When a phytosanitary certificate enters the export route

01

A phytosanitary certificate is a plant-health document

Sri Lanka's National Plant Quarantine Service explains that a phytosanitary certificate confirms the health status of exported plants or plant products against the import conditions requested by the destination country.

It is not a general certificate of product quality, food safety, pesticide compliance or commercial suitability.

02

Exporter registration and pre-export inspection matter

NPQS current export guidance requires exporter registration and a request for phytosanitary certification. The route can include premises or consignment inspection, sampling, laboratory testing, treatment evidence, additional declarations and other documentation depending on the commodity and importing-country conditions.

NPQS also states that the certificate is issued only after the applicable pre-export requirements are satisfied.

03

ePhyto / GeNS is the electronic layer

Sri Lanka has implemented the IPPC Generic ePhyto National System. ePhyto is the electronic equivalent of phytosanitary certificate information and supports electronic exchange between participating national plant-protection organizations.

Electronic delivery does not remove the underlying commodity, inspection or importing-country requirements.

• Use correct botanical/product identification.
• Check importing-country conditions before shipping.
• Keep treatment and test evidence tied to the actual consignment.
• Do not reuse one consignment's certificate as a blanket product claim.