Ukraine ceases to issue paper phytosanitary certificates for exports to the EU

To comply with the requirements of phytosanitary measures of the European Union, from November 1, Ukraine will cease issuing paper phytosanitary certificates and phytosanitary certificates for re-export to EU countries, the press service of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection of Ukraine reports.

"Exporters of regulated objects who will import goods to EU countries will additionally be provided with the number and date of the issued electronic phytosanitary certificate (ePhyto)," the message adds.

Such changes are related to Ukraine's accession to the international centralized information system ePhyto HUB, which provides for the exchange of phytosanitary certificates and phytosanitary certificates for re-export.

In accordance with Article 46 of the Law of Ukraine "On Plant Quarantine", the originals of the phytosanitary certificate and the phytosanitary certificate for re-export are issued by the state phytosanitary inspector:

• in paper form – if required by phytosanitary measures of the country of destination;
• in electronic form – in other cases, including at the request of the person.

The European Commission sent a letter to the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection of Ukraine notifying that in the case of transferring phytosanitary certificates through the ePhyto HUB system to the TRACES NT system, EU member states accept only electronic phytosanitary certificates.

"Considering the notification of the European Commission, in the case of issuing phytosanitary certificates in electronic form using the automated information system "Phytosanitary Inspection System" integrated with the ePhyto solution, the provision of such certificates in paper form when importing goods to EU countries is not advisable," the State Consumer Protection Service notes.