How to export salmon and trout from the UK to China

Start with the fish's form and the manufacturer's eligibility

Salmon and trout take the aquatic-products route: the UK manufacturer needs GACC registration and a competent-authority recommendation. Confirm the product category in GACC's registration system; match the species and whether it is live, chilled, frozen, filleted or smoked to the tariff line before pricing. These HS lines are absent from the cross-border e-commerce retail import list.

UK exports under HS 0301-0305 (10 subheadings): HMRC recorded £97.4m of UK goods exports to mainland China under 10 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £84.6m, +15.1%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £2.1m.

For UK exports under HS 0301-0305 (10 subheadings), January to July 2026: £37.8m against £83.4m in the same months of 2025 (-54.7%). The largest UK export line to mainland China was 03021400, fresh or chilled Atlantic and Danube salmon, at £97.0m in 2025.

The manufacturer owns the registration application

The manufacturer must apply itself or through an agent and obtain a plant audit, audit report and recommendation letter from the UK competent authority. GACC Decree 280 governs registration. The process takes months, not weeks, and the Chinese authority decides. Your business must organise its application and recommendation rather than treat registration as something an importer can buy for you.

The exporter or agent files with GACC; the Chinese food importer files with its local customs office. Where entry animal and plant quarantine approval is required, the importer must obtain the permit before signing the trade contract. The overseas manufacturer's registration number must also be entered correctly on the import declaration.

Price against the exact Chinese tariff line

These fish fall across the Chinese tariff lines below. The provisional rates for 2026 are 7% for 03021410 and 5% for 03031310; do not price every salmon shipment at one rate. Duty and import VAT add to landed cost and affect the price your importer can offer.

Import VAT is 13% except for goods in the 9% list or other special rules; agricultural products are on the 9% list. Have your importer's customs broker confirm the fish product's VAT treatment and whether consumption tax applies. Import VAT uses customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax, multiplied by the applicable rate.

Prepare fish-specific markings and Chinese labels

For these fish, prepare markings showing the commercial and scientific names, specification, production date, batch, shelf life, storage conditions, production method, production area, and every producing and processing business's name, registration number and address. Production method must distinguish sea catch, freshwater catch or farmed fish; the markings must state that the destination is the PRC.

Prepackaged fish need a compliant Chinese label naming the origin and the domestic agent's name, address and contact details. Check fresh and frozen products against GB 2733-2015, the standard for fresh and frozen animal aquatic products. The registered manufacturer's China registration number, or its home-authority-approved number, must appear on the packaging.

Arrange the UK declaration and health certificate

Classify the fish under the correct UK commodity code. Exports from England, Wales or Scotland need a GB EORI number and an online export declaration. Prepare the value, weight, packaging, destination, transport details, invoice and packing list references; the carrier needs the invoice and any required export licences or certificates.

For fish and seafood products for human consumption, GOV.UK lists active export health certificate 7208 for China. Check its guidance notes for plant, product and ingredient limits before committing stock. Confirm the certificate's scope for your exact product with the relevant authority.

Find and check the Chinese importer before committing stock

Ask a prospective importer how it will handle its food-importer filing, any required quarantine permit and the manufacturer's registration number at declaration. 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 through our export-to-China service. We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The importer of record stays with licensed partners in China; the manufacturer's application and the brand's own filings stay theirs.