Success tips for aspiring smoked fish exporters...

Success tips for aspiring smoked fish exporters...
As you now know, the regulations around food imports to the EU
and USA are very strict. You must be ready to comply with all
these regulations to avoid seizure or destruction of your products
at the destination port.
First, the smoked and dried fish must be well processed and
preserved. If the fish is not smoked using the right wood, charcoal
or technique, it may end up with high levels of Polycyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons (PAH). These substances are considered by the US
and European Union to be dangerous to human health and are
claimed to cause cancer. Smoked fish consignments containing
more than 5 micrograms per kilogram of these substances may
not be allowed into any of these countries.
Another common reason why smoked and dried fish consignments
are seized is insect infestation and mould growth. If the fish still
contain a considerable amount of moisture after drying and
smoking, it's very likely to attract insects and moulds which
significantly reduce the quality of the products, and of course, the
money you can make from them (that’s if they get to get through
the foreign borders).
Other common causes of seizure are incomplete documentation or
improper labeling and packaging. You must ensure that you are
aware of the required paperwork and work with the custom broker
and importer to make sure everything is in place.