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With just a few weeks remaining until new EU import rules on traceability come into force, businesses involved in the seafood industry are being encouraged to prepare now.
The changes come into force on 10 January 2026, and will affect anyone involved in catching, buying, processing and selling fish destined for EU markets. Without the additional information needed for the Fish Export Service (FES), it will not be possible to export fish and seafood products.
What’s Changing
From 10 January 2026, if you export seafood products that have been caught by a UK vessel and processed in the UK after landing, the consignment will require both a catch certificate for the landed weight that is being exported and a processing statement referencing that catch certificate.
Additional information will be needed to complete these documents. The government is currently updating the Fish Export Service (FES) to ensure that the IT system can provide the enhanced processing statements, catch certificates and other documentation that the EU will require.
How to prepare
The Fish, Trace, Ship campaign website contains detailed information on the new requirements and guidance on how to be ready for them.
The government is also running a series of webinars to help businesses in the seafood industry prepare for the changes. The next sessions are being held on 10 and 17 December 2025.
To register and attend, see the Fish, Trace, Ship campaign website.
A newsletter is also available for sign up here.
