Opportunities and Benefits of CETA for Canada’s Fish and Seafood Exporters

Why export to the EU?

• The world’s largest importer of fish and seafood products - $36.2 billion in 2016.
• Accounts for 27% of the world’s total fish and seafood imports.
• Imports account for 52.5% of total EU fish and seafood consumption.
• Per capita average annual consumption of 25.5 kg (2014).
• Room for Canadian fish and seafood exports levels of $555 million (2016) to increase with CETA.

How does CETA benefit Canadian fish and seafood exporters?

• Under CETA, almost 96% of EU tariff lines for fish and seafood products have become duty-free.  100% of these tariff lines will be duty-free after seven years.
• Before CETA, EU tariffs for fish and seafood averaged 11%, and could be as high as 25%.

CETA rules of origin matter

• To be eligible for preferential tariff treatment in the EU, fish and seafood products under HS Chapters 3 and 16 require that products be wholly obtained.  This means, for Canada:
• Caught by Canadians fishing in Canadian waters, or
• Caught in the Canadian/European Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZs), in the high seas or in the EEZs of other countries by licensed Canadians using registered vessels that are entitled to fly the Canadian flag.
• Limited quantities of certain fish and seafood products processed in Canada using imported materials (from countries other than the EU) can qualify for preferential treatment in the EU for:
• Certain frozen fillets of halibut;
• Processed lobster;
• Prepared or preserved salmon;
• Processed herring;
• Processed shrimp; and
• Some types of prepared or preserved sardines and crab.

Other non-CETA related aspects to keep in mind when exporting fish and seafood products to the EU

• Fish and seafood exported to the EU must come from an approved establishment
• Catch certificate, issued by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, is required to demonstrate the product has been caught legally
• Labelling – new EU regulation came into force December 2014
• Health certificate from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency must accompany shipments
• Maximum Residue Levels (for example, cadmium in oysters), must be respected as per EU requirements

Source: Eurostat (2016)

Under CETA, Canadian fish and seafood exporters can now enjoy the advantages created from the agreement over competitors based in countries that do not have a preferential trade agreement in force with the EU.

For more detail on how CETA benefits your company, contact a Trade Commissioner today.