About
What you should do
How long does it take
How much does it cost
Forms to complete
Who to contact
About exporting fish on a commercial basis
To export fish, such as marine fish, for profit you must apply for a permit from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.
If you are applying for export permits for bigeye tuna, southern bluefin tuna, swordfish, Antarctic toothfish, and Patagonian toothfish, you must attach the relevant catch statistical document for each consignment. Catch statistical documents are available from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Branch: Fisheries Management.
Note: This export permit expires after three months and it excludes freshwater fish. You must apply for a new permit once it has expired. Failure to adhere to permit conditions may result in suspension or cancellation of the permit.
For the exportation of species listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) you must contact the Department of Environmental Affairs.
What you should do
- Inform your nearest branch of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) about your export consignment if the fish you intend to export is not fresh and not for human consumption.
- If the fish is fresh and for human consumption, you must inform the Port Health.
- Get the Application for a permit to export fish form at the Branch: Fisheries Management.
- Complete the application forms with the following information:
- physical addresses of importers in the destination country
- the common and scientific names of the species being exported
- quantities of species being exported
- copies of catch statistical documents for all bigeye tuna, southern bluefin tuna, swordfish, Antarctic toothfish, and Patagonian toothfish exported under a previous export permit
- your identity document (ID) and registration documents for your company, close corporation or trust
- valid export permits from the Department of Trade and Industry or International Trade Administration Commission permit notifications
- tax clearance certificate from the South African Revenue Service.
- Where an agent is involved, an agreement between two parties must be attached together with copies of the signatories’ identity documents.
- If you do not have a fishing right permit, you must also submit the following:
- proof of supply and the physical addresses of the suppliers of the marine fish being exported
- common and scientific names of the species being exported
- quantities of species being exported.
- Pay the prescribed fee in the following account:
Bank: First National Bank
Account number: 62123256382
Account type: Current
Account name: Marine Living Resources Fund
Branch name: Corporate Account Service Cape Town
Branch code: 204109
For a reference call the customer service centre at 021 402 3911 / 0860 000 3474 - Submit the application forms to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Private Bag X2, Roggebaai, Cape Town, 8012 . Post or submit the original applications; failing which you will not be issued with the permit.
How long does it take
It may take seven working days or more, subject to proper lodging of the application and confirmation of payment.
Forms to complete
Get the Application for a permit to export fish form from the Branch: Fisheries Management.
- Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Branch: Fisheries Management.
Tel: 086 111 2468
callcentre@environment.gov.za - Port Health
- South African Bureau of Standards
