How to export mackerel from the UK to China

Which route applies to these fish?

Mackerel, herring and pelagic fish fall within the aquatic-products recommendation route; confirm the commodity coverage in GACC's registration system. The manufacturer needs registration for its plant, while the overseas exporter and Chinese importer have separate filing obligations. These fish are not listed in the cross-border e-commerce retail import list, so do not build the export plan around that route. For salmonids, see our guide to exporting UK salmon and trout to China.

HMRC recorded £11.5m of UK goods exports to mainland China under HS 030243, 030244, 030351, 030353, 030354, 030359 in 2025 (2024: £5.4m, +114%). January to July 2026: £2.3m against £8.8m in the same months of 2025 (-73.4%).

The largest UK export line was 03035410, frozen mackerel, at £11.5m. That is the value under the HS line, rather than sales attributable to an individual producer.

Prepare the manufacturer's approval application

Under GACC Decree 280, the manufacturer applies itself or through an agent and must obtain its country's competent-authority recommendation, supported by a plant audit report and recommendation letter. Approval takes months, not weeks, and GACC decides. The manufacturer must prepare its own application and make its plant available for the authority's audit; a buyer's interest does not replace these steps.

The Chinese importer must establish whether an entry animal and plant quarantine permit is required for the consignment. Where required, it must obtain the permit before signing the trade contract. Keep this decision separate from the manufacturer's registration, and have the importer enter the manufacturer's registration number correctly on the customs declaration.

Price against the Chinese tariff lines

The listed Chinese tariff lines have an MFN rate of 7%. Frozen herring under 03035100 also has a provisional 2026 rate of 5%. In that row, the table shows the MFN rate followed by the provisional rate. Duty and import VAT add to landed cost and therefore shape the price the importer can offer.

The VAT Law sets a standard import rate of 13% and a 9% rate for agricultural products, among other listed goods. Have the importer's customs broker confirm the applicable treatment for these fish and whether consumption tax applies. Import VAT is calculated on the customs value plus customs duty plus any applicable consumption tax, multiplied by the applicable VAT rate.

Prepare aquatic-product markings and labels

For imported aquatic products, prepare markings showing the product and scientific names, specification, production date, batch, shelf life, storage conditions, production method and production area. Include the name, registration number and address of every producing and processing business, and state that the destination is the PRC. Build the artwork around the actual fish and processing chain.

Imported prepackaged fish must carry a compliant Chinese label identifying the place of origin and the domestic agent's name, address and contact details. The manufacturer's China registration number, or its home-authority-approved number, must appear on the packaging. Include GB 2733-2015, the standard for fresh and frozen animal aquatic products, in the product compliance review.

Arrange the UK declaration and fish certificate

Classify the fish before exporting. For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, arrange a GB EORI and an export declaration with the commodity code, value, weight, packaging, destination, transport, and invoice and packing-list references. Certificate 7208 covers fish and seafood products for human consumption exported to China; check its guidance notes for plant, product and ingredient limits. The carrier needs the invoice and applicable certificates. For shellfish, see our guide to exporting UK scallops to China.

Find and check the Chinese importer

Check the prospective importer's customs filing, its proposed tariff classification, its handling of any required quarantine permit and its arrangements for the declaration and Chinese artwork. Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached you, our staff in China check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed.

For these fish, our help is limited to preparation, finding and checking a Chinese importer, and coordinating licensed partners. We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China; the importer of record stays with those partners, and the brand's own filings stay the brand's. Use our export-to-China service for this preparation.