Direct landing of fish to the EU from 1 January 2021

About direct landing

To direct land fish you have caught you'll need to submit the relevant documents to the EU Competent Authority. These include:

• a Catch Certificate on GOV.UK
  
• Prior Notification on GOV.UK
  
• Pre-Landing Declaration on GOV.UK
  
• NEAFC PSC1 Form on the NEAFC website
  

To be considered a direct landing, any catch must:

• not leave the vessel it was caught on at any point, including for previous landings, storage or transfers 
• be taken directly to the EU

Catches can be landed into Carteret and Granville, which are now North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) designated ports.

St Malo is a Border Control Post (BCP) which processes exports. It is not a designated landing port so you cannot direct land your catch here. 

Crustaceans and Fin Fish

Direct landings of live Crustaceans and Fin Fish that have not undergone secondary processing (such as gutting or freezing for example) are permitted as these species are exempt from SPS requirements.

Whelks

French authorities require a Catch Certificate for Whelks under French Regulations even though the EU IUU Regulation does not require one because they are an exempt species. Therefore, if you land Whelks in France, you should submit a Catch Certificate along with your other catch documents. If you're landing whelks you'll need to complete an Exempt Prior Notification Form (instead of a Prior Notification Form). If you're landing a mixture of whelks and other species, you'll still need to complete the standard Prior Notification Form.

Live Bivalve Molluscs (scallops and clams)

You can’t land Live Bivalve Molluscs (scallops and clams) into the EU as these require health certification under the EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Regulations. These species will need to be exported with the correct export health certificate.

Find more information on exporting fish to the EU from 1 January 2021

Live Aquatic Animals

If you're exporting Live Aquatic Animals (Aquaculture and Ornamental) there's a different process. For more information email Enviornmental Health and email Animal Health. 

What you need to do

Information changes constantly. Visit this webpage for the latest information and our step by step guide for direct landing to France 2021 of primary product for individual and business. If you would like the guide in a different format email fisheries.

Step 1: Register 

Apply be email to Environmental Health Department to register and become an ‘Approved’ food business.

Step 2: Catch Certificate 

• register on Fish Export Service on GOV.UK
  
• watch Creating a Catch Certificate video on Youtube for more information
• send the completed catch certificate by email to Centre National des Ponts de Secours at least 3 hours prior to landing in France

Step 3: Prior Notification (PNO)

• complete the Prior Notification Form. If your vessel is over 12 metres long you should also complete a PNO on your electronic logbook (elog). Make sure the elog data matches your PDF PNO.
  
• sign and send the completed Prior Notification Form by email to Centre National des Ponts de Secours at least 3 hours prior to landing in France
  

• it's important that if you're landing only 1 exempt species (for example whelks) you need to complete an Exempt Prior Notification Form (instead of a Prior Notification Form)
  

Step 4: Pre-Landing Declaration 

• complete the Pre-Landing Declaration Form 
  

• sign and send the completed catch certificate by email to Centre National des Ponts de Secours at least 3 hours prior to landing in France
  

Step 5: NEAFC Form 

• register on NEAFC
• complete Port State Control (PSC) 1 Form at least 4 hours prior to landing in France
  
• for guidance see:
  
• guidance for completing the PSC1 form
• general PSC guides
• video guidance for completing the PSC1 form
• the UK FMC have to verify your PSC 1 form and complete Part B
  

If Part B has been verified, they will forward on to French Authorities who will complete Part C of the PSC1 which is your authorisation to land.

Step 6: Customs

• up to date information can be found on trading with the EU
  
• Jersey Customs Agents may be able to answer specific customs related questions,email Customs or call+44 (0) 1534 448000.
• we strongly recommend that you ask your buyer in France to check the requirements with the French Authorities.
  

Step 7: Inspection 

• French Authorities must receive and approve your IUU and NEAFC documentation within the required time period by email, you should not attempt to land without approval
  
• you may be inspected by the French Authorities on landing to check that your declaration matches the landing and so may wish to inspect your fishing logbook
  
• send copies of all landing documentation (IUU and NEAFC) by email to Marine Resources
  

Help and support

French Authorities

Any issues with verification of documents or receiving approval to land, contact: 

• Fisheries Control Station: Email Centre National des Ponts de Secours or call +33 297 293 427
  
• Brexit Unit Control Station: Email Centre National des Ponts de Secours or call +33 290 743 265 

UK Fish Export Service

Any issues regarding IUU documentation, call the 24/7 helpline on 03301 591 989.

UK FMC (Fisheries Monitoring Centre)

Any issues regarding NEAFC PSC1 Form, email UKFMC@gov.scot or call 01312 442 286.

NEAFC

Any issues regarding NEAFC PSC1 Form, email psc@nefac.org or call 02076 310 016.

Jersey Marine Resources 

For further guidance or support email fisheries or call +44 (0) 1534 441 600.