Phytosanitary Certificate

Summary of Phytosanitary Certificate

Also known as a sanitary certificate, a document issued by an appropriate governmental authority in the country of export certifying that a given shipment of plants or agricultural products has been inspected and is free from disease or pests. This document is customarily obtained by the exporter and provided to the importer so as to effect customs clearance. In the United States, phytosanitary certificates are issued by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture

(Main Author: William J. Miller)

Phytosanitary Certificate in International Trade

Meaning of Phytosanitary Certificate, according to the Dictionary of International Trade (Global Negotiator): An inspection certificate issued by a competent governmental authority to show that a particular shipment has been treated to be free from harmful pests and plant diseases. The phytosanitary certificate must be issued before the customs clearance for export and import. It is granted for a period of sixty days covering the usual deadlines for shipping and international freight. Model of Phytosanitary Certificate.