Phytosanitary certificate — exporting plants and plant products from the UK to Poland

What is a phytosanitary certificate and when is it required for export from the UK

A phytosanitary certificate is an official government document confirming that the plants or plant products being exported meet the phytosanitary (plant health) requirements of the destination country. The certificate is issued by the competent government authority of the exporting country — in England and Wales this is APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency), an executive agency of Defra, and for wood and wood products the Forestry Commission. In Scotland the competent body is SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture, part of the Scottish Government), and in Northern Ireland DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs). Source: gov.uk — export or move plants and plant products from GB and NI.

Before Brexit, within the EU single market, UK exporters sending plants to Poland or other EU countries did not need phytosanitary certificates — goods moved freely without phytosanitary checks at internal borders. Since 1 January 2021 the UK has been a third country with respect to the EU. This means that regulated plants and plant products sent from Great Britain to Poland are subject to EU import controls and — apart from exempt goods (see below) — require a phytosanitary certificate, as with imports from other third countries. Source: gov.uk — export or move plants and plant products from GB and NI.

A phytosanitary certificate is not a customs document in the strict sense — it is a plant health document that accompanies the export consignment. It must be available to the control authorities in Poland (the State Plant and Seed Inspection Service — PIORiN) or at the EU Border Control Post (BCP). Absence of the certificate, or a certificate that has been incorrectly completed, may result in the consignment being held, rejected or destroyed at the exporter's cost.

When a phytosanitary certificate is mandatory — legal basis

The requirement for a phytosanitary certificate on import into the EU derives from EU Plant Health Regulation 2016/2031. The requirement applies to imports from third countries (including the UK since 2021) of plants and plant products listed in the EU schedules of goods subject to phytosanitary controls. On the exporter's side (UK), the obligation to apply to APHA for a certificate derives from UK Plant Health Order provisions and Defra/APHA guidance. Source: gov.uk — import and export plants and plant products.

Which plants and plant products require a phytosanitary certificate

Not all products of plant origin require a phytosanitary certificate — this depends on the type of goods, the degree of processing, the destination country, and the requirements set out by the EU in Regulation 2016/2031. Below are the main categories of goods for which a certificate is required when exporting from the UK to Poland/EU.

Categories of goods requiring a certificate — list

• Live plants — trees, shrubs, pot plants, ornamental plants, vegetable and flower transplants intended for planting
• Plant propagating material — seeds, bulbs, tubers, cuttings, scions, suckers, rootstocks for grafting
• Cut flowers — fresh cut flowers (e.g. roses, tulips, chrysanthemums) destined for the EU require a certificate if listed in the EU schedules
• Fresh fruit and vegetables — depending on species and EU schedule; many categories of fresh fruit and vegetables require a certificate on import from third countries
• Timber and wood products — raw timber, bark, wood chips, sawdust, pellets from undebarked wood; requirements depend on the timber species and degree of processing
• Soil and growing media — soil and growing media containing organic substances are prohibited from moving from Great Britain to the EU (exceptions include unused growing media composed entirely of peat or coconut fibre)
• Used agricultural or forestry machinery and vehicles — operated for agricultural or forestry purposes

Goods exempt from the certificate requirement

According to GOV.UK, the following do not need a phytosanitary certificate (and are not subject to plant health import controls in the EU or Northern Ireland): fruits of pineapple, coconut, durian, bananas and dates; grain; plant products (such as fruit and vegetables) that have been processed and packaged to the point that they no longer pose a biosecurity risk; and composite products such as nut and seed butters containing processed fruit or vegetables. Final verification of whether a specific product requires a certificate should be carried out by checking the EU schedules or consulting APHA and a customs agent. Source: gov.uk — export or move plants and plant products from GB and NI.

EU protected zones — additional requirements

Some EU member states have protected zone status for certain harmful organisms. This means that import of certain goods into those countries requires additional annotations on the phytosanitary certificate or compliance with stricter requirements. Poland may hold protected zone status for certain organisms. Before exporting to Poland you should check the current requirements for the specific goods with the Polish importer or with APHA. Source: gov.uk — import and export plants and plant products.

How to obtain a phytosanitary certificate from APHA — step-by-step procedure

The procedure for obtaining a phytosanitary certificate from APHA involves several stages: registration as a professional operator, submission of a certificate and inspection application, an inspection by an APHA inspector, and collection of the completed certificate. Each step is described below. This article reflects the legal position as at 2026-06-06. Please consult a customs agent before taking any action.

Step 1 — Registration of the producer/exporter with APHA

Before applying for a phytosanitary certificate you must be registered with APHA as a plant producer or exporter (Plant Passport Operator or exporter). Registration is required for companies that regularly export plants and propagating material. One-off exporters must also go through APHA, but the registration pathway may differ. Contact APHA to establish the appropriate route for your business. APHA contact details: gov.uk/government/organisations/animal-and-plant-health-agency.

Step 2 — Submitting an application through the “Apply for plant export certificates and inspections” service

In England and Wales, applications for a phytosanitary certificate are made online through APHA’s “Apply for plant export certificates and inspections” service — for plants, plant products, grain, seeds, bulbs, potatoes and used agricultural or forestry machinery and vehicles. Applications for wood and wood products are made through the Forestry Commission’s timber and wood export certificates service. Businesses, charities and private citizens can use the APHA service; a paper application can be made through your local APHA inspector (for an extra fee). Exporters in Scotland and Northern Ireland apply a different way — through SASA or DAERA. Source: gov.uk — export or move plants and plant products from GB and NI.

Step 3 — Inspection by an APHA inspector

Once the application has been submitted, an APHA inspector arranges a visit to carry out an inspection of the goods and/or the production site. The inspection aims to confirm that the goods are free from regulated pests and meet the phytosanitary requirements of the destination country. The inspection may involve: visual examination of the plants, sampling for laboratory testing (where required), and verification of documentation relating to the production or treatment of the goods. The inspection result must be positive before APHA can issue the certificate.

Step 4 — Issue and collection of the phytosanitary certificate

Following a positive inspection, APHA issues the phytosanitary certificate. Most phytosanitary certificates are in paper format; electronic ePhyto certificates are available for goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. The certificate must accompany the consignment and be presented to the border control authorities (BCP) on entry into the EU. Source: gov.uk — export or move plants and plant products from GB and NI.

Related internal links

When exporting plants from the UK to Poland you may also wish to familiarise yourself with related procedures:

• CHED-PP controls for plants imported into the UK — UK border controls for plants imported from the EU
• BTOM UK border controls — the UK border control system post-Brexit
• IPAFFS plant import registration — registering plant consignments in the IPAFFS system on import into the UK
• Export Health Certificate for food — the equivalent document for exporting animal-derived food from the UK to the EU
• customs handling for plant exports from the UK — our customs services for exporting goods from the UK

Costs and timescales — how much does it cost and how far in advance should you apply

A phytosanitary certificate from APHA is not free. APHA charges fees for the inspection and issue of the document. The level of fees depends on the type of goods, the number of line items, the duration of the inspection and any laboratory testing required. Current APHA fees for phytosanitary export services are published on gov.uk. Below we describe the cost structure and recommended application timescales.

APHA fees for a phytosanitary certificate

APHA charges fees covering: an application fee, inspection costs (inspector's time plus travel costs), any laboratory testing costs for samples, and the document issuance fee. Higher rates may apply for inspections outside standard working hours (evenings, weekends) or on an urgent basis. Current APHA fee rates should be checked directly on gov.uk or by contacting APHA — rates are updated regularly. Source: gov.uk/government/organisations/animal-and-plant-health-agency.

Timescales — when to apply for a phytosanitary certificate

Apply in good time, allowing for arranging the inspection and, where needed, laboratory testing of samples or growing season inspections required by some destination countries. During seasonal export peaks (e.g. spring transplants, flowers for the festive season) or for goods requiring laboratory testing, lead times may be longer. The validity of an issued phytosanitary certificate is limited — the document must accompany a specific consignment and cannot be used repeatedly for different shipments.

Additional costs for the importer in the EU

The importer in Poland must allow for the cost of the border control (BCP) carried out by PIORiN or other competent authorities. A consignment of regulated plants and plant products from a third country is notified with a CHED-PP (Common Health Entry Document for Plants and Plant Products) in the TRACES NT system. The cost of the control is borne by the importer. If a consignment is held due to irregularities in the phytosanitary certificate or detection of harmful organisms, the exporter bears the risk of the goods being returned or destroyed. Source: gov.uk — import and export plants and plant products.

Prohibited plants and regulated pests — export restrictions

Not all plants can be freely exported from the UK to Poland/EU. Some goods are subject to bans or strict restrictions due to the risk of transmitting regulated pests or quarantine organisms. These restrictions derive from both EU law (Regulation 2016/2031) and UK Plant Health provisions.

EU quarantine organisms — examples

The EU maintains lists of quarantine organisms (Union quarantine pests — UQPs) whose introduction into EU territory is prohibited or strictly restricted. Examples of organisms that may affect exports from the UK to the EU:

• Xylella fastidiosa — a bacterium affecting olive trees, grapevines, lavender and other plants; its presence triggers import bans on host plants
• Asian longhorn beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) — a beetle attacking hardwoods; regulates the import of timber and live trees
• Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) — an ash pest; restricts the import of ash timber and live ash trees
• Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) — a tomato virus; affects requirements for the import of tomato seeds and plants
• Potato cyst nematodes — potato nematodes; restrictions on potatoes and soil

How to check whether your exported goods are subject to restrictions

Before planning an export of plants from the UK to Poland you should: (1) check the current lists of EU regulated harmful organisms in Regulation 2016/2031 and its implementing acts, (2) consult APHA regarding the requirements for the specific plant species to the specific EU country, (3) contact the Polish importer and PIORiN to confirm the current import requirements. The lists are updated regularly — bans and restrictions may change in response to new phytosanitary threats. Source: gov.uk — import and export plants and plant products.

The difference between a phytosanitary certificate and a CHED-PP

A phytosanitary certificate and a CHED-PP are two different documents, often confused by those unfamiliar with plant control procedures. The difference is explained below.

Phytosanitary certificate — an export document

A phytosanitary certificate is issued by the government authority of the exporting country — in the case of the UK, by APHA. It confirms that the consignment meets the phytosanitary requirements of the destination country. It is a document accompanying the consignment sent from the UK to Poland/EU. It is issued before dispatch, following a positive APHA inspection. The exporter is responsible for obtaining it.

CHED-PP — a border control document on import into the UK

A CHED-PP (Common Health Entry Document for Plants and Plant Products) is a document used on import of plants into the UK from third countries — completed by the UK importer in the IPAFFS system (Import of products, animals, food and feed system) before the planned shipment. CHED-PP is a document on the UK border control (BCP) side and has no connection with the Polish import of goods from the UK. When exporting from the UK to Poland, the UK exporter provides the phytosanitary certificate, and the Polish (or EU) importer notifies the consignment (EU CHED-PP) in the TRACES NT system and is subject to inspection at the EU border control post. More about CHED-PP: CHED-PP controls for plants imported into the UK. More about IPAFFS: IPAFFS plant import registration.

Comparison table — phytosanitary certificate vs CHED-PP

Summary of current official requirements

Since Brexit, UK exporters sending plants, propagating material, cut flowers, fruit, vegetables, timber and other plant products to Poland or the EU must obtain a phytosanitary certificate issued by the relevant UK authority (APHA in England and Wales, the Forestry Commission for wood; SASA in Scotland; DAERA in Northern Ireland). The document is issued following an inspection of the goods. In England and Wales, applications are made online through the “Apply for plant export certificates and inspections” service. APHA charges fees for the inspection and issue of the certificate. Not all plant products require a certificate — this depends on the type of goods and the EU requirements. Some plants and plant products are subject to bans or restrictions due to regulated harmful organisms. A phytosanitary certificate (export from the UK) is a separate document from a CHED-PP (import into the UK). This article reflects the legal position as at 2026-06-06. Please consult a customs agent before taking any action.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

Does every export of plants from the UK to Poland require a phytosanitary certificate?

Not every shipment. The requirement for a phytosanitary certificate depends on the type of goods and the destination country's (Poland/EU) requirements. Categories that require a certificate include: live plants, propagating material (seeds, bulbs, seedlings), cut flowers, fruit, vegetables, timber and bark (exempt goods include grain and certain fruits and processed products). Certain processed plant products and packaging materials are also subject to the rules. The precise EU requirements are set out in EU Regulation 2016/2031. Source: gov.uk/government/collections/importing-and-exporting-plants-and-plant-products.

Who issues the phytosanitary certificate in the UK and how long does it take?

In England and Wales, phytosanitary certificates are issued by APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) — an executive agency of Defra; certificates for wood and wood products are issued by the Forestry Commission. In Scotland the competent body is SASA (part of the Scottish Government), and in Northern Ireland DAERA. The goods are inspected before the document is issued. Lead times depend on the type of goods and when the inspection can take place, so apply in good time. Source: gov.uk/guidance/export-or-move-plants-and-plant-products-from-great-britain-and-northern-ireland.

What is the difference between a phytosanitary certificate and a CHED-PP?

A phytosanitary certificate is a document issued by the exporting country's authority (e.g. APHA in the UK) confirming that the goods meet the phytosanitary requirements of the destination country. It accompanies the consignment on export. A CHED-PP (Common Health Entry Document for Plants and Plant Products) is a document completed on import of plants into the UK — it is part of the UK border control procedure conducted by UK authorities at Border Control Posts (BCPs). These are two entirely separate procedures: one concerns export from the UK to the EU, the other concerns import into the UK from third countries.

Which plants are prohibited from export from the UK due to regulated pests?

Certain plants and plant products are subject to export bans or require additional certificates if they are associated with regulated pests or quarantine organisms. These include Xylella fastidiosa (a bacterium affecting olive trees and grapevines), the Asian longhorn beetle and the Emerald ash borer. The detailed list of EU regulated quarantine pests (Union quarantine pests) is set out in EU Regulation 2016/2031. Source: gov.uk/government/collections/importing-and-exporting-plants-and-plant-products.

How much does an APHA phytosanitary certificate for export from the UK cost?

APHA charges fees for inspection and issuance of a phytosanitary certificate. The amount depends on the type of goods, the size of the consignment and the inspection time. Current APHA fees for phytosanitary export services are published on gov.uk. Additional charges may apply for urgent inspections (outside standard hours) or re-inspections following a non-compliance finding. Source: gov.uk/government/organisations/animal-and-plant-health-agency.

Official sources

• Import and export plants and plant products — gov.uk Defra/APHA — GOV.UK
• Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) — gov.uk — GOV.UK
• Export or move plants and plant products from Great Britain and Northern Ireland — gov.uk — GOV.UK