For both the import and export of plants and plant materials to and from an increasing number of countries, you will use electronic phytosanitary certificates. These certificates are referred to as ePhyto (sometimes also called e-fyto or e-Phyto). This digitization has several consequences for both import and export.
Exchanging Phytosanitary Certificates
Phytosanitary certificates are health declarations through which the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the country of dispatch declares the phytosanitary status of the shipment described on the certificate to the NPPO of the destination country.
From Paper to Electronic
This exchange always took place via a paper certificate that was present with the shipment. However, increasingly this information is exchanged electronically via an electronic certificate (ePhyto) between NPPOs. In that case, an electronic signature is placed on the certificate, and the certificate is sent electronically to the relevant NPPO. Therefore, no official paper phytosanitary certificate is included with the shipment during electronic exchange.
Hybrid Transition Period
ePhyto’s for export from the Netherlands to third countries have been first introduced for Great Britain. Norway will follow on March 3, 2025. We are first making agreements with other countries. For imports, more countries recognized by the EU issue ePhyto, of which some also send actual ePhyto’s, while others still send paper phytosanitary certificates.
Unfortunately, at this moment, it is not possible to send an ePhyto for export to a third country in all situations. For the seed sector, for example, ePhyto’s cannot yet be sent because not everything has been arranged in e-CertNL. Additionally, not all countries can yet issue and receive ePhyto’s.
As a result, there is a hybrid transition period. During this period, you may encounter multiple types of certificates. Especially in the case of re-export, where an import certificate from the country of origin must be added to the Dutch certificate. Several types are possible:
- ePhyto. An XML data file exchanged between NPPOs, with an electronic signature. This is the official certificate.
- Digital Declaration. A more readable version of the contents of the ePhyto. This is also called a statement. It is not an official document and is therefore not certified.
- Paper Certificates. The current template of the certificate (printed on security paper and signed and stamped). This is used as long as the exchange of ePhyto’s is not possible.
For a number of countries, ePhyto’s are also issued during a test phase alongside the paper certificates. For this exchange, it is still important to send the paper phytosanitary certificate with the shipment.
Great Britain
Only for export to Great Britain is a digitally signed phytosanitary certificate created temporarily instead of the digital declaration alongside the ePhyto. This is the current sealed pdf: The complete certificate in a digitally signed pdf file.
No ePhyto for Complex Mixes
Also, for complex mixes, ePhyto’s cannot yet be issued. These are shipments consisting of parties from different products. For example, a batch of flower seeds consisting of seeds from different types of flowers, mixed flower bouquets, or fruit baskets. An international solution still needs to be reached for this.
When the mix consists of products of the same name, but for example, only the origin of the different raw materials differs, an ePhyto can be produced.
Falling Back on Paper
If the issuance of ePhyto’s is not possible, a paper phytosanitary certificate will be made for most countries. E-CertNL makes this choice based on the entered information; an exporter does not need and cannot make this choice themselves. At the moment when there is fully digital exchange between countries, the hybrid system will be abolished. From that moment on, only ePhyto’s will be sent between these countries. If there are problems with creating or sending ePhyto’s, there is a fallback option to paper certificates.
Using ePhyto’s for Export
Read more about ePhyto’s for export. And what this means for your application in e-CertNL.
Using ePhyto’s for Import
Read more about ePhyto’s for import. And view the countries recognized by the EU to issue ePhyto for shipments destined for the EU.
More Information
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