Importers Information IUU
Imports of fish or fishery produce, from a third country (a country that is not an EU Member State), with a commodity code listed under Chapter 3 or Headings 1604/1605 of the Combined Nomenclature, will be subject to IUU controls and will require IUU clearance from the SFPA.
Importers or importer representatives are required to provide all required documentation necessary for IUU clearance. Import documentation must be uploaded to the INIS Portal, the documents will then be transferred to the AFIT portal for review by SFPA staff.
Notification periods for imports of fish or fishery products:
• Sea Freight (UK) – Minimum 24 hours’ notice
• Sea Freight (Third Countries excluding UK) – Minimum 3 working days’ notice
• Air Freight – Minimum 4 hours’ notice
The notice periods are the minimum notice periods, as much notice as possible should be given to avoid any delays with the verification process.
Direct Importation
Documentation required will vary depending on the produce to be imported.
Wild caught fish or fishery produce to be imported where the country of export is the same as the country that issued the validated catch certificate:
• Catch Certificate
• Bill of Lading
• Commercial Invoice
• Health Certificate
• Certificate of Origin
• Statistical Documents (Big Eyed Tuna/Swordfish imports only)
• Any other consignment specific documentation
Wild caught fish or fishery produce to be imported where the country of export is different from the country that issued the validated catch certificate:
• Catch Certificate
• Processing Statement/Storage Document
• Bill of Lading
• Commercial Invoice
• Health Certificate
• Certificate of Origin
• Statistical Documents (Big Eyed Tuna/Swordfish imports only)
• Any other consignment specific documentation
*The importers declaration must be completed by the importer or importer representative on all catch certificates before they are presented for the import of fish or fishery produce.
Fish or fishery produce exempt from the catch certificate scheme:
Certain fish or fishery products are excluded from the definition of fishery produce as outlined in EC Regulation 1005/2008 (eg. Aquaculture, Fresh Water Species). These products are listed by CN code in Commission Regulation 202 of 2011.
• Bill of Lading
• Commercial Invoice
• Health Certificate
• Certificate of Origin
• Any other consignment specific documentation
Original Documents
Original documents including Catch Certificates, Annex IV Processing Statements or Storage Documents, must be submitted to the IUU office. Importer declarations must be completed by the importer or importer representative prior to submission.
It is recommended that original documents as sent via registered post, documents should be sent to:
IUU Office,
Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority,
National Seafood Centre,
Clogheen,
Clonakilty,
Co. Cork
It is important to note that IUU verification checks completed by the SFPA must be completed prior to the health and veterinary checks completed by Border Control Post staff. Provision of IUU clearance does not guarantee that the fish or fishery produce being imported will clear BCP checks.
Guidance Document on Completing Catch Certificate for Importers
IUU Office Contact Details
Email: iuuoffice@sfpa.ie
Tel: +353 85 747 6298