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Phytosanitary certificate
Official document certifying that exported plants or plant products meet the phytosanitary requirements of the importing country.
Definition and legal framework
A phytosanitary certificate is an official document issued by the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of the exporting country. It attests that plants, plant products, or other regulated articles meet the phytosanitary requirements of the importing country. This system is governed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), administered by the FAO.
Types of certificates
The IPPC provides two standardised models:
- Phytosanitary certificate for export: for consignments destined directly for the importing country
- Phytosanitary certificate for re-export: for consignments transiting through an intermediate country
Obtaining procedure
The exporter must:
- Submit an application to the NPPO
- Present goods for phytosanitary inspection
- The certificate is issued after verification of compliance with the importing country's requirements
Key watch points
- The certificate must be issued before shipment (some countries refuse post-shipment certificates)
- Each importing country has its own phytosanitary requirements: consult the IPPC ePhyto database
- The EU requires passage through a Border Control Post (BCP) with prior notification via TRACES NT for imported plants
- ePhyto (electronic phytosanitary certificate) is gradually replacing paper certificates