| Definition |
Frozen fish, fillets of fish, other fish meat (whether or not minced), crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates.
For products in individual packs see specific card for ‘Retail Sale Packages’ |
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| Recommended minimum quantity for each sample |
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| EN/ISO standards and regulations specific to fish, frozen |
- Council Regulation (EC) No 1379/2013 on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products
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Legislation (technical standards or specifications): please refer to your national legislation and national guidelines regarding sampling.
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| Suggested sampling tool depending on the method used |
- General tools: knife, (stainless steel) axe, scissors, etc.
- Pencil.
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| Containers to be used for the sampling |
- Plastic bags, different design and sizes (P00)
- Plastic foil
- Insulation boxes – containers with polystyrene foam
- Thermo – insulation boxes or bags for transportation
- Mobile freezers or refrigerators
- Cooling chain indicators (temperature data loggers)
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| Safety precautions and risk assessment |
Please refer to your national legislation and guidelines on health and safety.
Personal protection:
- Protective/disposable gloves.
- Protective clothes (freezer suits).
- Always wash your hands before and after handling any products.
- During the sampling, microbiological or other contamination of the sample must be avoided.
- Frozen fish could still retain living micro-organisms. Always take hygienic measures to avoid contamination.
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| Type of consignment |
Description |
| Frozen fish, fillets of fish, other fish meat, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates of HS 0303, 0304, 0306, 0307, 0308 in carton/package |
1 carton or package of at least 1 kg is taken as representing all the goods covered by the same customs declaration
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| Frozen fish, fillets of fish, interleaved fillets, IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) – fillets |
Where pieces of fish are packed together interleaved with paper or plastic and they can be separated one or more pieces, an original and reserve samples must be taken of at least 1 kg each. Where individual pieces weight more than 1 kg take one piece as original and one or more as reserve samples.
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| Whole fish |
Whole fish should be taken as samples and should not be cut or subdivided.
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| Sampling procedure |
- Each sample should be taken from that part of the consignment presenting the highest risk e.g. having noticeable heterogeneous parts.
- You should not cut the fish unless unavoidable. Always try to take intact whole pieces/packages/cartons.
- Where the weight of an individual sample exceeds 25 kg take precautions to ensure safety e.g. use two people to lift the sample.
- If the original packing is insufficient to guarantee intact storage and transport, use a plastic bag or foil to pack.
- Keep the sample frozen. The temperature of the cooling chain should be recorded.
- If it is impossible to follow the guidance or if the declarant does not agree, record the procedures used and the reasons on the Sampling Form.
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| Sampling form |
- Fill in the sample form. One copy should be attached to the samples and one copy should be kept for record.
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| Transport |
- Keep the sample frozen at -18 °C or lower. The temperature of the cooling chain should be recorded.
- Protect the samples from sources of contamination (odour, liquids, etc.) or elements which may damage the package.
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| Storage |
- Keep the sample frozen at -18 °C or lower. The temperature of the storage should be monitored regularly and recorded.
- Protect the samples from sources of contamination (odour, liquids, etc.) and contact with other substances.
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