Part of AVA's mission is to safeguard the health of plants in Singapore. In this regard, we need to minimise any negative impact that exotic pests and plant diseases can have on our plants as well as the environment. We understand that many people travelling overseas may bring back with them plants, plant cuttings and seeds. You can help safeguard plant health in Singapore by adhering to the below-mentioned guidelines on imports of planting materials from overseas:
This certificate is required for import of the above planting materials from overseas. It certifies the plants or plant products are pest free. It is normally issued by the Agriculture Department from the country of origin of the plant. Please check NPPO Contact Points from the following website: http://www.ippc.int/IPP/En/nppo.jsp
CITES Permit
This permit is required when you bring in plants that are protected under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora) from overseas. The list of CITES protected species and where a traveller could apply for this permit form overseas are available from the following website: http://www.cites.org
Please refer to the following for more information:
With effect from 1 December 2007, phytosanitary certificate is waived for travellers who bring in the following small quantities of planting materials from West Malaysia:
| Plants |
: |
3 plants without potting media per person |
| Seeds |
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250 gram per person |
A phytosanitary certificate is required for any quantity in excess of the above.
Travellers who bring in planting materials without phytosanitary certificate or CITES permit, or in excess of the exempted quantities and without the necessary documents from West Malaysia, will have their planting materials detained by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) or Customs officers. ICA will issue a receipt to the traveller so that the latter can contact AVA to claim the plants.
Travellers may claim the plants from AVA if the plants are not endangered species and are free from pests and diseases. AVA may carry out disinfestation treatments on the imported plants before they are released to the owners. The service fee for the above inspection and treatments is between $12 and $50 and an additional $11 import permit fee will also be imposed.
Before travelling to Singapore, it is always advisable to check the import conditions for plants that individual travellers may bring in. For the latest import conditions for plants, please click here.
Alternatively, travellers can also contact AVA for further information.
Plant Regulatory Branch - Plant Health
Sembawang Research Station
Lorong Chencharu
Singapore 769194
Tel: (65) 67519842 and (65) 67519843
Fax: (65) 67582979
E-mail: ava_phytosanitary@ava.gov.sg
Operating Hours:
| Mon - Thur |
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8.30 am - 6.00 pm |
| Fri |
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8.30 am - 5.30 pm |
| Sat |
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8.30 am - 1.00 pm |
| Sun and Public Holidays |
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