G/SPS/N/ZAF/66  
 
9 April 2020  
(20-2804) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member:  SOUTH AFRICA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  NPPOZA: Directorate Inspection services  
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, 
where applicable):  Horticultural fresh produce, cut flowers, plants and other 
plant-based commodities.  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent rele vant or practicable : 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:   
5. Title of the notified document:  Temporary changes to certification requirements for 
imported fresh produce, cut flowers, plants and other plant based commodities . 
Language(s):  . Number of pages:   
6. Description of content:  To provide for alternative arrangements to the use of original 
paper phytosanitary certificates due the impacts of COVID -19 on airfreight and courier 
mail services.  
Who does this notice affect?  
1. Importers of horticultural fresh produce, cut flowers, plants  and other plant -based 
commodities.  
2. The exporting NPPO that has asked to use alternatives to original paper PCs.  
3. This temporary change is relevant to the use of original paper phytosanitary 
certificates (PCs) and it does not apply to countries that already provide original PCs 
via ePhytos or with the consignments . 
Interim arrangements  
1. Where an importer is unable to present the original paper PC from the exporting 
country NPPO as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic, our inspection officers will 
instead accept the electronic copy of the PC as lodged by the  exporting NPPO  through 
our contacts provided hereunder.  
2. Our inspection officers may in some cases request verification of documentation 
directly from the exporting NPPO or use an online tool provided by  the 
exporting  NPPO.  
3. Where a paper original is issued by the exporting NPPO prior export, we recommend 
that it is attached to the goods and/or consignments to minimise potential delays at 
inspection  G/SPS/N/ZAF/66  
 
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  7. Objective and rationale: [  ] food safety, [  ] animal health, [  ] plant protection, 
[X] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [  ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.  The objective of this policy is to promote safe trade under 
the impacts of COVID -19. 
The COVID -19 pandemic is impacting the movement of airfreight and courier mail in 
multiple countries. This has led some exporting country NPPOs to advise South Africa that 
they are unable to provide original paper -based phytosanitary certificates with import 
consignments of a rang e of imported fresh produce, cut flowers, plants, plant products, 
and other regulated articles, as per our requirements.  
This temporary arrangement will be in place until 1 July 2020. Stakeholders will be notified 
of any extension to this arrangement close r to this date.  
8. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) :  
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :  
[X] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) : 
ISPM 07, ISPM 12, ISPM 20 and ISPM 23.  
[ ] None  
Does this proposed regulation co nform to the relevant international standard?  
[X] Yes   [  ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:  While international standards require exporting countries to 
issue original phytosanitary certificates it is up to importing countries how they process 
such. South Africa's interim arrangements require the exporting country to provide a 
mechanism to verify copies if required by our inspecting officers.  
9. Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  None.   
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : 10 April 2020  
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) :  
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [  ] Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm /yy): 9 April 2020  
[X] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [  ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) :  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [  ] National Notification 
Authority, [X]  National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address 
(if available) of other body:   
NPPOZA: Directorate Inspection Services  
E-mail: TankisoA@Dalrrd.gov.za   
KhulisoM@Dalrrd.gov.za   
GilbertM@Dalrrd.gov.za   
Website: http://www.daff.gov.za  G/SPS/N/ZAF/66  
 
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  13. Text(s) available from: [  ] National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
NPPOZA: Directorate Inspection Services  
E-mail: TankisoA@Dalrrd.gov.za   
KhulisoM@Dalrrd.gov.za   
GilbertM@Dalrrd.gov.za   
Website: http://www.daff.gov.za