How to get a phytosanitary certificate in Lithuania: 5 steps and 5 working days
A phytosanitary certificate confirms that goods of plant origin have been inspected and meet the phytosanitary requirements of the importing country – they are free of pests and diseases. Without it, cargo will not be admitted at the border of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan or any other EAEU country, and returning it from Central Asia costs more than the transport itself. So the question "is a certificate needed?" is settled on day one, not after loading.
Which cargo needs it
The requirement is determined by the HS code and the destination country. Typical cases are timber and wood products, grain, seeds, seedlings and flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables, animal feed and some processed plant products. A certificate may also be needed not for the goods but for the packaging: untreated wooden pallets and crates going to EAEU countries must be marked to the ISPM 15 standard or accompanied by a certificate. We maintain the exact list according to EAEU Decision No. 318, and the HS code check shows in seconds whether your code falls under it.
Who issues it and how long it takes
In Lithuania phytosanitary certificates are issued by the State Plant Service under the Ministry of Agriculture. Applications are filed electronically via the VATIS system. The standard lead time is 5 working days from filing, provided the cargo is ready for inspection and the documents are in order. UAB "Infobeta" is entered in the Lithuanian phytosanitary register, so we file applications and arrange inspections in our own name – you do not need to register in the system or visit the service.
Five steps
1. HS code and destination country. From these we determine whether a certificate is needed and what additional requirements the importing country sets. For some goods Uzbekistan requires the importer to obtain an import quarantine permit in advance – we check this with the consignee before loading.
2. Documents. Commercial invoice, packing list, sender and consignee details, botanical name of the goods (where applicable), country of origin, vehicle details. If the goods are not of Lithuanian origin, a copy of the previous phytosanitary certificate may be required.
3. Application in VATIS. We file the application and agree the inspection time.
4. Inspection. A service inspector examines the cargo – usually in our warehouse near Vilnius, where the consignment waits for consolidation. Samples are taken for laboratory testing if required. While the cargo is in the warehouse, the first 1–3 days are free for regular clients, so certification normally adds no storage cost.
5. Certificate. The issued original travels with the cargo; we send a copy in advance to the consignee and their customs broker. The certificate is valid for a limited period from issue, so we align the departure date so that it does not expire on the way.
Most common mistakes
The consignee name on the certificate differs from the invoice or CMR. Wooden packaging without the ISPM 15 mark, although the goods themselves need no certificate. Goods loaded before the inspector has seen them, so the certificate can no longer be issued. A certificate issued to one consignee while the cargo is split between several. Each of these means at least a week's delay, which is why we plan the certificate together with the loading date, not after it.
Veterinary certificates
For goods of animal origin – cheese, meat products, confectionery fats, feed additives – the equivalent veterinary certificate is issued by the State Food and Veterinary Service. The procedure is similar, but the requirements for the producer are stricter: the company must be on the EAEU list of approved exporters. We check this too before accepting an order.
Service: certificates and customs formalities · Warehouse: warehousing in Vilnius