Exporting fish and seafood from Namibia
Hake, horse mackerel, oysters.
Your route to a first fish and seafood shipment
| Where you are | What you buy | Total | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New business: No registered CC or company yet | Export Starter Package + Export Readiness Assessment | N$15,000 | 15–20 working days, then a quote |
| Registered business: A CC or company, but no customs code yet | Export Registration + Export Readiness Assessment | N$11,000 | 10–15 working days, then a quote |
| Already an exporter: Customs code in hand, new to this commodity | Export Readiness Assessment + Shipment Documents | N$8,000 | 5 working days to the report |
Fish and seafood exports are scoped by hand after the Export Readiness Assessment.
What you need before we start
- A registered business with fishing rights or quota, or a processing arrangement
- Processing in an establishment on the approved list for your market
- A buyer in an approved market
Who regulates fish and seafood exports
- Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources: Fishing rights and quota, export permits and the EU-approved establishment list
- Namibian Standards Institution: Fish inspection and health certificates for export
- NamRA Customs and NCCI: Exporter registration, export declaration and origin certificate
Documents on a first shipment
- MFMR export permit
- NSI health certificate
- Catch certificate for the EU
- Certificate of origin
Where Namibian fish and seafood sells
Spain, South Africa, DRC and Zambia, Far East.
- Fish exports depend on quota and approved processing establishments, so we scope each case with you rather than sell a fixed pack.
What buyers ask for
- Species, size grades and freezing method stated per lot
- NSI health certificate and an EU catch certificate where the buyer is in Europe
- Cold chain records from vessel to container
- Packaging and labelling to the importer’s rules
Where first-time exporters go wrong
- Exporting without an EU catch certificate
- Processing in an establishment not on the approved list
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no fixed pack for fish?
Because exports depend on quota, approved establishments and ministry permits that differ by species and market. We scope each case after a short assessment.
Can I buy fish from a rights holder and export it?
Yes, if the processing establishment and your documents meet the destination’s rules. We check that first.
Buying Namibian fish and seafood instead? See supply, specifications and verified suppliers.