Plants, seeds, and imported spices must offer the same guarantees, requirements, and conditions as those of domestic production as established by Spanish legislation. The Official Inspection, Surveillance, and Regulation Service for Exports (SOIVRE) is the body responsible for issuing the official control and inspection certificate for food products from foreign trade. Through this service, under the Ministry of Economy, it is ensured that imported spices comply with the required health and quality standards.The SOIVRE is a service composed of foreign trade inspection centers. A total of 32 centers, 138 inspection points, and 10 laboratories monitor imported seeds and spices in our country. Among its main functions are:Compliance with regulations affecting imported spices is ensured through certifying entities that inspect the merchandise to ensure it offers the same guarantees, requirements, and conditions as domestic production.
- Inspect the quality of imported plants, seeds, and spices
- Review merchandise documents
- Control products in the import process
- Report deficiencies or damages in the merchandise and errors in documents
- Issue quality control certificates
- Open sanctioning proceedings
Foreign trade in the agri-food sector is subject to the control and monitoring of commercial flows through the import certificate, which must be presented prior to customs clearance. This certificate is used for statistical control of imports and managing tariff quotas.Phytosanitary control measures for the importation of spices and other agri-food products have two main objectives:
- Preserve the plants in the destination country from the risks of entry or spread of pests and diseases
- Protect the life and health of people and animals from the presence of contaminants and toxins in imported agri-food products.
To achieve this, a set of laws, decrees, and regulations govern production processes, testing procedures, inspection and certification methods, quarantine regimes, and packaging and labeling requirements related to food safety.The regulations related to the importation of spices, seeds, and plants are outlined in the Royal Decree 1628/2011, which regulates invasive exotic species, and in the Royal Decree 58/2005, which includes measures for protection against the introduction of harmful organisms to plants.
Imported Organic Spices
In addition to the routine controls applied to agri-food products in general, imported organic seeds, vegetables, and spices require special, more stringent certifications.At Bull Importer, we have an extensive network of producers who hold the necessary organic certifications to export their goods. The main certifying entities, such as Lacon, Kiwa, Ecocert, and the Council of Organic Agriculture in Spain, certify and regulate the use of corresponding seals in our imports of organic spices to ensure the quality of the product’s origin.We are specialized importers of organic spices and organic seeds from organic farming cooperatives in various countries, enabling us to offer the best prices and varieties.Request our catalog of imported organic seeds and spices.
