Phytosanitary Certificate Registration – PQ Certificate Process, Documents & Fees

The documents required for a Phytosanitary Certificate, also known as a PQ Certificate, help verify exporter details, product information, and compliance with applicable plant quarantine regulations.

Exporters applying for a Phytosanitary Certificate or PQ Certificate may be required to pay inspection and related charges as prescribed by the Plant Quarantine authorities. Inspections conducted outside the Plant Quarantine Office within city or town limits are subject to a fee of ₹10 per visit.

If the inspection needs to be carried out outside the city or town, exporters must bear the travel, accommodation, food, and other incidental expenses of the quarantine team. Additionally, if goods are not moved after re-inspection, a storage fee of ₹10 per cubic meter per day may be charged.

Fumigation or treatment services are charged at ₹25 per container. All inspection-related fees must be paid either in advance or immediately after the inspection and before the Phytosanitary Certificate is issued.

Note: Professional fees for obtaining a Phytosanitary Certificate (PQ Certificate) through Professional Utilities start at ₹9,999 only.

A Phytosanitary Certificate (PSC) is a document issued by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the exporting country. It confirms that plants, plant products, or other goods being exported are free from pests, diseases, or harmful substances. This certificate is important in international trade, especially for fruits and vegetables, as it ensures the importing country that the products meet their safety standards. The certificate is given after the goods are checked, and if needed, treatments like fumigation are done. It also includes details such as the plant names in Latin and the steps taken to protect the goods.

A Phytosanitary Certificate, also known as a PQ Certificate, is generally required for the import or export of plants and plant products across international borders. This mainly includes live plants, seeds, bulbs, tubers, fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, and other plant materials capable of propagation. The certificate may also be required for certain semi-processed plant products, such as cotton, wood, timber, and wooden packaging materials, where there is a risk of carrying plant pests or diseases.

In addition, other high-risk items such as used agricultural equipment, empty shipping containers, and vehicles that may harbor pests may require phytosanitary clearance before entry into another country. A valid PQ Certificate provides customs and plant quarantine authorities with assurance that the shipment complies with the importing country's plant health requirements. Without a valid certificate, shipments may face delays, rejection, treatment, seizure, or destruction at the port of entry.

The Phytosanitary Certificate offers multiple benefits, including legal acceptance of plant exports, reduced inspection issues, and faster customs clearance.

Phytosanitary certificates are issued by NPPOs to prove conformance by consignments to international plant quarantine requirements. According to the export process, there are two main types of phytosanitary certificates:

• Phytosanitary Certificate for Export: It is a certificate issued by the NPPO of the country of origin, confirming that the consignment has been inspected and found free from regulated pests and diseases in accordance with the importing country's phytosanitary regulations.
• Phytosanitary Certificate for Re-export: This certificate is issued by the NPPO of the country of re-export when goods, previously imported, are exported again without growing or substantial processing. It usually refers to the original export certificate to show that the shipment stayed legal while it was being stored and shipped.

This classification is intended to aid in ensuring regulatory compliance and smoothing the international trade of plant and agricultural.