Import of Plants and Plant Products

The rules for importing plants and plant products from countries outside the EU stipulate that it is not permitted to import plants, seeds, fruits, and other plant products from travels in countries outside the EU, without these being accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.

This also applies to travellers who bring plants and plant products in their luggage; similarly, the rules also apply to smaller quantities of plants and plant products.

The only exceptions to these rules are fruits of pineapple, coconut, banana, durian, and date, which can be freely imported.

If you bring plants for planting, including certain types of seeds for sowing, from countries outside the EU, these must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate and declared for import. The goods will then be inspected by the Agriculture Agency. Please be aware that there are costs associated with the import inspection.

If you bring fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, or other living plant parts that are not intended for planting, from countries outside the EU, there will still be a requirement for a phytosanitary certificate, but the products do not need to be declared for import.

Additionally, the rules mean that several types of plants for planting are subject to an import ban.

The rules are due to an EU regulation, known as the Plant Health Regulation, which aims to protect our natural and cultural landscapes as well as plant production against serious diseases and pests that can accompany plant products.