The ATQ regulation covers a certain number of fisheries products for which, for a limited volume, the duty has been suspended or reduced. Duty and volume are specific to each product. ATQs are only granted to products that are imported to be further processed within the EU. The objective is to provide the EU processing industry with raw and semi-raw materials, ensuring its competitiveness without harming EU producers.

The EU supply of certain fishery products currently depends on imports from third countries, either because these products are not produced in the EU or because they are not produced in enough quantities.