A phytosanitary certificate is an official document provided by the national plant protection organization (NPPO) of that particular country to certify that a shipment of plants, plant products, or other regulated products obeys the phytosanitary regulations of the importing country. The purpose of the phytosanitary certificate is to show that the goods are free from pests and meet the phytosanitary requirements set by the importing country to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases.
Phytosanitary certificates ensure that the movement of agricultural commodities does not cause a risk to the receiving country’s agriculture and environment. These certificates mainly include information about the goods, such as the type and quantity of goods, the origin, and any treatments or inspections that have been conducted to meet the goods import requirements.
The issuing of phytosanitary certificates is governed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). This international treaty aims to prevent the spread and introduction of pests of plants and plant products. Countries obey the IPPC standards to facilitate safe and smooth international trade in agricultural products while reducing the risk of pest transmission.
Here are some key reasons and functions of a phytosanitary certificate in export business:
Plant Health Protection: The main purpose of a phytosanitary certificate is to certify that the exported plants and plant products are free from pests, diseases, and other contaminants that could highly harm the plant health in the importing country.
Conformity with Importing Country’s Regulations: Different countries have different regulations and standards regarding the importing of plants and plant products. The phytosanitary certificate ensures that the exported goods satisfy the specific phytosanitary measures of the importing country.
Risk Reduction: The certificate helps in assessing and reducing the risks associated with the movement of plants and plant products across borders and ensures it have been inspected and obeys the required standards.
International Trade Assistance: Phytosanitary certificates create smoother international trade by providing a standardized document that verifies the health condition of the exported goods. This avoids delays and rejections at the border checkpoints of the importing country.
Customs Clearance: Many countries require a phytosanitary certificate as part of the documentation for customs approval. With this certificate, customs authorities may allow entry to the imported goods or order additional inspections.
International Cooperation: The use of phytosanitary certificates improves international cooperation and sticking to agreed-upon standards, developing trust between trading partners and supporting the global effort to maintain plant health.
The exporter needs to obtain the Phytosanitary Certificate for exporting the following types of products:
- A phytosanitary Certificate is a crucial document to export regulated articles such as plants, bulks, and tubers
- For importing seeds for breeding, fruits, and vegetables.
- The phytosanitary certificate is also essential for certain plant products that have been processed and have the potential to introduce regulated pests.
- Phytosanitary Certificate is needed to export contaminated articles such as empty shipping containers, vehicles, or other goods.
Here are some common types of Phytosanitary Certificate:
- Phytosanitary Certificate for Export (PC): This is the most common type of phytosanitary certificate, given by the exporting country’s plant protection authority. It certifies that the stated plants or plant products meet the phytosanitary requirements of the importing country.
- Re-Export Phytosanitary Certificate (RPC): This certificate is delivered for plants or plant products that have been already imported and are now being re-exported to another country. It ensures that the products meet the phytosanitary requirements of the new country.
Documents required phytosanitary certificate:
- Importing Country’s Permit: This permit from the destination country provides you the green light to export your goods or services.
- Wildlife Clearance Certificate: If your items come under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna category, you’ll need to obtain this certificate.
- Letter of Credit: A document showing your payment commitment is important for hassle-free international transactions.
- Shipping Bill: Depending on the mode of shipment, provide the relevant bill, be it air, sea, or land transport.
- Packing List: A detailed list of your shipment’s contents is documented and handy for proper identification.
- Export License: An authorization confirming you’re allowed to export your products.
- Fumigation Certificate: This confirms your goods have undergone a fumigation process to prevent pests.
- Purchase Order: Your customer’s shipment order details, ensuring everything is uniform.
- Fees: Be planned to pay export inspection fees and fumigation costs.
- Invoice Copy: A copy of your invoice is an important part of any trade.
A Phytosanitary Certificate will include the following details:
- Exporter’s company name, address, and contact details
- Importer’s company name, address, and contact details
- Place of origin
- Country of final (importer) destination
- Means of transport conveyance (road, rail, air, sea)
- Declared point of entry of product
- Import permit number
- Details of products included in the shipment
- Company statement, example – “This is to certify that the plants, plant products or other regulated articles described herein have been inspected and tested according to appropriate official procedures and are considered to be free from the quarantine pests specified by the importing contracting party and to conform with the current phytosanitary requirements of the importing contracting party, including those for regulated non-quarantine pests.”
- Treatment details including – date, treatment type, chemical, concentration, duration & temperature including any other additional information or declarations
- An authorized officer from the country’s governing authority will sign and stamp the phytosanitary certificate
Validity Details
The validity of the Phytosanitary certificate before export is limited to a maximum period of 7 days for decaying products and 30 days for non-decaying products should be ensured that the goods will be shipped as soon as the certification process is completed.
Time Limit to Apply
The applicant needs to apply at least 2-3 days before the actual date of the shipment of the goods. In the case of the export of seed products, such applications need to be filed well in advance i.e. 8-10 days before the actual date of shipment.