At a glance
- Incoterms
- CFR, CIF, FOB
India's frozen fish export trade
India exported US$622.6 mn of frozen fish in FY2024-25 according to mpeda.gov.in.
Largest destinations by value share: unavailable
Export markets we serve
| Market | What matters there | Sea transit from India |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | Federal food registration / import permit (MOCCAE); Company & product registration before arrival (Dubai Municipality Food Safety Dept) | 3-6 days |
| Saudi Arabia | Importer & product registration (SFDA); Clearance documents (SFDA via FASAH) | 6-10 days |
| Germany | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Health certificate & listed establishment (DG SANTE / EIC-EIA (India CA)) | 21-27 via Suez; 31-38 via Cape days |
| Netherlands | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Health certificate & listed establishment (DG SANTE / EIC-EIA (India CA)) | 18-24 via Suez; 28-35 via Cape days |
| France | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Health certificate & listed establishment (DG SANTE / EIC-EIA (India CA)) | 20–25 d to Le Havre; 15–20 d to Marseille-Fos (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| Italy | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Health certificate & listed establishment (DG SANTE / EIC-EIA (India CA)) | 15–20 d to Genoa/La Spezia via Suez (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| Spain | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Health certificate & listed establishment (DG SANTE / EIC-EIA (India CA)) | 15–20 d to Valencia/Barcelona/Algeciras via Suez (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| Singapore | Importer licence & permit (SFA) | 7-12 days |
| Malaysia | Halal (JAKIM); Food safety (MOH Food Safety & Quality Division) | 8-12 days |
| Indonesia | Product registration (BPOM); Mandatory halal (BPJPH) | 11-16 days |
| Vietnam | General import clearance | 11-16 days |
| Qatar | General import clearance | 6–9 d to Hamad Port, often via Jebel Ali/Salalah transhipment (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Kuwait | General import clearance | 8–12 d to Shuwaikh/Shuaiba, usually via Jebel Ali (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Oman | General import clearance | 3–5 d Mundra/Nhava Sheva → Sohar/Muscat; 4–6 d Salalah (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Bahrain | General import clearance | 7–10 d via Jebel Ali/Dammam (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Belgium | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Health certificate & listed establishment (DG SANTE / EIC-EIA (India CA)) | 19-25 via Suez; 29-36 via Cape days |
| Poland | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Health certificate & listed establishment (DG SANTE / EIC-EIA (India CA)) | 28–35 d to Gdańsk (direct Asia–Baltic loops or via Hamburg/Rotterdam feeder) (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Sweden | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Health certificate & listed establishment (DG SANTE / EIC-EIA (India CA)) | 28–35 d to Gothenburg via Hamburg/Rotterdam feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Denmark | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Health certificate & listed establishment (DG SANTE / EIC-EIA (India CA)) | 28–35 d to Aarhus/Copenhagen via Hamburg feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Japan | General import clearance | 18–25 d to Tokyo/Yokohama/Kobe via Singapore (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
Transit times are typical port-to-port estimates; regulatory items are the main product-specific requirements, not an exhaustive list.
Where frozen fish is sourced in India
Gujarat — Gir Somnath (Veraval), Porbandar, Valsad. Largest marine fish landing state; ribbonfish and croaker
Maharashtra — Ratnagiri, Raigad, Mumbai. Pomfret, mackerel, ribbonfish
Kerala — Kollam, Kochi (Ernakulam), Kozhikode. Sardine, mackerel, seer fish
Karnataka — Dakshina Kannada (Mangaluru), Udupi. Mackerel, sardine
- Bhimavaram-Nellore aquaculture & processing belt (Andhra Pradesh; Gujarat; Odisha; Tamil Nadu; West Bengal) · ships via Visakhapatnam (50.87% of marine exports FY25 - secondary source) · season: Two crops/yr; main harvest Apr-Jul and Oct-Dec (ASSUMPTION)
- Veraval (largest fish-processing cluster) / Kochi-Aroor (Gujarat; Kerala; Maharashtra; Karnataka; TN) · ships via Pipavav/Mundra (Veraval) · season: Fishing season Aug-May (monsoon ban Jun-Jul both coasts) (ASSUMPTION - statutory ban dates vary by coast)
Typical export specification
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Form | Whole round, gutted, or HGT; block or IQF (typical) |
| Size grading | Per species, e.g. ribbonfish 200-300 / 300-500 / 500 g up; pomfret 4-6 / 6-8 pcs/kg (typical) |
| Glaze | 5-10% (typical) |
| Storage | -18 °C or colder |
| Histamine (scombroid species) | Within destination limits (EU ≤ 100-200 mg/kg sampling plan) (typical) |
Agreed per contract and confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Export documentation
Documents we prepare or arrange for each shipment:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- EIC health certificate
- Catch certificate (EU IUU regulation)
- Certificate of analysis
- MPEDA registration reference
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for frozen fish exported from India?
Frozen Fish is usually classified under HS 0303 (Fish, frozen, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304). Fillets and fish meat fall under 0304; squid and cuttlefish under 0307. Use the species-specific 6-digit line.
Where is frozen fish produced in India?
Main clusters: Bhimavaram-Nellore aquaculture & processing belt, Andhra Pradesh; Gujarat; Odisha; Tamil Nadu; West Bengal; Veraval (largest fish-processing cluster) / Kochi-Aroor, Gujarat; Kerala; Maharashtra; Karnataka; TN.
Which documents are needed to export frozen fish?
Commercial invoice, Packing list, Bill of lading, Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies), EIC health certificate, Catch certificate (EU IUU regulation), Certificate of analysis. Destination-specific registrations are listed on each market page.
Which frozen fish species do you supply?
Ribbonfish, croaker, Indian mackerel, sardine, pomfret, reef cod, seer fish, barracuda and threadfin bream, subject to seasonal availability.
Is there a fishing ban season in India?
Yes, an annual monsoon fishing ban applies on each coast (roughly June-July on the west coast), so shipments are planned around it.
Do you provide catch certificates for the EU?
Wild-caught fish for the EU is shipped with an IUU catch certificate and an EIC health certificate from an EU-listed plant.
Market guides
Get a quote for frozen fish
Share grade, quantity and destination port. We reply within one business day.