Phytosanitary Certificate for Export

The Phytosanitary Certificate (PSC) is an official document required for exporting/re-exporting plants, plant products, or other regulated articles. PSC is issued to indicate that the consignments meet specified Phytosanitary import requirements of importing countries. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Government of India, gives PSC following the guidelines of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). Know more about How to Start an Export Business

Purpose of Phytosanitary Certificate for Export

The purpose of the Phytosanitary certificate for export is explained in detail below:

A phytosanitary certificate is issued to attest that the plant, plant product, or other regulated articles meet the importing country's phytosanitary requirements.
The phytosanitary certificate may also support re-export certification to other countries.

Products Covered

The exporter needs to obtain the Phytosanitary Certificate for exporting the following types of products:

A phytosanitary Certificate is an important document to export regulated articles such as plants, bulks, and tubers
For importing seeds for propagation, fruits and vegetables, cut flowers and branches, grain, and growing medium.
The phytosanitary certificate is also needed for certain plant products that have been processed and have a potential for introducing regulated pests (For example, cotton or wood).
PSC is needed to export contaminated articles such as empty shipping containers, vehicles, or other organisms.

Type of Phytosanitary certificate

This certificate is classified into two types, as mentioned below:

Phytosanitary certificate for export purposes
Phytosanitary certificate for re-export purposes

Phytosanitary certificate for export purposes

The NPPO of the country of origin issues a Phytosanitary certificate for export. A Phytosanitary certificate for export declares that the consignment meets the country's Phytosanitary requirements. PSC for export is also provided in certain re-export situations for regulated articles in a country other than the country of re-export if compliance with the Phytosanitary import.

Phytosanitary certificate for re-export purposes

A Phytosanitary Certificate for re-export will be issued by the NPPO of the re-exporting countries where the commodity was not grown or processed to change its nature in that country and only where an original phytosanitary certificate for export is available.

Prescribed Authority

The prescribed authority for issuing the Phytosanitary Certificate for Export is the Plant Quarantine Information System, Department of Agriculture, Co-operation and Farmer Welfare, Government of India.

Validity Details

To ensure the Phytosanitary integrity and physical integrity of consignment, the validity of PSC before export is limited to a maximum period of 7 days for perishable consignments and 30 days for non-perishable consignments should be ensured that the goods will be shipped immediately after certification.

Time Limit to Apply

The applicant needs to apply at least 2-3 days before the actual date of the shipment of the consignment. In the case of the export of seed consignments, such applications need to be filed 8-10 days before the actual date of shipment. Note: Export of perishable commodities such as cut flowers, fresh fruits, and vegetables, the above conditions may not apply.

Documents Required

The following documents should accompany the application for the Phytosanitary Certificate:

Permit issued by the importing countries for exporting the seeds or propagating plant material
The wildlife clearance certificate is needed if the export commodity is covered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Flora and Fauna.
Copy of invoice
Packing list
Shipping or airway bill
Letter of credit
Trade Agreement
Purchase order
Export license
Fumigation certificate
Export inspection fee and Fumigation charges

The exporter or his agent needs to pay the inspection fee at the prescribed rates as tabulated below:

Additional Inspection Fee

In the specific request from the exporter, the consignment will be inspected at places outside the Plant Quarantine station on payment of Rs.10 per visit towards outside inspection charges within the municipal limits of a town or corporation limits of the city. The exporter must pay the traveling and dearness allowances of the PQ officer and staff deputed for inspection outside the city or town as per the entitlement and accommodation charges. The exporter must pay storage charges of Rs.10 per cubic meter space per day if the consignment is not immediately removed after re-inspection.

Additional Fumigation Charges

The exporter must pay an additional Rs.25 per container for fumigation and Treatment of the consignment. The inspection fees need to be paid in advance or immediately upon completion of the inspection tour but before issuance of PSC.

Application Procedure for Phytosanitary Certificate

The application procedure for the Phytosanitary Certificate is explained in detail below:

Registration of Application

The exporter must submit an application in the prescribed format to the officer-in-charge of the concerned Plant Quarantine station at the designated port through which they intend to export. The application form for PSC is enclosed here for reference:

On receipt of the application Plant Quarantine officer will scrutinize the application and, if found complete in all respects, will register the application and assess the inspection fee as mentioned above.

Note: The applications made in respect of the export or import-prohibited consignments will be refused for issuance of Phytosanitary Certificates (PSC) and also applications made in respect of preserved or pickled, or frozen plant products.

On receipt of inspection fees, a quarantine order will be granted by the officer-in-charge of the prescribed PQ station for presenting the commodity for inspection by the applicant.
The inspection fee will not be refunded in the case of a canceled or rejected application.

Inspection of Consignment

The exporter needs to present the consignment either at the office of the PQ station or arrange for an inspection at his premises or give the containers at any other approved place on the scheduled date and time of inspection as per the quarantine order issued.

Note: The exporter or agent must provide necessary transport, labor, and other facilities for opening, sampling, repacking, and sealing.

A sampling of seed for propagation

A sampling of seeds for propagation will follow the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) Rules, 1976. A sampling of pulses, cereals, oilseeds, and others for consumption will be inspected as per the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Laboratory Testing

The Plant Quarantine officer deputed for inspection will draw the appropriate size of the sample for detailed laboratory testing.
The samples of grain, pulses, nuts, spices, dry fruits, fresh fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, groundnut, turmeric, coffee beans, etc. that are meant for consumption will be visually inspected using the illuminated magnifier for live insect infestation.
Pulses are usually inspected using the X-Ray examination.

Fumigation and Treatment of consignment

If the live insect infestation is noticed, the exporter needs to arrange for fumigation of the consignment at an approved place by an approved pest control operator under the supervision of the PQ officer.
The consignments will be re-inspected after the degassing of the consignment to ensure freedom from live infestation.

Issuance of Phytosanitary Certificate

Phytosanitary Certificates (PSCs) will be issued to the exporter if the consignment on inspection is free from quarantine pests.
In the case of re-exported consignments, the PSCs are issued in the re-export format prescribed under IPPC.

Online Application Procedure

The trader, who wishes to obtain the Phytosanitary Certificate, needs to access the home page of the PlantQuarantine Information System.

After accessing the home page of PQIS, the applicant needs to click on the "Sign up" link in the login window.
The screen will be displayed and provide the following details:
- Name of the Exporter
- Address of office location

Note: Importer / Exporter can register with any Plant Quarantine Station; provision for entering five addresses of his/her office locations has been given.

Select Client type (Importer or Exporter)
Provide Import Export Code given by DGFT
Furnish Contact number and mail ID
After providing the details, select the plant Quarantine Station where the trader desires to register; after completing the registration form, click the submit button.
After submitting, the request will be sent to the respective Plant Quarantine Station. Plant Quarantine Station after validating the details, will activate the account. After activation, the applicant receives an e-mail message: "Your account has been activated."
After login into the system, click on "Apply Online" to obtain the Phytosanitary Certificate. The exporter can submit the following applications online for Phytosanitary Certificate by clicking the respective link:
- Phyto-Sanitary Certificates
- Re-Export Phyto-Sanitary Certificates
Complete the application for Phytosanitary Certificate. The applicant can save the application for later submission by clicking the "Save" button or clicking the "Submit" button to submit it. An application number will be provided; keep it safe for future purposes.
After conducting the above-said process (Inspection of Consignment and Sampling Laboratory testing), Phytosanitary Certificates (PSCs) will be issued to the exporter if the consignment on inspection is found to be free from quarantine pests.