SWISS Perishables Shipment of Plants and Plant products Header

SWISS Perishables

Shipments of Plants and Plant Products

SWISS Perishables Shipments of Plants and Plant Products Content

Phytosanitary Check

Most living plants and all living (fresh) parts of plants like cut flowers, fruits, vegetables, leaves or seeds as well as certain types of woods with origin in a non-EU country imported into or transiting through Switzerland are subject to phytosanitary checks. The checks have to be conducted by a government expert of the “Plant Protection Service”. Additionally, the freight must be accompanied by a Plant Health Certificate issued by the authorities in the country of origin/departure.

Excluded from the requirements above are the following fruits:

  • Banana 
  • Dates
  • Durian
  • Pineapple
  • Coconut

TRACES Registration

All shipments of plants and plant products from non-EU countries intended for import to CH and EU must be registered in the TRACES (Trade Control and Expert System). Transit shipments will be registered by the handling agent in ZRH.

Embargoes

The following products are banned from import into Switzerland or transit to the EU from non-EU countries (non-exhaustive list):

  • Soil
  • Plants (except fruits) of Citrus, Vines and Potato

For more information see: Plant Health (admin.ch)

CITES Regulations

Plants and plant materials that are subject to CITES regulations (e.g. orchids, cacti, certain woods) must be covered by a CITES permit and be presented to the plant protection officer.

Additional Documentation

An import licence issued by the Section "Imports and Exports" of the Department of Agriculture in Bern may be required for certain plant products. For more information see: Information regarding the import of agricultural products (admin.ch)