Health Quarantine

I. AGENCY-IN-CHARGE

By virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1433, otherwise known as the Plant Quarantine Law of 1978, the Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and Plant Quarantine Service (PQS) are mandated to enforce the plant quarantine rules and regulations to avert introduction of foreign pests and further spread of those already existing in the Philippines.

II. RULES AND REGULATIONS

IMPORTATION OF PLANTS, PLANT MATERIALS AND SPECIES OF SMALL ANIMALS
1. Documents and Procedures
  1. Secure an Import Permit (BPI Q Form No. 2) containing the following required information when importing or bringing plants/plant materials or species of small animals in the Philippines from the BPI Director;
    - Name, address, telephone number of importer
    - Common Name
    - Scientific Name
    - Quantity (kg.)
    - Purpose of Importation
    - Place of Origin
    - Name and address of exporter
    - Means of Conveyance
    - Port of Entry in the Philippines
    - Final Destination (including sketch of location)
    - Expected Date of Arrival
    In applying for an Import Permit for fruits and vegetables, the importer has to undergo interview and advise session with the PQS Chief. The latter involves briefing on accredited suppliers in countries where one can import and its corresponding procedures. The importer has to bring original and photocopies of the following: Mayor’s Business Permit, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) Registration, pro forma invoice, and two (2) copies of latest 2X2 photograph.
    
    For the importation of regulated materials such as genetically modified organisms and potentially harmful exotic species:
    - Submit application form for approval by the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCPB);
    - Submit application form for an Import Permit to the PQS with the NCPB approved application form and outline of study as attachments. The PQS conducts site inspection prior to issuance of an Import Permit.
    - Additional Procedure: Post-entry quarantine.
  2. Secure a Plant Health Certificate (Original FAO/IPPC Model), otherwise known as a Phytosanitary Certificate, which is issued by the Plant Quarantine Officer from the place of origin;
  3. Ensure that the plants are free from soil, unmanufactured plant materials used for packing, such as ricehull, ricestraw, among others; and,
  4. Submit for inspection / verification of the plants, plant materials and plant products to the Plant Quarantine Officer immediately upon arrival. Accomplish Application Form for Inspection (Form No. 37) and submit the following documents:
    - Phytosanitary Certificate issued by country of origin;
    - Permit to Import (original copy) issued by BPI-PQS;
    - Bill of Lading / Airway Bill; and,
    - Photocopy of the Inward Cargo Manifest and Bureau of Customs entry of declaration.
2. Prescribed Regulatory Fees
  1. Issuance of Import Permit
    A fee of P 10.00 per permit is collected.
  2. Inspection and Certification
    - A minimum charge of P10.00 for shipment of 10 or less imported living plants. An additional fee of P1.00 is collected for every community pot.
    - A minimum charge of P4.00 per metric ton of imported seeds, cuttings, rhizomes, bulbs, corms, grafts, scion and other materials capable of propagation
    - A fee of P2.00 per metric ton of imported plant products and other materials intended for consumption, processing or manufacturing which are capable of harboring plant pests.
3. Plant Materials Requiring Import Permit
  - Living Plant
  - Seeds and nuts for planting
  - Nursery stock and other propagating materials
  - Fresh fruit and plant products declared restricted/prohibited
  - Pure cultures of fungi, bacteria, virus, nematodes, and other pathogenic materials
  - Mushroom (including spawn) algae culture, rhizobial culture as legume inoculant
  - Soil and plant material for isolation of organism
  - Other plant cultures
  - Species of small animals potential as agricultural pests
EXPORTATION OF PLANTS, PLANT MATERIALS AND SMALL SPECIES OF SMALL ANIMALS
The Phytosanitary Certification of Export Commodities depends upon the requirements of the importing countries. Inspection and treatment should satisfy the importing country regulations to ensure the acceptability of export commodities.
1. Documents and Procedures
  - Submit a duly accomplished Application for Inspection (BPI Form No. 10) to any Plant Quarantine Service Office or port of origin, together with a certified true copy of the Official Export Declaration issued by the authorized Agent Bank and Permit to Import whenever required by the importing country. Application should be filed at least 48 hours prior to the time of shipment. However, if inspection will be conducted at the exporter’s premise and treatment is required, application must be filed three (3) days to one (1) week before shipment for the schedule of plant quarantine inspectors and exposure time required for treatment.
  - Secure a Convention for International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) Permit when exporting wild plants;
  - The inspection of commodities is done by random sampling at 10 percent of the total exports. In cases where the importing countries have specific sampling requirements for particular crops, the PQS follows their requirements.
2. Prescribed Regulatory Fees
  - Issuance of Inspection and Phytosanitary Certification of Living Plants for Export
    A minimum charge of P4.00 is collected for shipment of 10 pieces or less of living plants. An additional fee of .40 centavos is collected per piece of living plant thereafter.
  - Community Pots / Similar Packages / Container
    A fee of P4.00 per community pot is collected.
  - Inspection and Phytosanitary Certification for EXPORT of seeds, cuttings, bulbs, corms, scion, and other materials capable of propagation
    A fee of P2.00 per metric ton is collected.

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