Phytosanitary Certificate in Maharashtra - Procedure, Documents, Fees and Validity

Updated on March 05, 2025 11:31:23 AM

Maharashtra, being one of the most industrialized states of India, plays an important role in agriculture & horticulture, which contributes to the national income. But for plant exporters from Maharashtra, especially those dealing with plants and plant products, a phytosanitary certificate is not only an obligation but a very effective tool in international trade. This essential document confirms the pest and disease status of products to meet the health regulations of the importing country. The need for a phytosanitary certificate is thus not only legal; it is essential for the protection of agricultural integrity and for preventing pests and diseases from entering new ecosystems. Besides, it assists in avoiding bureaucratic hurdles in clearing goods through customs in the intended country, thus cut short the chances of shipment hold up, penalties or rejection upon arrival.

It means to understand the requirements of a particular case set by the authorities of Maharashtra, arrange the required paperwork, pass through the check, and follow the requirements for phytosanitary measures. This guide is also useful in giving exporters a wealth of information on every aspect of the certification process to make them understand the process fully and make their products safe and of quality standard to meet international business transactions.

What is a Phytosanitary Certificate?

A phytosanitary certificate is a certificate issued in the form of a document by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the exporting country. It assures the world that plants, plant products, or any other restricted products to be exported are not contaminated by pests, diseases, or any other prohibited substances. The exporting country is then issued with this certificate, which is very vital in international trade, especially of horticultural crops, because it affirms to the importing country that the produce meets there phytosanitary requirements. Otherwise, one may have a problem with delayed shipments, rejected shipments, or even your goods could be destroyed at customs.

A phytosanitary certificate is issued after the inspection done by the authorized officers makes an examination of the consignment for signs of pests or diseases. If so, treatments like fumigation or irradiation are provided to obtain the standard level for the product. As for common information about the type and quantity of the goods, the certificate usually provides the name of the plants in Latin and the measures taken.

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Benefits of Phytosanitary Certificate in Maharashtra

The benefits of a phytosanitary certificate in Maharashtra extend beyond compliance and regulation, offering advantages to both exporters and importers.

  • Preventing Pest Spread: It assists in safeguarding agriculture from the introduction of destructive pests and diseases into the importing country.
  • Facilitating Trade: This certificate is required by many countries for customs clearance; therefore, each exporter and importer must invariably obtain it.
  • Boosts Market Access: This certificate offers assurance of product safety and quality, which assists exporters to make entry into global markets besides developing trade relations.
  • Minimizes Quarantine Risks: Having a phytosanitary certificate decreases the possibility of undergoing quarantine inspection or a long stay in the customs, making goods transit to be efficient depending on the contents that the certificate is being used on.
  • Reduces Legal Risks: A valid phytosanitary certificate shields exporters and their products from possible legal matters or even legal cases likely to be incurred in cases where a shipment is proved to contain injurious pests or diseases upon arrival of the shipment in the country of import.
Benefits of Phytosanitary Certificate
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Procedure to obtain a phytosanitary certificate in Maharashtra

The phytosanitary certification process is a several-stage process to guarantee that exported plant products meet the requirements of the importing country’s phytosanitary standards. Below is the general procedure of the process:

Step 1: Understand Requirements

Check with the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) or the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine, and Storage to find out what phytosanitary requirements must be accomplished for your product.

Step 2: Prepare Documentation

A phytosanitary certificate is obtained by providing comprehensive documentation like an application form, invoices, packing list, etc., and any necessary permits. These documents allow inspection of your plant products and are proof that your plant products conform to phytosanitary regulations.

Step 3: Application Submission

Complete your application form and take it to the officer in charge at any of the plant quarantine stations. It is important to attach all necessary papers and to tender back the amount being payable for inspection according to Section Appendix-2.

Step 4: Inspection Process

Your consignment will be examined in detail by an authorized officer either at your premise as required or at any designated quarantine station. This may include:

  • Sampling and laboratory testing
  • Visual inspections and specific treatments if necessary

Step 5: Issuance of Phytosanitary Certificate

The phytosanitary certificate will be issued if the consignment is accepted after conducting a physical examination. The certificate will include details such as:

  • Exporter’s and consignee’s information
  • Description of the shipment
  • Compliance with import requirements of the destination country
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Documents Required for Phytosanitary Certificate in Maharashtra

For phytosanitary certification in Maharashtra, several documents are required for compliance with the international standard set for the export of plants and plant products. Here’s the list of required documents:

Documents Required for Phytosanitary Certificate
  • Permit issued by the importing countries for exporting the seeds or propagating plant material
  • The wildlife clearance certificate is needed if the export commodity is covered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Flora and Fauna.
  • Copy of invoice
  • Packing list
  • Shipping or airway bill
  • Letter of credit
  • Trade Agreement
  • Purchase order
  • Export license
  • Fumigation certificate
  • Export inspection fee and Fumigation charges
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Fee Charges for Phytosanitary Certificate

A request for outside inspection shall be done outside the plant quarantine at the exporter’s instance at a cost of Rs. 10 per visit on outside inspection charges within the municipal borders of a town or the corporation limits of the city.

The exporter has to bear the transport and other expenses, including the dearness allowance of the PQ officer and his staff in case they are posted for inspection outside the city or town. If the shipment is not removed immediately after re-inspection, the exporter has to bear charges of Rs. 10 per cubic meter for the storage per day.

For the services for fumigation and treatment of the consignment, the exporter is required to pay an additional Rs. 25 for each container. Fees for inspection must be prepaid or at the earlier time the inspection tour is over but before PSC is given.

Note:- Professional fees for phytosanitary certification is ₹9,999 only with Professional Utilities.

Validity for Phytosanitary Certificate in Maharashtra

The validity of the phytosanitary certificate (PSC) in Maharashtra depends on the nature of the consignment exported.

  • Perishable Goods: The certificate is valid for a maximum number of 7 days. This short validity period suggests that the goods should retain their phytosanitary quality up to the desired time of the transportation.
  • Non-Perishable Goods: For the non-perishable items, validity is up to 30 days. This makes it possible to take a slightly longer time before shipping products while at the same time maintaining the phytosanitary requirements.

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Conclusion

Getting a phytosanitary certificate in Maharashtra is important in making sure that the exporter of plants and plant products does not contravene international trade laws. Apart from merely certifying that the goods are pests and diseases, this certificate ensures easy clearance through customs and may also avoid cases whereby the shipments may be rejected or delayed. This paper sought to explain the process of certification to improve market access and quality/safety of products through the documentation procedure and adherence to phytosanitary measures. Finally, it leads to increased exports of agricultural produce from Maharashtra and strengthens its identity on the international market.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the phytosanitary regulation?

While the FDA sanitary regulations are completely developed and concerned with human health issues, most of the APHIS phytosanitary regulations are concerned with plant and animal diseases, health, and wellbeing, which, under an extended definition, encompass risks to agricultural productivity, environmental services, and other natural resources.

What is the meaning of phytosanitary food?

The term ‘phytosanitary’ can be associated with plant health and safety and is used mainly in connection with the regulations of importation of plants. Organised agriculture is defined as all endeavors involving avoiding pest and disease incursion into plants and plant products.

Who issues phytosanitary certificates in India?

The authority to issue the phytosanitary certificate for export is the Plant Quarantine Information System Department, Department of Agriculture, Co-operation, and Farmer Welfare, Government of India.

What are sanitary and phytosanitary SPS rules?

SPS measures refer to the legal standards embodied in laws, decrees, regulations, and requirements as well as specifications in the form of laws that countries impose to safeguard human, animal, or plant life and health from certain risks.

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