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Regulation & restricted items

Regulation and restricted items for seafood and aquaculture trade

Whether a product can be traded depends on the law of the country of origin, the destination and any transit country, and on the permits and documents for that specific shipment. This register lists requirements we have checked against official sources, with the date we checked them. It is not complete and it is not legal advice.

Register last checked: 22 October 2026

Short answer

Before FishMatch Group accepts an RFQ, lists a supplier or product, or makes an introduction, our team identifies the product, its origin, destination and intended use, and checks sanctions, trade bans, licences, standards, import/export approvals, labelling, safety, customs and transport limits. Items an official source shows as prohibited are blocked. Restricted or unclear items are paused until a person verifies them.

How our team screens a request

  1. Identify the product: species, wild-caught or farmed, how it is preserved (live, fresh, frozen, processed) and its use.
  2. Identify the countries: country of catch or production, origin, destination and any transit or processing country.
  3. Check sanctions and trade bans, then licences, health and veterinary certificates, food safety, traceability and legal catch, CITES or conservation rules, labelling, customs and transport limits.
  4. Record the decision — cleared, hold or prohibited — with the official sources, who checked and when.
  5. Block a prohibited item; pause a restricted or unclear item until it is verified. Only cleared requests move to supplier matching or an introduction.

Who is responsible for what

  • Suppliers are responsible for giving correct product, origin, catch or production, establishment and certificate details and documents.
  • Buyers are responsible for giving correct destination, intended use and importer details, and for obtaining their own import permits and customs clearance.
  • Our team carries out reasonable checks before an RFQ moves forward. These checks do not replace professional advice or an authority's approval.

Fish, shrimp, molluscs, caviar and sturgeon, fish feed, live aquatic animals, equipment and services are checked separately. The rules for one category do not automatically apply to another.

Filter the register

19 records

  • EU ban on crustaceans and caviar from Russia

    Prohibited

    Shrimp and crustaceans · Caviar and sturgeon · Services (brokering, financing, transport)

    Origin:
    Russia
    Destination:
    European Union

    The EU prohibits buying, importing or transferring, directly or indirectly, the goods in Annex XXI if they originate in Russia or are exported from Russia. Annex XXI lists crustaceans (CN 0306) and caviar and caviar substitutes (CN 1604 31 00, 1604 32 00). The ban also covers related technical or financial assistance and brokering services.

    Documents and approvals

    • Not tradable under this measure. Narrow exceptions exist only where an EU Member State authority grants an authorisation set out in Article 3i.

    Competent authority

    Competent authorities (customs and sanctions) of EU Member States

    Scope and limits

    Covers only the goods listed in Annex XXI. Other Russian-origin seafood may be covered by other EU measures — check before acting.

    Official sources

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 November 2026

  • US ban on seafood of Russian Federation origin

    Prohibited

    Fish · Shrimp and crustaceans · Molluscs · Caviar and sturgeon

    Origin:
    Russia
    Destination:
    United States

    Under Executive Order 14068, importing fish, seafood and preparations thereof of Russian Federation origin into the United States is prohibited, including caviar and crab products (OFAC FAQ 1022).

    Documents and approvals

    • Not tradable under this measure unless OFAC authorises it.

    Competent authority

    US Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC); US Customs and Border Protection

    Scope and limits

    Also check the OFAC lists of sanctioned persons and companies.

    Official sources

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 November 2026

  • US ban on Russian-harvested salmon, cod, pollock and crab processed in other countries

    Prohibited

    Fish · Shrimp and crustaceans

    Origin:
    Russia, Any country
    Destination:
    United States

    OFAC's Seafood Determination prohibits importing into the US salmon, cod, pollock or crab harvested in Russian waters or by Russia-flagged vessels, even if the product was substantially transformed in a third country (OFAC FAQ 1155).

    Documents and approvals

    • Not tradable under this measure. Buyers should be able to show where and by which vessel the raw material was harvested.

    Competent authority

    US Treasury, OFAC; US Customs and Border Protection

    Scope and limits

    Applies to the species named in the determination. Processing location does not change where the fish was harvested.

    Official sources

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 November 2026

  • US Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP)

    Licence or approval required

    Fish · Shrimp and crustaceans · Molluscs

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    United States

    For listed priority species, the US importer must hold an International Fisheries Trade Permit, report harvest and landing data when the product enters the US, and keep supply-chain records that NOAA can audit, so imports can be traced to a legal source. Listed species include shrimp, abalone, Atlantic cod, blue crab, dolphinfish, grouper, king crab, Pacific cod, red snapper, sea cucumber, sharks, swordfish and tunas.

    Documents and approvals

    • International Fisheries Trade Permit (IFTP) held by the US importer
    • Harvest and landing data reported at entry
    • Supply-chain (chain-of-custody) records kept by the importer for audit

    Competent authority

    NOAA Fisheries; US Customs and Border Protection

    Scope and limits

    Check NOAA's current species list and data rules for your exact product before shipment.

    Official sources

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 January 2027

  • US FDA seafood HACCP — importer verification

    Restricted — conditions apply

    Fish · Shrimp and crustaceans · Molluscs · Caviar and sturgeon

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    United States

    Every importer of fish or fishery products into the US must either import from a country with an active FDA equivalence or compliance agreement, or keep written verification procedures showing the product was processed under the US seafood HACCP rules (21 CFR part 123).

    Documents and approvals

    • Product specifications designed to ensure the product is not adulterated
    • At least one affirmative step, such as the foreign processor's HACCP and sanitation records, a continuing or lot-by-lot certificate from an authority or third party, regular inspection of the foreign processor, or lot testing
    • Records in English

    Competent authority

    US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

    Scope and limits

    Other US rules (labelling, country-of-origin, species-specific rules) may also apply.

    Official sources

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 January 2027

  • EU catch certificate for wild-caught fishery products (IUU Regulation)

    Restricted — conditions apply

    Fish · Shrimp and crustaceans · Molluscs

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    European Union

    Wild-caught fishery products can enter the EU only with a catch certificate validated by the flag state of the catching vessel, showing the catch was legal. Since 10 January 2026 EU importers must use the CATCH digital system. Products from aquaculture raised from fry or larvae, freshwater fishery products and ornamental fish are among the products listed in Annex I as outside this scheme.

    Documents and approvals

    • Catch certificate validated by the flag state
    • Submission through the EU CATCH system by the importer
    • Processing statement where the product was processed in a third country

    Competent authority

    Flag-state authority of the vessel; competent authority of the EU Member State of import

    Scope and limits

    Farmed products may fall outside the catch certificate but still need health certificates and listed establishments.

    Official sources

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 January 2027

  • EU import ban from countries identified as non-cooperating on illegal fishing

    Prohibited

    Fish · Shrimp and crustaceans · Molluscs

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    European Union

    When the EU lists a country as non-cooperating in the fight against illegal fishing (a 'red card'), fishery products caught by that country's vessels are banned from the EU market. The European Commission also issues warnings ('yellow cards') before listing.

    Documents and approvals

    • Not tradable while the country is listed. Check the European Commission's current list before any EU transaction.

    Competent authority

    European Commission, DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries; Council of the EU

    Scope and limits

    The list changes. We do not repeat the country list here — check the current official list.

    Official sources

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 January 2027

  • EU border control for products of animal origin (CHED-P in TRACES)

    Restricted — conditions apply

    Fish · Shrimp and crustaceans · Molluscs · Caviar and sturgeon

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    European Union

    Consignments of fishery products and other products of animal origin entering the EU are declared in advance with a Common Health Entry Document for products (CHED-P) in TRACES and checked at a border control post.

    Documents and approvals

    • CHED-P submitted in TRACES before arrival
    • Official health certificate from the exporting country's competent authority
    • Entry through an EU border control post approved for the product

    Competent authority

    EU border control posts; European Commission, DG SANTE

    Scope and limits

    Certificate models depend on the product and country.

    Official sources

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 January 2027

  • EU listing of exporting countries and establishments for fishery products

    Licence or approval required

    Fish · Shrimp and crustaceans · Molluscs · Caviar and sturgeon

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    European Union

    Fishery products can be exported to the EU only from approved countries and from establishments and vessels listed for export to the EU, and they must meet EU hygiene rules for fishery products (Regulation 853/2004, Annex III, Section VIII).

    Documents and approvals

    • Exporting country authorised for the product
    • Establishment or vessel appearing on the EU list of authorised establishments
    • Official health certificate

    Competent authority

    European Commission, DG SANTE; competent authority of the exporting country

    Scope and limits

    Check the current establishment list for the exact producer.

    Official sources

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 January 2027

  • Saudi Arabia: SFDA import permit for fish and aquatic products of animal origin

    Licence or approval required

    Fish · Shrimp and crustaceans · Molluscs · Caviar and sturgeon

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    Saudi Arabia

    The Saudi Food and Drug Authority issues import permits for fish and aquatic products of animal origin. Its guide describes registering the importer and applying for an import permit before shipment.

    Documents and approvals

    • Importer registration with SFDA
    • SFDA import permit before shipment
    • Health certificate and other documents the permit requires

    Competent authority

    Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)

    Scope and limits

    Check SFDA's current requirements and the exporting country's status for the product.

    Official sources

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 January 2027

  • Live aquatic animals: eggs, larvae, post-larvae, fingerlings and broodstock

    Case-by-case check required

    Live aquatic animals (eggs, larvae, fingerlings)

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    Any country

    Live aquatic animals are checked separately from food products. Importing countries usually require an official health certificate, an import permit and sometimes quarantine, based on diseases listed by WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health). WOAH publishes model health certificates; each country sets its own conditions.

    Documents and approvals

    • Import permit from the destination's veterinary authority (where required)
    • Official health certificate from the exporting country's competent authority
    • Disease freedom or testing evidence as the importing country requires
    • Quarantine on arrival where required

    Competent authority

    Veterinary or aquatic animal health authority of the importing country; competent authority of the exporting country

    Scope and limits

    Conditions differ by species, life stage, origin and destination. Case-by-case check required.

    Official sources

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 January 2027

  • Aquaculture machinery placed on the EU market

    Case-by-case check required

    Aquaculture equipment

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    European Union

    Machinery placed on the EU market must meet EU safety rules. The new Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 generally applies from 20 January 2027 and sets requirements for conformity assessment, technical documentation, instructions and CE marking.

    Documents and approvals

    • EU declaration of conformity
    • CE marking
    • Technical documentation and instructions

    Competent authority

    Market surveillance authorities of EU Member States

    Scope and limits

    Electrical, pressure, radio and other EU rules may also apply. Case-by-case check required.

    Official sources

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 January 2027

  • Sanctions screening of parties, vessels and countries

    Case-by-case check required

    Fish · Shrimp and crustaceans · Molluscs · Caviar and sturgeon · Fish feed and fishmeal · Live aquatic animals (eggs, larvae, fingerlings) · Aquaculture equipment · Services (brokering, financing, transport)

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    Any country

    Every request is screened against official sanctions lists for the buyer, supplier, vessel and countries involved — including for services such as brokering, financing and transport. A match blocks the request until it is resolved.

    Documents and approvals

    • Full legal names of the companies and owners involved
    • Vessel names and identifiers where relevant

    Competent authority

    US OFAC; UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation and the FCDO; competent authorities of EU Member States

    Scope and limits

    Other countries publish their own lists. A clear search result is not legal clearance.

    Official sources

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 November 2026

  • Sturgeon, caviar and other CITES-listed species

    Regulatory review required before publication or a transaction

    Caviar and sturgeon · Live aquatic animals (eggs, larvae, fingerlings)

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    Any country

    International trade in species listed by CITES needs CITES permits or certificates. All sturgeon and paddlefish species are understood to be CITES-listed, but we could not complete our check of the current CITES appendices on 22 October 2026. Regulatory review is required before publication or a transaction.

    Documents and approvals

    • CITES export permit or re-export certificate, and an import permit where required — confirm with the CITES Management Authorities

    Competent authority

    CITES Management Authorities of the exporting and importing countries

    Scope and limits

    Not verified as current fact. Human review required.

    Official sources

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 November 2026

  • Live bivalve molluscs into the EU

    Regulatory review required before publication or a transaction

    Molluscs

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    European Union

    Live oysters, mussels, clams and scallops have specific EU rules for production areas and health. We have not yet verified the current official text for this register.

    Documents and approvals

    • Regulatory review required before publication or a transaction

    Competent authority

    European Commission, DG SANTE; competent authority of the exporting country

    Scope and limits

    Not verified. Human review required.

    Official sources

    No current official source verified yet. Treat as unknown until a person verifies it.

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 November 2026

  • Fish feed and fishmeal into the EU

    Regulatory review required before publication or a transaction

    Fish feed and fishmeal

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    European Union

    Feed and fishmeal follow feed and animal by-product rules that differ from rules for food. We have not yet verified the current official text for this register.

    Documents and approvals

    • Regulatory review required before publication or a transaction

    Competent authority

    European Commission, DG SANTE; competent authorities of EU Member States

    Scope and limits

    Not verified. Human review required.

    Official sources

    No current official source verified yet. Treat as unknown until a person verifies it.

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 November 2026

  • Israel: imports of fish, seafood, live aquatic animals and feed

    Regulatory review required before publication or a transaction

    Fish · Shrimp and crustaceans · Molluscs · Caviar and sturgeon · Live aquatic animals (eggs, larvae, fingerlings) · Fish feed and fishmeal

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    Israel

    Imports into Israel need approvals from the relevant Israeli authorities. We could not verify the current official requirements for this register.

    Documents and approvals

    • Regulatory review required before publication or a transaction

    Competent authority

    Israeli Veterinary Services and Animal Health (Ministry of Agriculture) and the Ministry of Health National Food Service — confirm

    Scope and limits

    Not verified. Human review required.

    Official sources

    No current official source verified yet. Treat as unknown until a person verifies it.

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 November 2026

  • United Arab Emirates: imports of fish, seafood and live aquatic animals

    Regulatory review required before publication or a transaction

    Fish · Shrimp and crustaceans · Molluscs · Caviar and sturgeon · Live aquatic animals (eggs, larvae, fingerlings)

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    United Arab Emirates

    Imports into the UAE need approvals from federal and emirate-level authorities. We could not verify the current official requirements for this register.

    Documents and approvals

    • Regulatory review required before publication or a transaction

    Competent authority

    UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and emirate food authorities — confirm

    Scope and limits

    Not verified. Human review required.

    Official sources

    No current official source verified yet. Treat as unknown until a person verifies it.

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 November 2026

  • China: imports of fishery and aquatic products

    Regulatory review required before publication or a transaction

    Fish · Shrimp and crustaceans · Molluscs · Caviar and sturgeon

    Origin:
    Any country
    Destination:
    China

    China requires registration of overseas food producers and other import conditions for aquatic products. We could not verify the current official requirements for this register.

    Documents and approvals

    • Regulatory review required before publication or a transaction

    Competent authority

    General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) — confirm

    Scope and limits

    Not verified. Human review required.

    Official sources

    No current official source verified yet. Treat as unknown until a person verifies it.

    Checked by FishMatch: 22 October 2026 · Next review: 22 November 2026

Report incorrect or outdated information

If a rule here is wrong, outdated or missing, tell us with a link to the official source. We review reports and update the register; we do not publish a change until it is verified.

Report a correction

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Short answer

What is the fastest way to get quotes for Regulation And Restricted Items?

Submit one structured request for Regulation And Restricted Items. FishMatch Group translates it into a technical RFQ, runs a confidential sourcing round with project-matched international suppliers, and returns comparable quotations. No fee is charged to the buyer, and your identity and project details stay private until you choose to proceed.

How it works:
One structured request, human-reviewed before any supplier outreach
Typical turnaround:
Depends on scope and site data; no turnaround is guaranteed
Confidentiality:
Supplier names are never exposed during evaluation
Cost to buyers:
No fee charged to the buyer
What is the fastest way to get quotes for Regulation And Restricted Items?

Submit one structured request for Regulation And Restricted Items. FishMatch Group translates it into a technical RFQ, runs a confidential sourcing round with project-matched international suppliers, and returns comparable quotations. No fee is charged to the buyer, and your identity and project details stay private until you choose to proceed.

How does FishMatch Group source suppliers for this requirement?

You submit one structured request. We translate it into a technical RFQ, run it against qualified manufacturers and integrators in the relevant categories, and return normalised quotations you can compare side by side on scope, lead time and total cost of ownership.

Do buyers see supplier names during the sourcing process?

No. Supplier identities stay confidential during discovery and evaluation. You receive anonymised, comparable technical and commercial packages, and introductions happen only after both sides are qualified and agree to proceed.