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Phytosanitary certificate and import permit

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

Issued by

Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (DPPQS)

Validity

Per consignment

Time

Digital e-Phyto since 15 June 2017

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 DPPQSTo confirm 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 To confirm 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: To confirm
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: To confirm

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.

Common questions

What is a phytosanitary certificate?

A certificate that agricultural commodities for export have been inspected as the importing country requires under the International Plant Protection Convention.

Is the certificate digital?

Yes. DPPQS began issuing e-Phyto to all countries on 15 June 2017.

Do imports need a permit?

For commodities in the PQ Order's schedules, importers must apply in advance for an import permit. The shipment also needs a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country.

How much does it cost?

We could not confirm the fee on an official page, so it is shown as To confirm.

Is Govt License a government website?

No. Govt License is an independent guide. We link to the official government portals where you apply and pay. Always confirm the fee on the portal before paying.