Guidance on landing or exporting fresh fish and shellfish to the EU.
Background
As a third country there are two routes to the EU market for locally caught fresh fish and shellfish: direct and indirect landings.
Since 1st January 2021, additional requirements are in place for both routes.
Landing of Fresh Fish and Shellfish
The documents and requirements are different for fish and shellfish that is directly landed in the EU, and fish and shellfish that is indirectly landed in the EU. The key differences can be found 
here. [400kb].
Direct Landings
To be considered a direct landing, fresh fish and shellfish must remain on the vessel on which it was first caught and be taken directly to the EU. The fish and shellfish must not be offloaded for temporary storage or transferred to another vessel for transit to the EU. Landings must be made at IUU ports that are designated to receive fish and shellfish from third countries.
Bailiwick fishing vessels can continue landing catches in the French ports of Cherbourg, Carteret and Granville.
As things currently stand Diélette is not a designated IUU or NEAFC port for landings of vessels from third countries, meaning that Bailiwick fishing vessels will not be able to land catches at Diélette from 1st January 2021. However discussions are ongoing with the French authorities on this issue.
The requirements for direct landings are:
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) number
- If your vessel is over 12 metres long, and you intend to fish in EU waters, you will need to apply for an IMO number.
Catch Certificate
- To export fish and shellfish to the EU after 1 January 2021, you will need to register on the Fish Export Service (when it becomes available in late 2020) to complete a catch certificate to accompany your landing.
Prior Notification Form
- For direct landings, you will need to submit a prior notification form. You must email the Prior Notification Form to your destination's designated EU port at least four hours before landing (see following section on NEAFC for the current list of designated EU ports and contacts).
Pre-Landing Declaration
- For direct landings, you will also need to fill in a pre-landing declaration and email it to your destination 4 hours before landing. You will need to give details of the area fished and the quantity of fish and shellfish by species on board the vessel.
North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) Port State Control Forms
- Bailiwick vessels will need to direct land fish and shellfish in to NEAFC designated ports. Cherbourg and Carteret are NEAFC designated ports.
- You will need to register your fishing vessel with NEAFC.
- Once your vessel is registered, you'll need to create an account to submit a NEAFC Port State Control form (PSC1) before landing.
- Prior notifications is at least 4 hours for landings in NEAFC designated French Ports.
- For general help and advice on PSC forms and designated ports and contacts please go to: https://psc.neafc.org/welcome
- Video guidance for completing the PSC1 Form - https://psc.neafc.org/guides/psc1-video
Customs Requirements
- The Guernsey Border Agency has issued guidance which outlines the key areas of the customs processes which will change when moving goods between the Bailiwick and the EU from 1st January 2021 onwards. - "Prepare to trade with the European Union from 1st January 2021" document.
- Guernsey Customs are unable to give specific advice on the customs requirements at EU ports. You are therefore strongly advised to obtain such advice from the EU Member State where you will be looking to land fish. Customs agents who currently handle these imports and associated clearances should be able to provide this information or find it out on your behalf.
- Guernsey Customs & Excise may be able to answer specific customs related questions in relation to the impact that Brexit may have on Bailiwick based businesses. Customs & Excise contact details:
- * Email - customsandexcise@gba.gov.gg
- ( Telephone - 01481 741431
- + Customs and Excise, New Jetty, White Rock, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2LL
- GOV.UK Website*
- The UK government website provides information on importing goods from and exporting goods to the EU from 1st January 2021 - https://www.gov.uk/transition
- *Please note that guidance on GOV.UK has been issued for UK businesses and individuals. Whilst most of the content in relation to customs procedures will be relevant to businesses and individuals in the Bailiwick, some may not. This information has been supplied solely to assist businesses and individuals with their preparations.
Live Bivalve Molluscs and Scallops
- Bivalves and scallops may not be direct landed in the EU.
Direct Landing Assistance
- Additional assistance can be found
Indirect Landings of Fresh Fish, Shellfish and Fishery Products
Fishery products, fresh fish or shellfish that is landed within the Bailiwick before onward transport to the EU must enter the EU through a border control post (BCP) that is designated to receive fisheries products link to BCP list. Examples of indirect landings are;
- Where the catch is transferred from one vessel to another then taken to the EU
- Where the catch is held ashore at the harbour or other location before being taken to the EU
- Where the catch is sold to an agent who takes it to the EU
Fresh Fish
- Fresh fish includes crab, lobster and wet fish that have not been processed (except for gutting), but not bivalves, tunicates, gastropods or echinoderms.
Catch Certificate
- To export fish and shellfish to the EU after 1 January 2021, you will need to register on the Fish Export Service (when it becomes available in late 2020) to complete a catch certificate to accompany your export.
Hygiene Approval
- If you prepare or process fish or shellfish (e.g. freezing, cooking, filleting) please contact the Office for Environment Health and Pollution Regulation as soon as possible as the vessel may need hygiene approval: https://gov.gg/article/150761/Contact-Us---Environmental-Health-and-Pollution-Regulation
Export Health Certificate
- Export Health Certificates can only be issued for vessels or premises that have a hygiene approval number. Officers will need to inspect each consignment of fish in Guernsey before issuing the certificate. Original signed and stamped certificates must accompany the shipment. Please contact the Office for Environment Health and Pollution Regulation for further information: https://gov.gg/article/150761/Contact-Us---Environmental-Health-and-Pollution-Regulation
Customs Requirements
- The Guernsey Border Agency has issued guidance which outlines the key areas of the customs processes which will change when moving goods between the Bailiwick and the EU from 1st January 2021 onwards. - "Prepare to trade with the European Union from 1st January 2021" document.
- From 1st January 2021 when goods are exported directly to the EU an electronic export declaration must first be submitted via the Guernsey Electronic Manifest System (GEMS). Details of this requirement can be found in section 6 of the "Prepare to trade with the European Union from 1st January 2021" document. You may request training on how to submit export declarations and manifests by contacting Guernsey Customs & Excise.
- Guernsey Customs are unable to give specific advice on the customs requirements at EU ports. You are therefore strongly advised to obtain such advice from the EU Member State where you will be looking to land fish. Customs agents who currently handle these imports and associated clearances should be able to provide this information or find it out on your behalf.
- Guernsey Customs & Excise may be able to answer specific customs related questions in relation to the impact that Brexit may have on Bailiwick based businesses. Customs & Excise contact details:
- * Email - customsandexcise@gba.gov.gg
- ( Telephone - 01481 741431
- + Customs and Excise, New Jetty, White Rock, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2LL
- GOV.UK Website*
- The UK government website provides information on importing goods from and exporting goods to the EU from 1st January 2021 - https://www.gov.uk/transition
- *Please note that guidance on GOV.UK has been issued for UK businesses and individuals. Whilst most of the content in relation to customs procedures will be relevant to businesses and individuals in the Bailiwick, some may not. This information has been supplied solely to assist businesses and individuals with their preparations.
NOTE: Landing to Jersey Merchants in Guernsey
- If you are landing to a Jersey merchant in Guernsey for onward transit to Jersey or France, the merchant will be responsible for handling any documentation. However please check with them to ensure no further action is required.
