The phytosanitary certificate for the importation of plant products is a necessary document to certify that goods originating from third countries are free from pests. The introduction of plants and plant products into the Member States of the European Union is regulated by Directive 2000/29/EC, which is reflected in the Royal Decree 58/2005 through a standardized model authorized by the National Phytosanitary Protection Organization (ONPF) of each state.Importing countries require the phytosanitary certificate for goods regulated in this regard, such as bulbs and tubers, seeds, fruits, vegetables, or flowers. Some processed plant products, such as wood or cotton, may also require the certificate if they are considered a potential pest introduction hazard. Products requiring the phytosanitary certificate for importation must be properly documented before clearing customs. It is worth noting that the certificate is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.Plants, seeds, woods, fruits, and other goods of plant origin must be accredited as free of pests with a phytosanitary certificate for the importation of plant products, a standardized document regulated by the ONPF of each state.The document to be presented is a standardized model that receiving countries of the goods demand for certain regulated plant products susceptible to introducing pests. This document must be authorized by the National Phytosanitary Protection Organization (ONPF), which in Spain is the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food, and the Environment. Within this organization, the Subdirectorate General of Plant Health and Forestry Hygiene establishes that documents incurring in any of the following irregularities are considered invalid or fraudulent:
- Documents that are illegible
- Documents that are incomplete
- Documents whose validity has expired
- Documents with alterations, erasures, or contradictory information
- Certifications of prohibited products
- Documents or models not authorized by the ONPF
- Certificates with false or erroneous information
In the case of fruits, vegetables, seeds, and tropical woods that do not have specific phytosanitary requirements, customs authorities may conduct a physical inspection of the goods. These products are marked with the FITIN acronym in the TARIC code, published by the Directorate-General of Customs and Excise Duties of the Tax Agency.
Phytosanitary certificate for the importation of plant products and phytosanitary passport
The phytosanitary passport is a document that guarantees that plant products have undergone the phytosanitary controls and treatments required by current regulations, thus being able to circulate freely within the European Union. The main difference lies in the scope of application, as the phytosanitary certificate for the importation of plant products refers to goods originating from third countries.To issue the phytosanitary passport, it is essential that the company be registered in the Official Register of Producers, Traders, and Importers (ROPCIV). Products with a phytosanitary passport have a label and, when applicable, a document (invoice or delivery note) that must be present on the packaging and vehicles in which they are transported within the EU.If you wish to import plant products, consult Bull Importer about the goods we commonly work with. Our company manages the phytosanitary certificate for the importation of plant products such as spices, seeds, feeds, and flours, among others. Our suppliers, approved and verified, comply with current regulations in the EU.
