Products

Polish processors frequently import raw fish from outside the EU (e.g. Atlantic salmon from Norway or Iceland, cod from Iceland/Faroe Islands) and after processing export the product to the UK. In such cases a re-export document or processing statement is required — confirming the chain of custody from the original catch through processing.

The UK Fish Export Service (gov.uk) maintains a database of recognised catch certificate issuing authorities from various countries — check the current list at gov.uk/guidance/catch-certificates-for-non-eu-countries. If the raw material's country of origin (e.g. Norway, Iceland) issued a catch certificate on original import to the EU, that document may be passed on at re-export to the UK — but this requires confirmation with a customs agent.

This article reflects the legal position as of 2026-04-18. Contact a customs broker before taking action.

Health Certificate for Fish Products — APHA Health Requirements

Regardless of the catch certificate, every consignment of fish products and seafood imported to the UK requires a health certificate (Export Health Certificate — EHC) issued by the competent authority in the country of dispatch. For products exported from Poland to the UK — the certificate is issued by the Veterinary Inspection (District Veterinary Officer) or the Trade Quality Inspection of Agricultural and Food Products (IJHARS) depending on the type of product and stage of processing. UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) accepts EHCs in the format specified by the UK — requirements for the certificate format for imports from the EU are published on gov.uk.

Which EHC Health Certificate is Required for Fish from Poland to the UK

For the export of fish products and seafood from the EU to the UK, a health certificate in the APHA-approved format is required. Current EHC templates for fish products from the EU are available in the APHA database on gov.uk — the exporter must select the correct template for their product (e.g. fresh fish, frozen fish, processed fish, live shellfish).

The certificate is issued by the Polish Veterinary Inspection (IW) or IJHARS. The exporter contacts the District Veterinary Officer (PLW) or the regional IJHARS office at least 3–5 working days in advance. The certificate is valid for a limited period — typically 10 days from issue — so timing with loading is critical.

Current EHC templates for EU products: gov.uk IPAFFS and gov.uk — Import fish and shellfish.

IPAFFS Pre-notification for Fish Products — Mandatory

In the same way as for plant products, every consignment of fish, seafood and processed fish products imported to the UK must be pre-notified in IPAFFS. The UK importer or customs agent completes the CHED-P form (Common Health Entry Document for Products of Animal Origin) at least 1 working day before the expected arrival date.

The CHED-P form includes: importer and exporter details, CN/HS code of the goods, product type (fresh/frozen/processed), quantity, EHC health certificate number, catch certificate number (if applicable), port of entry and expected date. Once IPAFFS approves the form it generates a CHED-P number, which is entered into the import customs declaration (CDS).

Failure to submit CHED-P pre-notification results in the consignment being automatically held at the border — regardless of whether paper documents are complete. Easy Clearance handles IPAFFS pre-notification as part of the standard import customs clearance service.

HS Codes for Fish and Seafood — How to Select the Correct Code

The correct HS code determines the duty rate and requirements on import to the UK. Example codes (verify on UK Trade Tariff at trade-tariff.service.gov.uk):

• Atlantic salmon, fresh or chilled: 0302 12 — TCA duty 0%
• Frozen cod: 0303 63 — TCA duty 0%
• Salted or pickled herring: 0305 63 — check MFN vs TCA rate
• Frozen shrimp (seafood): 1605 21 / 1605 29 — check rate
• Frozen farmed trout: 0304 81 — check TCA rate

When TCA rules of origin requirements are met (product from the EU), most fish and fish products from Poland enter the UK at a 0% rate. Always check the current rate on the UK Trade Tariff and verify the catch certificate requirement for the specific species.

Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) — Fish and Seafood Checks in the UK

The Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), introduced by the UK Government from 2024, established risk categories for imported food products. Fish products and seafood are classified as high health-risk products — meaning they are subject to mandatory documentary and identity checks for every consignment, while physical inspection (inspection of the actual goods) is carried out randomly or when APHA identifies a risk. Physical check rates for fish products from the EU are set out in BTOM and may be updated by APHA. Correct documentation (catch certificate + EHC + CHED-P) significantly reduces the risk of a consignment being held. This article reflects the legal position as of 2026-04-18. Contact a customs broker before taking action.

What Checks UK Border Force Carries Out for Fish — BCP Procedure

Fish product consignments are stopped at designated Border Control Posts (BCPs) — border inspection facilities equipped with cold storage and laboratories. For road transport through Dover or the Channel Tunnel, BCPs for food products of animal origin include Sevington (Ashford, Kent) and other designated points.

At the BCP the following checks are carried out: (1) documentary check — verification of EHC, catch certificate and CHED-P, (2) identity check — verifying that the consignment matches the documents (species, quantity, packaging), (3) physical check — organoleptic inspection and possible sampling for laboratory testing. The result of the check (passed/conditional/rejected) is recorded in IPAFFS and linked to the import customs declaration.

What to Do When a Fish Consignment is Held at the UK Border

If UK Border Force or APHA holds a fish product consignment (e.g. due to an incorrect catch certificate, EHC non-conformity or a failed physical inspection), the importer or customs agent typically has 24–72 hours to provide missing documents or appeal the decision. After the deadline — the consignment may be returned to the country of dispatch or destroyed.

Easy Clearance coordinates contact with APHA, supplies missing documents and, where necessary, arranges a new customs declaration or transit procedure for the returned goods. Import customs clearance cost for fish products: from £45 to £150. Rates quoted are indicative — exact pricing after documents are submitted.

What the current rules say

Exporting fish and seafood from Poland to the UK requires: a catch certificate (for wild-caught marine fish — issued by IRM) or an EHC health certificate (Veterinary Inspection/IJHARS) and CHED-P pre-notification in IPAFFS at least 1 working day before arrival. BTOM classifies fish products as high health risk — every consignment is subject to mandatory documentary and identity checks at a BCP. Import customs clearance cost: from £45 to £150. This article reflects the legal position as of 2026-04-18. Contact a customs broker before taking action.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

Is a catch certificate always required when exporting fish from Poland to the UK?

A catch certificate is required for wild-caught marine fish (cod, herring, mackerel, shrimp from wild fisheries). For farmed fish (farmed salmon, trout, carp) a catch certificate is not required — a veterinary health certificate (EHC) is required instead. Confirm the requirement for the specific species with a customs agent.

What is CHED-P pre-notification and when must it be submitted?

CHED-P (Common Health Entry Document for Products of Animal Origin) is a pre-notification form completed in the IPAFFS system by the importer or customs agent in the UK. It must be submitted at least 1 working day before the expected arrival date of the consignment in the UK. Failure to submit CHED-P results in the consignment being held by UK Border Force.

What documents are required for UK customs clearance of fish and seafood?

Required documents: (1) catch certificate for wild-caught fish or EHC health certificate for farmed/processed fish, (2) CHED-P number from IPAFFS, (3) commercial invoice with HS code, (4) packing list, (5) CMR. The customs agent submits the CDS import declaration and coordinates APHA border inspection.

How much does UK customs clearance of fish products cost?

Import customs clearance costs from £45 to £150. Rates quoted are indicative — exact pricing after documents are submitted. The price includes the CDS declaration and IPAFFS pre-notification.

What are the duty rates for fish imported from Poland to the UK?

When TCA rules of origin requirements are met (goods produced in the EU), most fish and fish products enter the UK at a 0% rate. Without proof of origin the MFN rate applies. Always check the current rate for your HS code on the UK Trade Tariff (trade-tariff.service.gov.uk).

Official sources

• Importing fish and shellfish into Great Britain — GOV.UK
• Get a UK catch certificate — GOV.UK
• IPAFFS — Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System — GOV.UK
• The Border Target Operating Model — August 2023 — GOV.UK
• Catch certificates for non-EU countries — GOV.UK