IUU Fishing Regulation
Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008
This new EC regulation came into force on 1st January 2010 and contains some important new rules concerning imports and exports of fish and fish products to and from the EU.
For a breakdown of the main requirements of the Regulation and how it is being implemented in the UK please look at:
- Information note 1 (July 2009) (PDF)
- Information Note 2 (December 2009) (PDF).
The European Commission have produced some key documents that are useful for interpreting the requirements of the Regulation. These are:
- Handbook (PDF) on the practical application of the IUU Regulation
- Addendum to handbook (PDF)
- List of approved third countries (PDF)
- EU IUU Vessel List (EU 468/2010) (PDF)
Importers
Weights and Product Codes on Catch Certificates
Please read our guidance note (PDF) for clarification regarding weights and CN Codes on catch certificates.
Commission guidance on weights and product codes
Guidance on imports of wild pacific salmon
Submission of multiple catch certificates
If you are submitting multiple catch certificates for a consignment you may use the Multiple Certificate Summary Document (PDF). This is explained further in paragraph 9 of Information Note 2.
Customs formalities
HMRC have published two Customs Information Papers (CIP) that detail the procedure to follow for Customs clearance in the UK.
- Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Regulation Customs formalities CIP (09) 86 ( December 2009)
- Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Regulation Customs formalities CIP (10) 20 (February 2010)
Exporters
In addition to Information Note 2 the following documents will be important for Exporters:
- UK Catch Certificate and Multiple vessel schedule (Microsoft Excel 519KB)
- Guidance note (PDF) for completing a UK catch certificate – please read Information Note 2 for details of when a UK catch certificate is required.
- UK Vessel List (for vessel name, PLN and licence numbers)
- List of third countries requesting EU catch certificates (PDF)
- Commission guidance note on intra-EU trade
Approved Economic Operator (APEO)
This scheme opened on 1st April 2010 and applications are processed by HMRC. The scheme offers eligible importers simplified import procedures relating to the submission of catch certificates as well as other benefits.
There are some minimum requirements for eligibility including the requirement to hold Customs Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and to have minimum import operations of 50 consignments per annum. For more information read our guidance note (PDF).
To find out more about the scheme and whether it will be in your interests to apply, full details and an application form can be found on the HMRC website.
Contact us
Email: IUU@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Further Information
Further useful information is provided on the EU Commission’s IUU webpage.
There are additional Regulations supplementing the original, these include:
- Implementing regulation: Council regulation (EC) No 1010/2009
- Commission regulation (EU) No 86/2010 of 29 January 2010 amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 202/2011 of 1 March 2011 amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 as regards the definition of fishery products and amending Regulation (EC) No 1010/2009 as regards prior notification templates, benchmarks for port inspections and recognised catch documentation schemes adopted by regional fisheries management organisations
- Commission regulation (EU) No 395/2010 amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 1010/2009 as regards administrative arrangements on catch certificates
- Commission Regulation 468/2010 Establishing an EU IUU Vessel List