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Phytosanitary certificate and plant quarantine import permit
Exporting plants, grains, fruit or spices needs a phytosanitary certificate; importing agri goods may need a plant quarantine import permit. How DPPQS issues e-Phyto and the PQ Order 2003.
Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026
The short answer
Exporting plants, grains, fruit or spices needs a phytosanitary certificate; importing agri goods may need a plant quarantine import permit. How DPPQS issues e-Phyto and the PQ Order 2003. Key facts: Issued by: Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (DPPQS); Validity: Per consignment; Time: Digital e-Phyto since 15 June 2017.
Source: ppqs.gov.in. Not yet matched to an official page; confirm on the official portal before paying.
What it is
Plant quarantine protects crops from foreign pests. For exports, the plant quarantine authority inspects agricultural commodities as the importing country requires and issues a phytosanitary certificate. Since 15 June 2017 the Directorate issues digital phytosanitary certificates, called e-Phyto.
For imports, the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 applies. Importers apply in advance for an import permit for commodities in its schedules, and the shipment must carry a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country's authority.
Who needs it
Exporters of plants, seeds, grains, fruits, vegetables, spices and other plant products, and importers of agricultural commodities listed in the PQ Order. Goods packed in wood packaging must meet the international standard ISPM-15, according to DGFT's export schedule.
Official fees
| Fee | Official amount |
|---|---|
| Phytosanitary certificate and import permit fees | See DPPQSNot officially verified SourceWe did not find a fee table on an official page we could read. |
Fees and rules change and can differ between offices. Confirm the fee on the official portal before you pay. Amounts marked Not officially verified could not be checked on an official page.
Documents to keep ready
- IEC
- Invoice and packing list
- Details of the commodity, quantity and destination country
- Importing country's phytosanitary requirements
- For imports: the application for an import permit in the prescribed form, before you ship
Steps to apply
- Check the plant quarantine requirements of the buyer's country. DPPQS procedure
- Apply for inspection and the e-Phyto at the quarantine office near you. Fee: As shown by the office
- The consignment is inspected and the certificate is issued digitally.
- Importers: apply for the import permit before shipping, and ask the exporter for the phytosanitary certificate. Fee: As shown by the office
Where to apply
- DPPQS plant quarantine: Import and export procedures
Govt License is not a government website. We never take government fees or apply for you.
Official numbers
The Directorate says 201 officers from central, state and union territory governments are authorised to issue phytosanitary certificates.
After you apply
What to do once the form is submitted: where to track it, how long it takes, why it gets rejected and what the law says if you do not have it.
Track your application
Typical time
Digital e-Phyto since 15 June 2017
Not officially verified
If you operate without it
Plants and plant products without the needed permit or certificate can be refused, treated, sent back or destroyed. We could not read the Act penalty on an official page.
Law: Destructive Insects and Pests Act 1914; Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order 2003
Not officially verified
Common reasons for rejection and how to fix them
| Reason | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Import permit missing | Get the import permit before the goods ship. |
| Pest found at inspection | Treat the goods as the officer directs and ask for re inspection. |
| Papers do not match the consignment | Match species, quantity and origin on all papers. |
Not officially verified
Govt License is an independent guide. Fines and rules change, so confirm on the official portal. Items marked Not officially verified could not be checked on an official page.