The phytosanitary certificate is the document most likely to hold a consignment at the border, and the easiest to get right in advance.
Of all the documents in an export file, the phytosanitary certificate causes the most delays — usually for small, entirely avoidable reasons.
Declarations are destination-specific
Importing countries specify additional declarations they require on the certificate. These vary by commodity and by origin, and they change. A certificate missing a required declaration will be refused even if the consignment is perfectly clean.
Names must match everything else
The botanical name, the quantity, the marks and the container number on the phyto must match the invoice, packing list and bill of lading exactly. A transposed digit in a container number is enough to stop a consignment.
Treatment details
Where fumigation is required, the certificate must record the chemical, dose, duration and temperature. Incomplete treatment sections are a common rejection reason.
Send us the requirements early
If your market has specific additional declarations, tell us at the contract stage. Applying for the right certificate the first time takes days; correcting one after the vessel has sailed can take weeks.