Phytosanitary control and certificate
If you import or ship plants, grain, vegetables, fruit or even goods on wooden pallets, the cargo falls under phytosanitary control. Without the required documents customs will not release the consignment, and if quarantine organisms are found the import is blocked entirely. We determine which documents are needed and arrange them. The service is for companies and sole proprietors across Ukraine — Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipro.
What phytosanitary control is
Phytosanitary control is governed by the Law “On Plant Quarantine” and is needed to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful organisms — pests, plant diseases and weeds. On import and export, regulated products undergo a phytosanitary examination — a laboratory analysis for the presence or absence of quarantine objects.
Regulated products — what is covered
- Seeds and planting material, agricultural crops.
- Grain, vegetables, fruit, nuts, dried fruit.
- Timber and wooden packaging — pallets, boxes, crating.
- Flowers, soil, feed of plant origin.
Whether your goods fall under control is often determined by the UKT ZED code.
Three documents: permit, phytosanitary and quarantine certificate
In the field of plant quarantine it is important not to confuse three different documents.
| Document | When it is needed |
|---|---|
| Quarantine permit | For import of regulated products |
| Phytosanitary certificate | For export/re-export (required by the destination country) |
| Quarantine certificate | For movement within the country/from a quarantine zone |
Who issues them and how the examination works
Phytosanitary documents are issued by state phytosanitary inspectors of the regional branches of the State Food and Consumer Service. The inspector examines the consignment, takes samples, and a laboratory carries out the analysis. The powers and procedures are described on the State Food and Consumer Service website. We prepare the documents and accompany the inspection and sampling.
ISPM 15 — wooden packaging and pallets
A separate requirement concerns wooden packaging. The international ISPM 15 standard requires pallets, boxes and crating to have undergone phytosanitary treatment (heat treatment or fumigation) and to carry the IPPC marking. Without such marking, cargo on wooden packaging may not be admitted into the destination country.
Phytosanitary control on import
When importing regulated products, a quarantine permit is arranged in advance, and at the border the cargo undergoes phytosanitary control. The consignment must have a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country. This stage is planned together with customs clearance so that perishables do not sit idle.
Phytosanitary control on export
For export of Ukrainian plant products a phytosanitary certificate is issued to meet the requirements of the destination country. Different countries have different requirements, so the certificate is prepared for the specific market. General requirements for permits are covered in product certification.
Documents and customs
Phytosanitary documents go in a set with the invoice, packing list and foreign-trade contract. The consistency of this set and customs clearance are handled by our customs broker. Perishable plant products are often carried by refrigerated road freight — temperature and phytosanitary control meet in one shipment.
How we organise phytosanitary control
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Cargo analysisWe determine whether the product is regulated and which documents are needed.
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Permit and preparationWe arrange the quarantine permit (import) and prepare packaging to ISPM 15.
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Inspection and examinationWe accompany the inspector's examination and the laboratory analysis.
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Certificate and customsWe obtain the phytosanitary/quarantine certificate and handle clearance.
Frequently asked questions
Phytosanitary control with Trans-Hope
Trans-Hope determines the required phytosanitary documents, arranges the quarantine permit and certificates, prepares packaging to ISPM 15 and handles clearance. Send the product description and the route — we will tell you exactly what is needed and arrange the paperwork.
