Sourcing frozen fish fillets from China
Frozen cod and haddock fillets processed in China pay 6% UK duty and Alaska pollock 12%, with no anti-dumping duty. They need an approved plant, a health certificate, an IPAFFS notification and entry through a border control post, plus a flag-state catch certificate and a Chinese processing statement. Cambridge China Bridge sources frozen fish fillets with the paperwork planned.
Frozen cod and haddock fillets pay 6% UK duty from China, Alaska pollock 12%. Catch certificates, processing statements, IPAFFS and a border control post apply.
Duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, frozen fillets of Atlantic cod and of haddock carried 6% duty on goods from China, and frozen Alaska pollock fillets 12%, with no anti-dumping measure. The same codes carry a veterinary control and an illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing control, which is where most of the work lies.
Much of the whitefish processed in China is caught by vessels of other flags and filleted in Chinese plants, which is why the catch and processing documents matter as much as the duty. Confirm the commodity code by species and presentation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen fillets of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), other than for processing | 0304 71 90 30 | 6% | None |
| Frozen fillets of haddock | 0304 72 00 00 | 6% | None |
| Frozen fillets of Alaska pollock, other than for processing | 0304 75 00 90 | 12% | None |
Catch certificates and processing statements
GOV.UK sets out the documents for fish from a non-EU country: a validated catch certificate from the competent authority of the country where the fishing vessel is registered or licensed; where the fish was processed in another country, a processing statement endorsed by the competent authority there; and proof of storage if it was stored in a third country. For fish filleted in China from a foreign-flagged catch, that means the flag state's catch certificate and a Chinese processing statement linking the product to it.
The documents go to the port health authority in advance, 72 hours for sea imports, and are uploaded with an import notification in IPAFFS. Missing or mismatched documents stop the consignment, so collect and check them before the container sails.
Approved plants, health certificates and the border
Products of animal origin can come only from countries approved for the commodity, and from approved establishments, accompanied by the model health certificate. The import must be notified in IPAFFS at least one working day before arrival and enter through a border control post designated for the commodity, where documentary, identity and physical checks are made and charged for.
Ask the factory for its approval number for Great Britain, check it before the order, and make sure the health certificate is issued for the consignment. Frozen fish also needs a cold chain the checks can rely on, so agree the storage and loading temperature and record it at the container loading.
Specification and quality
Fillets are bought on species, size grade, glaze percentage, bones per kilo and pack. Glaze, the ice coating, is where weight is lost, so specify the net weight after glaze and check it on samples at inspection, along with bones, colour and freezer burn.
Cambridge China Bridge sources frozen fish fillets from approved plants, with the catch certificates, processing statements, health certificates and cold chain arranged before shipment. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on frozen cod fillets from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, frozen Atlantic cod and haddock fillets carried 6% duty from China, and Alaska pollock fillets 12%, with no anti-dumping duty.
What documents does fish processed in China need?
A catch certificate validated by the flag state of the fishing vessel, a processing statement endorsed in China, proof of storage if stored in a third country, and the health certificate.
How far ahead must fish imports be notified?
IUU documents go to the port health authority 72 hours in advance for sea imports, with an IPAFFS notification; animal product notifications are due at least one working day before arrival.
What is glaze and why does it matter?
The ice coating on frozen fillets. Specify the net weight after glaze and check it on samples, because glaze is where weight is lost.