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If you export certain types of regulated wood, wood products and bark from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to other parts of the world, youll need to register as a professional operator and then apply for phytosanitary certificates from the Forestry Commission.

Phytosanitary certificates can confirm that the material:

• has been inspected
• is considered free from quarantine (and other) pests
• conforms to the plant health regulations of the importing country

Check DAERA guidance for wood exports from Northern Ireland.

Check Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) guidance if you want to export plants and plant products from Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Register as a professional operator

Before you can apply for an export phytosanitary certificate to export wood from Great Britain, you must first register as a professional operator with the Forestry Commission.

Check the plant health regulations in the destination country

After you have registered as a professional operator, check the plant health regulations of the country you plan to export to.

Select the country you plan to export to on the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) website and read the phytosanitary requirements, restrictions and prohibitions information.

If the wood, wood product or bark you plan to export is regulated in that country, youll need to apply for a phytosanitary certificate from the Forestry Commission.

The Forestry Commission issues phytosanitary certificates for:

• any wood, isolated bark or non-manufactured wood products
• wood packaging material not in use (CN Code 4415) wood in the form of packaging cases, boxes, crates, drums or pallets

Most wood packaging material used to export goods must follow ISPM15 international standards.

The ISPM15 mark put on ISPM15-certified wood packaging material is a paperless form of phytosanitary certification. No additional paper certification form is needed.

Apply for a phytosanitary certificate

Users of the online service can:

• sign-up to use the secure service
• submit applications for phytosanitary certificates online
• submit supporting documentation alongside applications, so that everything for that application is in one place
• preview draft phytosanitary certificates before submitting applications
• copy previous applications to prevent re-keying repeat consignments and speed-up the application process
• review the status of applications
• access and maintain a record of all applications created within the system
• withdraw applications

To be able to sign-up to the online service:

1. You will first need to be registered as a professional operator with the Forestry Commission or authorised by your organisations professional operator to use this system. Therefore, you will need to have your organisations professional operator reference number available to complete the sign-up process (first use only).

2. You will need to have a Forestry Commission credit account and know the FC credit account number assigned for your organisation. This number must be quoted on all applications. If your company does not already have a Forestry Commission credit account, an application for a credit account can be made using the following link Apply for a credit account. If you have any queries relating to FC Credit Accounts, contact the Forestry England credit account department at credit.management@forestryengland.uk

Once your organisations registered professional operator identification number has been successfully validated you will be able to sign in and out of the system for future applications using your email address and password only.

If you are the registered professional operator signing-up to the Apply for timber and wood export certificates, and your six-digit professional operator number and email address matches those of your professional operator registration, you will be automatically validated to use the export certificate system on first use.

If you are not the registered professional operator signing up to use the Apply for timber and wood export certificates, the registered professional operator must verify your identity. When first signing up to the Apply for timber and wood export certificates you will be asked to complete a user profile. If the unique professional operator number has been entered correctly into the profile, the professional operator will be sent a verification email with instructions on how to validate the identity of the applicant.

If you encounter any issues with signing-up to the online service, contact plant.health@forestrycommission.gov.uk

If you do not need phytosanitary certificates regularly, or if the online system is unavailable, you can use the paper export plant health phytosanitary certificate application form.

Giving notice and inspections

When you apply for a phytosanitary certificate, youll need to let the Forestry Commission know how you intend to move your goods.

Make sure you apply for your phytosanitary certificate:

• 5 working days before you export sea freight
• 2 working days before you export air freight

This is so the Forestry Commission can consider your application, arrange an inspection and prepare a certificate. If you do not apply with enough time, your export may be delayed.

Some consignments might need inspections before they can be exported. For example, unprocessed wood because it can be a higher risk of introducing pests and diseases.

Fees

Youll be charged fees for phytosanitary certificates, and for inspections if you need one.

Fees in England, Scotland and Wales

Youll be charged 21 for each phytosanitary certificate issued.

If your consignment needs an inspection, youll be charged based on how long the inspection takes. The minimum amount youll be charged for an inspection is 37.80.

After 1 hour of inspection time, youll be charged an additional 10.50 for each additional 15 minutes.

For example, if your inspection takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, youll be charged 48.30. If your inspection only takes 45 minutes, youll still be charged 37.80.

Fees for exporting to Northern Ireland: Movement Assistance Scheme

If your business is moving regulated wood and bark products from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, you do not need to pay for inspecting and certifying goods. These fees are covered by the governments Movement Assistance Scheme.

What to do with the phytosanitary certificate

After youve been issued with an export phytosanitary certificate for your consignment, you must then send it to the importer or their agent receiving your consignment.

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