In export trade, Phytosanitary Certificate is mandatory. However, the question is how to get a phytosanitary certificate? What is a phytosanitary inspection? Who issues the phytosanitary certificate? What are the procedures to obtain a phytosanitary certificate?
What is a Phytosanitary Certificate?
The Australian Government issues the phytosanitary certificate for the benefit of the government to importing state, testifying the health status of the plant and certifying it. This certificate guarantees that the Australian plants or plant products are:
- Thoroughly inspected and tested using the latest procedures
- Considered free from quarantine pests and injurious pests
- Conform to the current phytosanitary regulations of the importing state/country
Phytosanitary certificates are only issues to indicate that plant and plant product consignments or other articles meet the specified phytosanitary import requirements and confirm with the certifying statement of the model certificate. Importing countries only require phytosanitary certificates regulated articles including commodities like bulbs, plants, seeds, fruits, vegetables, tubers, branches, cut flowers, grains and some growing medium. Furthermore, phytosanitary certificates may also be used for processed plant products like cotton and wood.
Who are Phytosanitary Certificate Providers?
A phytosanitary certificate is an original document issued by the NPPO. Under certain specific circumstances, some consignments may be issues this certificate upon arrival in an importing country. Phytosanitary certificate providers are government bodies of Australia monitored by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Exports.
Different Modes of Phytosanitary Certificate
A phytosanitary certificate is an original document that accompanies a consignment. Alternatively, an electronic certification may be obtained through:
- The mode of issues as well as security accepted by importing countries
- Information provided with appropriate models
- The intent of the certification under IPPC is acknowledged
- The identity of the Phytosanitary certificate provider is adequately established
Requirements of Importing Countries
The importing countries often specify requirements to be observed in accordance with the preparation and issuance of Phytosanitary certificates. This includes:
- Language requirement: Some countries require certificates to be completed in a specific language Validity period: Importing countries often specify the time period allowed to issue following inspection and treatment, consignment dispatch from the originating country, and certificate validity
- Completion: Some countries require that certificate is completed in legible handwritten capital letters or typing
- Units: Some countries require the description of consignment and quantity to be declared in specific units
Consult the officer-in-charge for more information.
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