Exporting live fish and shellfish from England and Wales

From England and Wales you can export live fish or shellfish to the EU or outside of the EU. Often these fish and shellfish exports need health certification. The following describes the EU and non-EU scenarios of exports.

Exporting to the European Union

EU fish health legislation governs movements to a UK territory (Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and Northern Ireland) or an EU member state. The legislation aims to prevent the spread of serious fish and shellfish diseases. The requirements for certification depend upon two categories: the fish or shellfish species and the receiving country's disease status.

The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) at Cefas, will give you tailored advice depending on your scenario. If certification is required, we arrange a consignment inspection and issue all paperwork free of charge. However we require your co-operation and reasonable forward notice.

Additionally we sometimes send computerised messages to the receiving country’s competent authorities. This will include situations when consignment inspection is not necessary.

Exporting to outside the European Union

For exports of live fish and shellfish to outside the EU, you must confirm import requirements of the destination country. You can do this by contacting either the destination Embassy in the UK, or the relevant government department in the destination country.

You must comply with all their requirements. If they require certification or any declarations about the consignment, then ask them to provide further details such as an example document and clarify who signs these documents.

Once you have the correct documentation the FHI can provide further advice or assistance. However, we may charge for inspections and issuing of documentation.