Phytosanitary Certificate Template
Certifies that a consignment of plants or plant products meets the importing country's phytosanitary requirements.
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Check before filingA phytosanitary certificate can only be issued by a national plant protection organisation. Use this to prepare the application and supply your inspector with the consignment details — it is not itself a valid certificate.
IPPC model certificate (ISPM 12)
| Number of packages | Description of packages | Name of produce | Botanical name of plants | Quantity declared | Unit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This is to certify that the plants, plant products or other regulated articles described herein have been inspected and/or tested according to appropriate official procedures and are considered to be free from the quarantine pests specified by the importing contracting party and to conform with the current phytosanitary requirements of the importing contracting party, including those for regulated non-quarantine pests.
About this document
A phytosanitary certificate states that plants or plant products have been inspected and are considered free from quarantine pests. It matters because only a national plant protection organisation can issue the real one. What you prepare is the application, and the official certificate follows inspection.
Only an official body can issue it
Under the International Plant Protection Convention, phytosanitary certificates are issued by the exporting country's national plant protection organisation, on a standard international model. An exporter cannot self-certify. What the exporter does is apply, present the goods for inspection, and provide the consignment details the certificate is built from. That is what this worksheet is for.
Know the importing country's requirements first
Import requirements differ sharply by country and by commodity, and they change. Some destinations require specific additional declarations naming a pest or a treatment, and a certificate without the exact wording they expect is refused even though it is genuine. The importer is usually the one who can obtain the current requirement, so ask before booking inspection.
Timing and validity
Inspection has to happen close enough to export that the certificate still reflects the condition of the goods, and many countries impose a validity window between issue and shipment. Applying too early is as much of a problem as applying too late. Treatment, where required, must usually be completed and documented before the certificate is issued.
Prefer to fill it in on screen? Use the phytosanitary certificate generator →
Not sure what goes in a box? How to fill out a phytosanitary certificate, field by field →
Keep building your document set
- Commercial InvoiceGoods, values and payment details.
- Packing List — DetailedPackages, weights and dimensions.
- Certificate of OriginThe declared origin of your goods.
- Bill of LadingShipper, consignee and cargo details.
- Shipper's Letter of InstructionInstructions for your freight forwarder.
- Verified Gross Mass DeclarationThe verified weight of a packed container.
Questions
+Can I issue my own phytosanitary certificate?
No. It must be issued by the exporting country's plant protection authority following inspection. This worksheet prepares the consignment details for that application.
+Which goods need one?
Plants, plant products, seeds, timber, and often used agricultural machinery and some packaging. The precise list is set by the importing country, so confirm with the importer rather than assuming.
+What is an additional declaration?
A specific statement the importing country requires on the certificate, typically confirming freedom from a named pest or that a named treatment was applied. The wording is usually prescribed and must be reproduced exactly.
+How long is a phytosanitary certificate valid?
It varies by destination, and is generally measured in days or weeks from issue. Check the importing country's rule and plan inspection around the sailing rather than around production.
Make a document
Fill in your shipment details and download the document.
Create a phytosanitary certificate