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The various steps involved in export inspection and certification of plants and
plant products is outlined in <flow chart-3>.
1. Registration of Application
The exporter or his agent shall submit an application in
Appendix-5 in duplicate to officer-in-charge of concerned PQ station
at the designated port through which he intends to export or to the concerned inspecting
and certifying authority notified vide
Notification 8-97/91-PP.I, dated 26th November 1993 issued by the
Ministry of Agriculture as reproduced in
Appendix-1 sufficiently in advance or at least 2-3 days prior to
the actual date of shipment of consignment. However in the case of export of perishable
commodities such as cut flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables, the above conditions
may not apply. Also in the case of export of seed consignments such applications
are filed 8-10 days prior to actual date of shipment. The application shall be accompanied
by a copy of invoice, packing list, shipping/airway bill, letter of credit or trade
agreement or purchase order, export license (if applicable) and fumigation certificate,
if any. Besides these a copy of permit issued by the importing country in case of
export of seeds/propagating plant material and wild life clearance certificate if
the export is covered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) for the prohibited
or restricted list of plants under CITES). On receipt of the application PQ officer
shall scrutinize the application and if found complete in all respects shall register
the application and assess the inspection fee. The applications made in respect
of export/import-prohibited consignments are withheld or refused for issuance of
PSC and also applications made in respect of preserved or pickled or frozen plant
products. The exporter or his agent shall pay the inspection fee at the prescribed
rates in
Appendix-2 (letter No. 16-10/58-PPS dated 21st September 1960 issued
by Ministry of Agriculture) On specific request from the exporter or his agent,
the consignment may be inspected at places outside PQ station on payment of Rs.
10/- per visit towards outside inspection charges within municipal limits of town
or corporation limits of city as the case may be. Further the exporter or his agent
shall meet the traveling and dearness allowances of the PQ officer and staff deputed
for inspection outside city or town as per their entitlement and also accommodation
charges, if any. The above charges are paid in advance or immediately upon completion
of the tour but before issuance of PSC. The inspection fee shall not be refunded
in the case of cancelled or rejected application. The exporter shall abide by the
terms and conditions stipulated by the inspecting and certifying authority. On receipt
of inspection fees, a quarantine order is issued by the officer-in-charge of concerned
PQ station for presenting the consignment for inspection by the applicant.
2. Inspection / Sampling & Laboratory testing
The exporter or his agent shall present the consignment either at the office of
PQ station or arrange for inspection at his premises or present the containers at
any other approved place on scheduled date and time of inspection as per the quarantine
order issued. The exporter or his agent shall provide necessary transport, labour
and other facilities for opening, sampling, repacking, sealing etc.
Sampling of seed for propagation shall be in accordance with the International Seed
Testing Association (ISTA) Rules, 1976. Sampling of cereals, pulses, oil seeds and
others for consumption as per Bureau of Indian Standards (IS: 2814/1978 and IS:
3714/1978). The exporter or his agent shall associate with inspecting officer while
undertaking inspection. The PQ officer deputed for inspection shall draw appropriate
size of sample for detailed laboratory testing. The samples of grain, pulses, dry
fruits, nuts, spices, fresh fruits & vegetables, cut flowers, coffee beans,
groundnut, turmeric etc., that are meant for consumption are visually inspected
with the help of illuminated magnifier specifically for live insect infestation.
Pulses are usually subjected to X-Ray examination.
3. Fumigation & treatment of consignment
In the event of live insect infestation is noticed, the exporter or his agent shall
arrange for fumigation of consignment or container at his premises or any other
approved place by an approved pest control operator under the supervision of PQ
officer. The exporter or his agent shall submit an undertaking for the purpose in
Appendix-6 along with payment of supervision charges of Rs.25/-
per container. The exporter or his agent shall provide necessary transport/labour
facilities, if the fumigation is carried out in the fumigation chambers at PQ station
and pay fumigation or disinfestation or disinfection charges as prescribed above.
The exporter or his agent shall pay storage charges @ Rs. 10/- per cu. m. space
per day or part thereof, if the consignment is not immediately removed after degassing
and re-inspection. The consignments shall be re-inspected after degassing of consignment
or container to ensure freedom from live infestation.
4. Issuance/Rejection of Phytosanitary Certificate Phytosanitary Certificates
(PSCs) are issued in duplicate viz., original for the exporter and duplicate copy
for office record, if consignment on inspection is found to be free from quarantine
pests. However in case of re-exported consignments the PSCs are issued in re export
format prescribed under IPPC. On specific request from the exporter or his agent
PSC is re-issued after canceling the earlier original certificate to facilitate
the incorporation of corrections/ amendments, subject to the production of shipping
documents in proof thereof. Such re-issuance of PSC, for incorporating amendments
/ corrections, is done within 7-10 days from the date of issue of original certificate
and thereafter no such requests shall be entertained. The issue of PSC will be rejected
if the commodity on inspection is found to be a prohibited one or found affected
by quarantine pest or the commodity could not be fumigated to render it pest-free
as it is packed in impermeable container or packed with objectionable plant material
or contaminated with soil or noxious weed seeds or processed food containing additives
and preservatives and reasons for rejection shall immediately be communicated in
writing to the exporter or his agent under intimation to customs/port authorities.
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