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Phytosanitary certificate; application for export to third countries

If you export plants, plant products or other objects to countries outside the EU, they must not contain any harmful organisms. As proof of this, you must apply for a phytosanitary certificate or a pre-export certificate or re-export certificate.

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Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft - Institut für Pflanzenschutz
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Procedure details

Plant diseases and pests can be introduced during international trade in plants, plant products or other objects. Such harmful organisms run the risk of spreading uncontrollably in a new environment and causing major economic damage. For these reasons, international trade in this area is subject to strict phytosanitary monitoring.

So if you want to export plants, plant products and other objects to countries outside the European Union (EU), you need the following prior to export

  • a phytosanitary certificate (PGZ)
  • and, if applicable, one or more pre-export certificates (VAZ)
  • or, in the case of import from a third country with subsequent export to a third country, a phytosanitary certificate for re-export.

After prior inspection, the PGZ / VAZ confirms compliance with the phytosanitary import requirements of the respective country of destination.

You must apply for one or more VAZs at the respective place of origin if

  • your consignment consists of partial consignments originating from areas of different phytosanitary services of the federal states / EU member states or
  • the origin of your consignment is not in the same area of responsibility of a phytosanitary service as the place where the necessary treatment of the consignment must be carried out.

The VAZ serve as the basis for the PGZ, which you can apply for from the responsible official phytosanitary service in the federal state.

Both of these documents confirm that the phytosanitary requirements of the respective importing country have been met following a successful inspection.

  • Required document/s

    You will need the following information for the online form:

    • Addresses
      • of the applicant
      • the exporter or the exporter
      • the postal and invoice address of the postal and invoice addressee
    • Name of the consignee and the importing country
    • Place of origin
    • Means of transportation
    • Registration number of the exporter
    • Inspection location, date and contact person on site
    • Description of goods, botanical name and quantities
    • Any treatments carried out, including protocols
    • Import permit of the importing country, if applicable
    • Test reports of laboratory tests, if applicable

You apply for the required phytosanitary certificate or pre-export certificate or certificate for re-export and the necessary inspections.

The official phytosanitary service of the federal state checks the application and informs you of the next steps.

Status: 17.10.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bundesministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Heimat + Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft, Forsten und Tourismus
Source: Federal Portal
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