Phytosanitary Certificate

Definition

An official certificate issued by the national plant protection organization of the exporting country, attesting that plants, plant products, or regulated articles comply with the importing country's phytosanitary requirements. While most commonly associated with agricultural shipments, phytosanitary certificates may be required for wooden packaging materials (pallets, crates, dunnage) used in time-critical logistics. ISPM 15 is the international standard for wood packaging, requiring heat treatment or fumigation and marking with the ISPM 15 stamp.