Plant diseases and pests can be introduced during international trade in plants, plant products or other objects. Such harmful organisms run the risk of spreading uncontrollably in a new environment and causing major economic damage. For these reasons, international trade in this area is subject to strict phytosanitary monitoring.

Therefore, if you wish to export plants, plant products and other objects to countries outside the European Union (EU), you will require the following prior to export

• a phytosanitary certificate (PGZ)
• and, if applicable, one or more pre-export certificates (VAZ)
• or, in the case of import from a third country with subsequent export to a third country, a phytosanitary certificate for re-export.

After prior inspection, compliance with the phytosanitary import requirements of the respective country of destination is confirmed with the PGZ / VAZ.

You must apply for one or more VACs at the respective place of origin if

• your consignment consists of partial consignments originating from areas of different phytosanitary services of the federal states / EU member states or
• the origin of your consignment is not in the same area of responsibility of a phytosanitary service as the place where the necessary treatment of the consignment must be carried out.

The VAZ serve as the basis for the PGZ, which you can apply for from the responsible official phytosanitary service in the federal state.

If the inspection is successful, both of these documents will confirm that the phytosanitary requirements of the respective importing country have been met.