Fish and Fishery Products for Human Consumption

Importing Fish and Fishery Products for Human Consumption

If you are importing fish or fishery products into Northern Ireland from outside the European Union (including Great Britain), there are strict rules you must follow.

These rules also apply to bivalve molluscs (such as mussels, oysters, and clams) and to any products that contain them. The Warrenpoint Border Control Post (BCP) is an approved entry point for fishery products.

Import Rules

All fish or fishery product consignments must:

• Be pre-notified to the Warrenpoint BCP before arrival
• Include the right  Export Health Certificate (EHC)
• Come from an approved non-EU country
• Come from an EU-approved fishery or production site
• Enter the EU through an official Border Control Post, where hygiene checks are carried out by an Official Fish Inspector

Using TRACES NT

To move fish into Northern Ireland, you must:

• Register on TRACES NT (the online system for import controls)
• Pre-notify the BCP of your consignment by fill in a Common Health Entry Document (CHED-P) on TRACES NT

This must be done at least 24 hours before the goods arrive. Some entry points may allow 4 hours’ notice for perishable products like fresh fish or live shellfish.

Guidance on how to register and fill in a CHED-Ps is available on the TRACES NT website.

Certificates and Documents

You must give an Export Health Certificate (EHC) for all imports except for direct landings of fresh fish in Northern Ireland ports from UK-flagged fishing vessels.

Fishery products and bivalve molluscs use different EHC forms. You may also need a Catch Certificate, though this is not needed for live bivalve molluscs.

For more information please visit the DAERA website.