Phytosanitary Regulations
What is subject to phytosanitary control?
Consignments of plants, plant products and prescribed objects, plant nutrition products and plant protection products, as well as seeds, seedlings and planting material are subject to phytosanitary control at border crossings.
What is regulated by the phytosanitary regulations?
The Rulebook on Phytosanitary Control of Plants prescribes the manner of announcing a shipment of plants, plant products and prescribed objects, the form of request for inspection of a shipment of plants, plant products and prescribed objects, deadline for its submission and conditions that the importer must provide for phytosanitary inspection.
A consignment of plants is a certain quantity of plants, plant products and prescribed objects that is transported and accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate or other unique document or mark, which are necessary for the conducting of customs or other procedures.
Who files the application for control of the plant consignment?
The request for inspection of the consignment of plants is submitted by importers, carriers and their representatives, as well as customs declarants. This request for inspection of a consignment of plants is submitted on Form 1 – Request for phytosanitary inspection of a consignment of plants.
How is phytosanitary control performed?
Phytosanitary control of a consignment of plants is performed by inspecting the documentation accompanying the consignment of plants, inspecting the means of transport, inspecting the packaging and inspecting the plants.
It is being done by comparing the data from the documentation that accompanies the shipment with the markings on the packaging and the determined content of the shipment.
Checking the health status of plants is done by visual inspection of plants, taking representative samples for examination in a mobile laboratory at the border crossing.
Phytosanitary control during import
If required by the importing country, phytosanitary inspection of plants can be performed at the place of production during vegetation or during storage.
When it is determined that the consignment of plants meets the legally prescribed conditions for import, the phytosanitary inspector certifies the phytocertificate and issues a decision on the import permit and determines post-quarantine supervision.
If, on the other hand, it is determined that the consignment does not meet the legally prescribed conditions for import, the phytosanitary inspector puts a triangular red stamp on the front of the original phytocertificate with the following content: “CERTIFICATE CANCELED”.
At the border crossing where the phytosanitary inspection is not constantly present, but the phytosanitary inspection is performed on request, shipments of plants must be announced no later than one working day before the arrival of the shipment in person or by phone to the competent phytosanitary inspector.
Phytosanitary control during export
The exporter is obliged to submit the request for the issuance of phyto-certificates to the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management at least 24 hours before loading.
Phytosanitary inspection of a consignment of plants at export is performed at the place of loading of the consignment.
What documentation is required for consignments of plants?
Form 1 – Request for phytosanitary inspection of a consignment of plants
The request for inspection of the consignment of plants is accompanied by all the necessary documentation that accompanies it.
Form 2 – Notice of interception of a consignment of plants
With this form informs the phytosanitary inspector the Ministry about the ordered phytosanitary measures upon import.
Form 3 – Application for issuance of phytosanitary certificate
On this form, the exporter for consignments of plants exported from the Republic of Serbia and for which the issuance of phytocertificates is mandatory, submits a written request for the issuance of phytocertificates of intended export no later than 24 hours before loading.
Form 4 – Phyto certificate
Form 5 – Phyto certificate for re-export
The phyto certificate and phyto certificate for re-export contain data in accordance with the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures no. 12 (ISPM 12), “Guidelines for Phytosanitary Certificates”.
“General Transport” at your disposal if you need assistance in obtaining and completing the documentation relating to the import and export consignments of plants, as well as the documents used in customs procedures quickly and efficiently, and all of that with the aim of improving the quality of your business.