CATCH certificates for fish imports
What is a catch certificate?
A catch certificate is an official document that accompanies a consignment of wild-caught fishery products and proves the fish were caught legally, in line with IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated) fishing rules.
It lets authorities trace the fish from capture through the supply chain and is required for many imports into the EU and UK. If you are importing fresh, frozen or processed fish, understanding how catch certificates, the EU CATCH system and the UK catch certificate regime work is essential to avoid border delays and compliance issues.
The EU's CATCH system
CATCH is the EU's electronic system for managing catch certificates, which are required for all wild-caught marine fish entering the EU. These certificates prove that fish have been caught legally and in line with international and EU rules on sustainable fishing.
For years this system existed in a fragmented way, with a mix of physical paperwork, national platforms and manual checks. Now all catch certificates can be uploaded to a digital system, with authorities able to see, cross-check and validate information in real time.
Exporters or competent authorities in the country of catch create the certificate, but EU importers must make sure it is accurate, complete and properly endorsed. Customs authorities then check the CATCH reference as part of the import process, comparing it against the declaration, the invoice and the goods themselves. If something does not line up, the system flags it almost immediately.
CATCH sits inside the EU's TRACES NT platform, the central system used for sanitary, phytosanitary and certain other import controls. When an importer or their representative submits a CATCH entry, they create an Importer Declaration in TRACES NT and link it to the validated catch certificate. The competent authority (in Ireland, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority) reviews the file, validates the IUU documentation and, once satisfied, the CATCH reference can be used alongside the CHED and customs declaration at the Border Control Post.
The UK catch certificate system
The UK operates its own IUU catch certificate regime for wild-caught fishery products imported into Great Britain. The principles are similar to the EU: a validated catch certificate must accompany the consignment, showing where and how the fish were caught, the vessel details, species, weights and the flag state that validated the certificate.
For GB imports, the certificate (paper or electronic) is submitted to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) or the relevant UK authority, usually at least three working days before arrival for sea freight, with shorter deadlines for air, rail and road.
How Customs Wise helps fish importers
Document review: we check the validated catch certificate (and any processing statements or storage documents) for accuracy, confirming species, weights, vessel details, flag state and validating authority.
We specialise in complex food customs and support a number of businesses importing fish and fish products from all over the world. If you are importing fresh, frozen, smoked or processed fishery products into the UK or Ireland, we can manage the full process, from document checks and pre-notifications to CATCH entries and customs clearance, so your goods move quickly and compliantly.