The lead and cadmium contents of the main fish species consumed in Finland were determined by ETAAS after wet digestion with HNO3. Analytical quality was controlled with blanks, reference materials and blind replicates. Mean and median lead contents of domestic fish species were <LOD (1 μg/kg)‐9·4 μg/kg and <LOD‐4.7 μg/kg. The lead contents of imported fish and imported canned or salted fish ranged from < LOD to 8, and 4 to 177 μg/kg. Mean and median cadmium contents of domestic fish species were <LOD (0.4 μg/kg)‐5·8 μg/kg and <LOD‐4.4 μg/kg. Fresh imported fish contained <LOD‐11 μg Cd per kg and canned or salted fish 9–42 μg Cd per kg. Higher fish consumption would not increase lead or cadmium intake significantly in Finland. At present fish contributes about 4% of the average lead intake and 3% of cadmium intake.