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Fish, Trace, Ship

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Last updated: 18/11/25

Context and background

Why are the IUU requirements changing

From 10 January 2026, the EU will require more detailed documentation for seafood imports. This includes updates to catch certificates, processing statements, and storage documents (it is also important to note that, from January 2026, storage documents will be renamed as non-manipulation documents). These changes strengthen traceability and prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Will there be a grace period after the changes take effect?

No. The new rules apply immediately from January 2026, with no grace period. Businesses should prepare now to avoid disruption.

What if my consignment doesn’t have the correct documents?

Consignments without the required documentation may be rejected at the EU border once the new rules take effect.

Will there be extra resources and additional hours for the FES helpline?

Plans are in progress for additional support; details will be shared in due course.

Is there government funding?

No, there is no dedicated funding at this point in time.

Are hard copies needed at BCPs?

There are ongoing discussions with European Commission and Member States to clarify and encourage flexibility.

What happens if the Fish export service website goes down?

We understand the critical need for uninterrupted trade processes, including during periods when systems may be unavailable outside of standard operating hours. To address this, we are actively developing comprehensive contingency plans that cover both in-hours and out-of-hours scenarios. These measures aim to ensure trade can continue to be facilitated with minimal disruption, regardless of when an outage occurs. 

These processes are subject to regular reviews to ensure they remain effective and responsive to emerging challenges. Our goal is to provide a robust framework that supports uninterrupted operations and maintains compliance at all times

Catching Sector

How do the new changes apply to the catching sector? How will it apply to fisherman directly?

The fishermen will need to pass along their catch area, trip dates and gear type down the supply chain to exporters. Exporters will be required to provide this information if they are exporting consignments of fish or seafood overseas. Even if you do not export directly, you need to be aware of the changes as theymay impact your ability to sell your produce on.

In the case of direct landings into a third country port fishermen will be required to complete a catch certificate with the additional fields. The transport detail changes will not be relevant for any catch certificates for direct landings.

Labelling

We transport all our own produce, can you give more information on labelling as this may be difficult for us to do in our situation?

Most of the labelling requirements are pre-existing. The information has to be available with the lot meaning you can have a one label for the entire lot rather than information for individual boxes.

There will be some new information required on labels such as fishing trip start dates and more detailed gear information on labels, but we are making guidance available to help markets be able to meet the new requirements.

We have also created leaflets and posters to go out to the catching sector to improve the flow of information up the supply chain.

What if we have fish from multiple trips from a vessel in one lot being as exported as one? It will be easy for the information to get mixed up.

You may be able to number the boxes to be able to correspond with the labels to avoid mixing up boxes/labels. In the meantime, MMO and other DG’s are working hard to make this situation as seamless as possible.

Will the catch certificate number be required on labels? What will change about labelling?

We are currently seeking more clarification from the EU on the changes for labelling but the catch certificate number is required on the label for entry into the EU market

What if the catch certificate number needs to be changed after labelling? If any changes are needed, this will be difficult as all that work will need to be completed again.

We are currently seeking more clarification from the EU.

How are we supposed to label frozen products months before a catch certificate is generated if the number is required on labels?

We need further clarification for this from the EU – You will not need to generate individual product labels but one label for the lot being exported.

IUU Documentation

Catch certificate

What new information does the catch certificate application require?

You’ll need to provide additional details including:

  • Start date of the fishing trip
  • Catch area information (EEZ, high seas, RFMO)
  • Gear used to catch the product
  • Transport details, including the first mode of transport and point of entry into the importing country

Guidance is available with more details about the information required in each field.

Do I need to fill out the new optional catch certificate questions now?

The new information fields in the catch certificate application will remain optional until January 2026. You can choose to fill them out now to familiarise yourself with the process, but it won’t affect your ability to obtain a certificate if you don’t answer these questions before January 2026.

What happens if I enter information into optional fields?

Prior to January 2026, any information you enter in the optional fields will be stored securely but will not be recorded on catch certificates during this period. You should continue to check that all information is accurate and up to date on your application before submission.

From January 2026, when these fields become mandatory and when the new certificate format is introduced, answers entered in these fields will appear on the final PDF certificate. Once the mandatory period has begun, the fields will no longer appear as “optional” in the catch certificate application, as they will be mandatory alongside the existing fields.

Will I be able to submit a catch certificate without this information after 10 January 2026?

No. From 10 January 2026, the new fields will become mandatory, and it will not be possible to submit an application for a catch certificate without completing them. You must provide all required information for the system to generate a valid certificate.

When will the PDF version of the certificate be updated?

The updated PDF layout will be introduced shortly before 10th January 2026. We’ll confirm the exact timing closer to the change.

What happens if the transport details change once the catch certificate has been submitted and the consignment is in transit, e.g. if a vehicle breaks down or a ferry cancellation.

We are continuing to work with the European Commission to agree on how this can be implemented to support UK exporters.

What information do I need to provide on the Catch Certificate for transporting goods by truck under the new transport requirements? Often we use the same container but we use a different lorry to transport the goods to Dover than the lorry that leaves the UK

For each method of transport used to export the consignment (e.g. road, sea, air), exporters will need to provide a form of transport identification.

  • For road transport, the vehicle registration number will be required.
  • For other transport modes, such as sea or air, a relevant identifier (e.g. vessel name, IMO number, flight number) will be required

We are continuing to work with the European Commission to agree how transport identification should be implemented for container transport, particularly in cases where the same container may be transferred between vehicles (e.g. picked up by a different lorry at a UK port). Further guidance will be provided once this is confirmed.

Is anything else changing in the Catch Certificate application?

Yes. From January 2026, exporters will need to ensure they enter the weight of fish to be exported, as it was landed in the UK before any processing, when completing the weight box on the catch certificate.

This applies specifically to exports of fish that have been landed by a UK vessel and processed in UK establishments. For these products, the catch certificate must reflect the unprocessed landed weight, not the final processed weight at the point of export.

This change supports new rules for exports of fish that have been landed and subsequently processed in the UK.

If the fish has not been processed since landing, this change will not affect how you complete the catch certificate.

Will it cause customs issues if the transport details on the Catch Certificate refer to the collection vehicle, but customs documentation reflects the export transport information?

We cannot speak for individual BCPs however, we can raise this as a point of concern with the EU.

In terms of transport details asking for documents/references, what is required?

This could include the Bill of lading, CMR or airway bill. Including additional transport document reference is not mandatory, but this extra information can be added where known.

When should NEAFC be entered on the CC?

If you are fishing in the UKs EEZ, you do not need to put NEAFC in the RFMO box. If you are fishing in the High Seas that is also covered by the NEAFC convention area, then you will need to input NEAFC into the RFMO section of the catch certificate. Please see the guidance for further information.

Do you need separate Catch Certificates for whole fish and fillets?

If the vessel lands more than one state/presentation of a species then these can be entered as separate lines on a single catch certificate.
In instances where all the fish was landed whole and processing occurred on land to turn half of it into fillets. The catch certificate will need to reflect the whole landed weight of the fish and a subsequent processing statement will need to be created for the processed fish. In this scenario both a catch certificate and processing statement will be required to accompany the consignment.

Is the Catch Certificate and/or Processing Statement number required on product labels?

DEFRA are seeking further clarification from the EU on this.

How should info be passed from vessel to auction to exporter?

We encourage exporters to communicate with their supply chain to ensure they are informed; labels or other methods can be used to pass on information. We encourage everyone across the supply chain to pass that information along.

What extra information must fishermen provide?

Fishermen are encouraged to also pass on information about:  gear type, trip dates, fishing area and any processing that has occurred after landing. Labels are one method of passing on this information.

Can information from vessels such as logbook or Catch App data that is sent to the MMO be used?

The legal requirements for submission of this information does not align with how fast exports take place. Therefore, the information must be passed down the supply chain manually to ensure exports are successful.

For store pots, is start date of the trip the day of collection?

 Yes, that is correct. The start date is NOT the date the pots were deployed

Is a Catch Certificate needed for gutted fish?

Yes. If the vessel landed the fish gutted then only a catch certificate will be required. In instances that the vessel landed the fish whole and it was then gutted on land a catch certificate will need to be created to reflect the whole weight of the fish and a processing statement will be required to account for the processing.

Transport details

Will the trailer number be required on catch certificates?

Currently this is not a mandatory field, but the registration number of the transport will be mandatory.

What if the lorry needs to change? How much leeway will we have for situations like this if it lands in the EU with different transport details?

In our recent discussion with the EU Commission, we clarified that while the transport section of the catch certificate cannot be left blank, exporters may complete it with the information available to them at the time of creating the catch certificate. This is in recognition that full transport details may not always be known at that stage. The EU importer must also provide transport information via the importer declaration, specifically, the means of transport upon arrival and the transport document reference. If requested, the importer can also submit supplementary transport details received from the exporter after the catch certificate has been issued.

We are sending product from Republic of Ireland into the UK, they are already using a lot of these new requirements to import into the UK already?

We are aligning our processes for all 3 documents with the EU to allow smooth import and re-export. These requirements are voluntary at the moment and there will be more engagement session to relay this information to industry.

Processing Statement

What is changing in the UK processing statement application?

From late November 2025, the processing statement application and certificate is being updated to ensure compliance with the updated EU regulation, enabling UK exporters to continue to have access to the EU market. From January 2026, new rules will require additional documentation for exports of UK-landed and processed fish.

When do the new requirements come into effect?

The new requirement to complete a processing statement for UK-landed and subsequently UK-processed fish comes into effect from January 2026. Guidance has been published to help users prepare for this change.

What do I need to do differently from January 2026?

From January 2026, if you export fish that was landed in the UK and processed in the UK before export, you must complete:

  • A catch certificate showing the unprocessed landed weight to be exported, and
  • A processing statement documenting the processing activity and resulting product.

Previously, only a catch certificate was required for these products. From January 2026, the catch certificate must reflect the weight of the fish in its original landed state before any processing, and a processing statement must be created to confirm any processing that has occurred since landing.
This means the weight entered on the catch certificate should reflect the fish to be exported as it was landed, not after it has been filleted, smoked, or otherwise processed.

This update does not affect users exporting fish that has remained unprocessed since landing

Is a processing statement required for fish processed before landing?

No. A processing statement is not required for any processing that occurred onboard a fishing or processing vessel prior to landing in the UK.

What counts as “processing”?

Processing includes activities such as:

• Cutting, filleting, canning, smoking, salting, cooking, pickling, drying, or preparing fish for market.

Freezing and/or packing alone do not require a processing statement.

What weight information do I need to enter in the processing statement?

You’ll need to enter:

  • Catch certificate weight (kg) – matches Box 3 of the catch certificate.
  • Export weight before processing (kg) – the weight of fish that was processed.
  • Export weight after processing (kg) – the net weight of fish in the final product (excluding added ingredients like oil or brine).

When will I see these changes in the application?

From late 2025, the processing statement application will change so that:

  • You are able to link each product and species to its relevant catch certificate.
  • Each processed product and its catch certificate(s) are displayed separately in the summary screen.

The exporter details, processing plant details, and export health certificate screens unchanged.

Will it cause issues if we start using Processing Statement before January?

The changes to the processing statement application have not yet been released into the fish export service, we therefore do not recommend that you create processing statements to accompany UK catch certificates until January.

For goods processed in the EU and then again in the UK, will we just need to create the processing statement against the original catch certs?

Yes, UK processing statement will need to be created to account for any processing that occurred within the UK. This processing statement will need to accompany the catch certificate and processing statement from the EU.

If catch is processed onboard the vessel, will a processing statement be required?

No, a processing statement is not required for any processing that has taken place onboard a vessel prior to landing. Only a catch certificate would be required to accompany consignments like these.

Is the processing statement needed to get the goods into the EU? The goods won’t get in with a catch certificate only?

If you are exporting good landed into the UK, processed on land and then exported to the EU – a catch certificate and processing statement will be required. For example, you will need a catch certificate for the weight landed that is to be exported and a processing statement for the processed product. You do not need a processing statement for processing carried out on board the vessel – only for processing carried out on land in the UK.

Is there a process in place to account for processed fish appearing on a catch cert then also appearing on a processing statement that won’t lead to the fishery officers asking us questions about us sending, for example, 30kg of monk tails on a catch cert then a processing statement, will this flag as 60kg to fishery officers?

The weight on the catch certificate should not be the processed weight if the processing took place on land. For example, if 60kg of Monk was landed whole and then it was processed into monk tails on land before being exported. The catch certificate would show 60kg Whole Monkfish and the processing statement would reference that weight and then reflect the 20kg processed weight of the tails.

Storage document (changing to non-manipulation document)

What is a non-manipulation document?

A non-manipulation document (previously called a storage document) confirms that fishery products imported into the UK and stored prior to re-export have not been altered or manipulated during their time in the UK.

What is changing from January 2026?

From 10 January 2026:

  • The name of the document changes from storage document to non-manipulation document to align the UK document name to that adopted within the EU regulations.
  • A new version of the document template will be introduced, with updated sections to improve traceability and clarity.

Why has the name changed from storage document?

The name change from storage document to non-manipulation document has been made to align with the EU’s terminology for this document.

What’s new in the non-manipulation document application and template?

The updated template includes:

  • A new Arrival to Place of Storage section, capturing details of the consignment’s journey before entering UK storage. This includes:
  • Date the consignment departed its previous location
  • Method of transport used (e.g. sea, air, road)
  • Place of departure
  • Arrival at storage date (this will become mandatory once the application changes go live)
  • A split Consignment Details section:
    • On arrival: Product type, condition (e.g. chilled or frozen), and quantity when entering UK storage.
    • On departure: Product type and quantity when leaving storage, to confirm no manipulation occurred.
  • A revised Departure from Place of Storage section, documenting how and when the consignment leaves the UK. This includes:
    • Date the consignment leaves the UK
    • Method of transport used
    • Point of departure and final destination

When is a non-manipulation document required?

You must complete a non-manipulation document in the following scenarios:

  • When fishery products have been imported into the UK and stored prior to re-export.
  • When a consignment is split into sub-consignments before export, each sub-consignment must have its own non-manipulation document.

Do all fishery products require a non-manipulation document?

No. Some fish and shellfish are excluded from the definition of ‘fishery products’ and do not require a non-manipulation document. Check the guidance for the list of exclusions.

Indirect exports

What is an indirect export?

An indirect export refers to seafood which has been imported from another country into the UK where it is usually stored or processed, and then re-exported to a different destination, for example, to the EU.

This typically applies to consignments that are stored or processed in the UK before being re-exported.

How will the new EU rules affect indirect exports?

Indirect exports to the EU, where seafood is first imported into the UK and then re-exported, must include all IUU documentation, such as catch certificates, processing statements and non-manipulation documents, as required by the EU.

Missing or incomplete documentation may result in delays at the border, rejection of consignments, or non-compliance with EU import controls. Exporters should ensure all paperwork is accurate and complete before shipping.

How will the UK ensure documents for re-exports meet EU requirements?

The UK is updating its systems and processes to align with the EU’s IUU documentation standards. In the short term, this will be supported through agreements with other countries, to use the EU’s revised IUU documentation templates, which will ensure that consignments contain all the additional information required to meet new EU requirements.

The UK will also provide updated guidance for exporters. Longer term this change will be formalised in legislation.

EU CATCH and integration with the UK Fish Export Service

Are there plans to link gear type to PLNs? 

There are no current plans to have a link between PLNs and gear type within the Fish Export Service. In instances where vessels have multiple gears it would not be possible to automatically populate this field.  

Is manual MMO authentication still needed for non-registered inshore/in-river vessels?

Yes, a manual work around will remain in place for non-powered vessels.

EU CATCH:

What is EU CATCH?

CATCH is part of the European Commission’s online platform for managing sanitary and phytosanitary certifications for trade in animals, products, and plants (Traces NT). The CATCH part is used to electronically certify that fish and fishery products have been caught legally and meet EU import rules; preventing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Do I need to use CATCH if I’m based in Great Britain?


No. CATCH will be mandatory for EU operators from 10 January 2026. However, under the Windsor Framework, importers in Northern Ireland will need to use it.

Can I use EU CATCH instead of FES if I’m based in Great Britain?


EU CATCH has the functionality for Third Country exporters to use to create export documents. However, the UK has not taken up this option as it would not allow for the validation of documents in real time like FES does. Therefore, all UK generated IUU documents need to be done through FES

Northern Ireland:

Do I need to use the CATCH system if I’m based in Northern Ireland?

Yes. Under the Windsor Framework, Northern Ireland must follow the EU’s IUU Regulation. From 10 January 2026, importers will need to use CATCH for fishery products from non-EU countries, including Great Britain.

Where can Northern Ireland importers learn more about CATCH?

DAERA will provide training materials, info sessions, and workshops to help Northern Ireland importers understand and use the CATCH system.

Will using CATCH affect trade via NIRMS?

No. Fishery products moved from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under NIRMS are exempt from the new EU requirements. Current processes remain unchanged.

How does the UK’s FES system interact with CATCH?

Currently, FES and CATCH aren’t digitally linked. EU importers must manually transfer data from FES to CATCH, which may create extra work. The UK plans to integrate both systems in 2026 to ease this burden.

When will FES and CATCH be integrated?

Integration is planned for early 2026.

What does FES–CATCH integration mean for UK seafood exports?

Catch documentation created in FES will be digitally transferred to CATCH, helping maintain smooth and attractive export processes to the EU.

How will integration benefit Northern Ireland importers?

It will remove the need to manually enter data from FES into CATCH for fishery products from Great Britain.

What about seafood imported into the UK from other countries and re-exported to the EU?

If the exporting country hasn’t integrated with CATCH, documentation will still need to be manually uploaded.

TRACES

We were told there would be a new requirement for TRACES NT with each shipment, can you tell us more about TRACES NT?

TRACES NT (TRade Control and Expert System – New Technology) is the European Commission’s digital certification and management platform for all sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, supporting the importation of animals, animal products, food and feed of non-animal origin and plants into the European Union.

CATCH is the first IT tool to streamline checks and verifications of catch certificates for wild caught fishery products entering the EU market. The use of CATCH will become compulsory for EU (Includes NI) operators and authorities for imports of fishery products as of 10 January 2026 through the most recent revision of the IUU Regulation (see Article 4 of the revised Fisheries Control).

Act Now! Get on Board!

Start adopting the new changes early. The new EU requirements do not come into force until 10 January 2026. However, all UK fishing authorities strongly advise you to familiarise yourself with the changes as they roll out and start to provide the relevant information to your buyers when selling your produce. This will help minimise disruption to your business and keep exports moving.

We understand these changes create an extra burden on the wider UK fishing industry. We are working to support fishermen, merchants and exporters with these changes to minimise any disruption to commercial operations and trade. 

How we are supporting you

UK Fishing Authorities have published new guidance explaining these changes, and we have been conducting face to face sessions with fishermen, merchants and exporters in England over the summer. Further engagement opportunities are being planned for the wider UK this autumn. Please look out for these in our updates to you.

We are also looking for fishermen, merchants and exporters to join our research panel to help us design and implement the changes to FES. If you are interested, please sign up here. 

What are we doing

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and other UK Fisheries Authorities have been working to understand the changes and what they mean for UK fishermen, merchants and exporters. MMO has also been developing updates to FES to support exporters to provide the newly required information.

We are introducing these updates on a phased basis to enable users to become familiar with these changes ahead of January 2026. 

Please remember #FishTraceShip and get onboard with the changes.