Exporting plants, plant products and used farm machinery (including forestry machinery) to the EU

The UK is now subject to third country import requirements for the export of regulated plants and plant products to the EU and Northern Ireland.

The process for sending regulated plants and plant products to the EU is the same as the current process for sending them to non-EU third countries. When you export regulated plants and plant products to third countries, you need to:

  • check whether a Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) is required by contacting the plant health authority or a plant health inspector in the destination country;
  • apply for a PC from the relevant UK plant health authority before export; and
  • check if your plants require laboratory testing of samples to ensure they are free from pests and diseases or inspections during the growing season.

Controlled plant and plant products exports to the EU from the UK are subject to import checks at the EU border. 
 
PCs will not be required for fruits of bananas, coconuts, dates, durian and pineapples.  Plant products such as fruit and vegetables that have been processed and packaged to the point that they no longer pose a biosecurity risk are exempt from official controls.  Composite products like nut and seed butters containing processed fruit or vegetables do not fall within plant health controls.


Exporting prohibited and high-risk plants

Since January 2021, it has not been possible to export some prohibited commodities such as GB high-risk plants and seed potatoes to the EU without a PC.

These prohibitions and requirements fall into 4 categories:

  1. High-risk plants and plant products
  2. Seed and other propagating materials
  3. Prohibited plants
  4. Used farm machinery (including forest machinery).

For movement to NI a PC must be used or an NI plant health label (NIPHL) . To use a NIPHL, operators must be authorised by the Scottish Government. NIPHL covers the following commodities:

  • Plants for planting
  • Seed potatoes
  • Used agricultural and forestry machinery
  • Seeds for planting

Refer to the Northern Ireland Trade Guidance page for further information about the NIPHL scheme. 


(1)  High-risk plants and plant products

These are plants and plant products that have been assessed by the EU as presenting a pest risk of an unacceptable level for the Union territory. See the full list of high-risk plants.

The high-risk plant list is continually reviewed by the UK and the EU. The list above will be updated when any changes occur.

1b)  From 11 April 2022, the EU import requirements for plants for planting changed. This means that any plants for planting, including house plants, moving from GB to the EU are required to have been grown in registered nurseries before they can be certified for a PC. If you require a PC for house plants please contact HMU. 

All other regulated plants and plant products in passengers' personal luggage are prohibited from entry into the EU, unless accompanied by a certified PC. Further information can be found on the EU’s website. 

(2)  Seed and other propagating material requiring third country equivalence

You cannot export seed potatoes to the EU. See the Plant Varieties & Seeds Q&A document for more information and note that this document will be constantly updated because it is an evolving situation.

(3)  Prohibited plants

Some plants and plant products are prohibited on plant health grounds, including current EU third country prohibitions.  See the list of prohibited plants on the GOV.UK website.

(4)  Used farm machinery (including forestry machinery)

Your used agricultural, horticultural and forestry machinery and vehicles need to be issued with a PC prior to export when you are exporting to the EU and the rest of the world. This will be provided to you once the official inspector is satisfied the machinery has met the exporting country import requirements. 

For destinations outside Europe check with the plant authority in that country to confirm what conditions you have to comply with. Please ensure you receive an official document explaining the conditions for the country and how to comply. This will help UK inspectors to prepare your export correctly.

For EU bound used agricultural, forestry, horticultural machinery and vehicles contact RPIDplanthealth@gov.scot to apply for a PC. 

The Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes covered  are:

  • ex 8432 (agricultural, horticultural or forestry machinery for soil preparation or cultivation; lawn or sports-ground rollers)
  • ex 8433 53 (root or tuber harvesting machines)
  • ex 8436 80 10 (forestry machinery excludes chainsaws 8467 81 00 00)
  • ex 8701 20 90 (used tractors for semi-trailers (other than tractors of heading 8709):
  • ex 8701 91 10 (agricultural tractors and forestry tractors, wheeled, of an engine power not exceeding 18 kW)
     

Additional information

If you require more information about export requirements or wish to apply for a PC, email the Horticulture and Marketing Unit.