GovWire

This guidance applies only to imports or movements of live fish, molluscs and crustaceans for farming, ornamental, depuration, or any other purpose except direct human consumption, entering England and Wales from outside Great Britain (GB).

It does not apply to dead fish and shellfish, or fish and shellfish products, including live shellfish for direct human consumption.

Find out how to import wild-caught marine fish and fishery product for human consumption.

For information on live fish and shellfish imports from other UK territories and Crown Dependencies, contact:

• Scotland
• Northern Ireland
• Jersey
• Guernsey
• Isle of Man.

Authorisation to import live fish and shellfish

You need authorisation from the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), Cefas to import live fish, molluscs and crustaceans for:

• ornamental purposes
• farming
• human consumption
• scientific research
• put and take fisheries (where catches can be taken home)
• public aquariums and zoos
• spas and medical use (nibble fish)

All sources must be approved by the FHI who will check that the source country you are importing from is approved and can meet the animal health certification requirements for import into the GB.

You can get an unlimited fine if you import fish or shellfish without authorisation.

Apply for authorisation to import live fish and shellfish into England and Wales. Theres no fee for applying.

Approved countries for trade in live aquatic animals

• Non-EU countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain - data.gov.uk
• EU and EFTA countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain - data.gov.uk

Susceptible and vector species

Lists of possible susceptible and vector species, that are referenced in aquatic animal health legislation and import health certificates, can be found here: Susceptible and vector species lists (PDF, 210 KB, 10 pages)

Non-native species

There are extra rules for importing non-native species of fish and shellfish.

Ornamental coldwater fish

You need to include a biosecurity measures plan outlining how you deal with fish health and disease if you import ornamental coldwater fish like koi.

Endangered species

Additional rules apply to endangered species under CITES. Find out how to trade and move species protected by CITES.

Welfare of animals in transit

There are rules for the welfare of animals during transport. Contact APHA to find out more and make sure you are following these rules.

Importing into England and Wales from an EU country

From 1 January there are new processes that importers must follow, which are being introduced in stages. There are two stages applicable to live fish and shellfish (including their eggs and gametes) that are not moving as product for direct human consumption.

Rules from 1 January 2021:

To import live fish and shellfish into GB (England and Wales) from the EU:

• your goods must be accompanied by an animal health certificate using the correct template for imports from the EU. The certificate must confirm that the goods meet the animal health requirements for entry into England and Wales. Contact the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) in advance of making any import arrangements to confirm the health certification requirements and the correct template to use.

• the animal health certificate must be issued and completed by the Competent Authority responsible for aquatic animal health at the source site, your supplier should make this arrangement with them. The original, signed certificate must accompany the consignment.

• you or your Agent must use the UKs Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS) to pre-notify the FHI of your import at least one working day before the consignment is due to arrive. You can submit your notification up to 30 days in advance. You will need to give the EU exporter or their official veterinarian/ fish health inspector the unique notification number (UNN) that is produced on IPAFFS so it can be added to the health certificate which accompanies the consignment. You also need to upload a copy of the health certificate onto IPAFFS in advance of the import. Allow time for this when making the IPAFFS pre-notification.

• in the event that the original, stamped and signed export health certificate is not present on IPAFFS in advance of the import leaving the source site, the FHI will contact the importer to request the missing documentation isuploaded to IPAFFS urgently. Failure to provide this documentation will result in enforcement action being taken.

• the FHI will carry out documentary checks and, if required, risk based physical checks at destination.

In addition, you need:

• an EORI number

• to comply with customs requirements. Contact HMRC for more information.

Movements into England and Wales from Northern Ireland and Crown Dependencies

For movements of live fish and shellfish into GB (England and Wales) from Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man:

• movements of fish, molluscs and crustaceans that are susceptible to or vectors for serious (notifiable) diseases must be accompanied by an animal health certificate, using the correct template for movements from Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies. The certificate must confirm that the goods meet the animal health requirements for entry into England and Wa

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