Page 1 of 32 
CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY 
59 Camelot Drive 
Ottawa, (Ontario), Canada 
K1A 0Y9 (Tel:  613-225-2342;  FAX:  613-228-6602) D-08-04 
EFFECTIVE DATE 
September 1, 2010 
(Original) 
Title:  Plant Protection Import Requirements for Plants and Plant Parts for Planting: P reventing 
the Entry and Spread of Regulated Plant Pests Associated with the Plants for Pla nting Pathway. 
Note: The requirements of this directive will enter  into force on September 1 st,
2010 
Subject 
This directive contains the general import requirements for plants and plant parts f or planting 
from all countries to prevent the entry and spread of regulated plant pests. Additional 
requirements specific to certain plant taxa and certain pest species may appl y. These requirements 
may be found in various pest-specific, or plant-specific policy directives. 
This policy directive was developed to consolidate, clarify and summarize Canada’s  general plant 
health import requirements for plants and plant parts for planting.  Previously, these re quirements 
were found in a number of directives and other documents and it was difficult for importers, t he 
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) staff and other stakeholders to obtain an overview of
the requirements.  This directive also provides clarification on the interpretati on of country of 
origin within the context of preventing the entry and spread of regulated plant pests and  includes a 
list of plants categorized as “Not authorized pending pest risk analysis (NAPPR A)”. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 2 of 32 Table of Contents 
Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Endorsement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Amendment Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.0 General Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.1 Legislative Authorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.2 Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.0 Specific Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.1 Regulated Pests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2 Regulated Commodities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3 Commodities not Regulated by this Directive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.4 Regulated Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.0 Import Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.1 General Requirements for Plants for Planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2 Other Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 
3.3 Country of Origin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 
3.4 Specific Requirements for Plants for Planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 
3.5 Packing Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 
3.6 Plants in Association with Forest Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 
4.0 Inspection Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 
5.0 Non-Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 
6.0 Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 
Appendix 1: Information on Environment Canada requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 
Appendix 2: List of NAPPRA plant material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 
Appendix 3: Approved Treatments for Sphagnum Moss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 
Appendix 4: United States Greenhouse Certification Program (USGCP) . . . . . . . . . . 26 
Appendix 5: Presence of regulated soil-born quarantine pests in the continental United 
States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 3 of 32 Appendix 6: Conditions for importation from the continental United States of plant 
material (other than potatoes) in association with soil and related matter..29 
Appendix 7: Houseplant for person use: Examples of eligible and non-eligible plants 32 September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 4 of 32 Review 
This directive will be reviewed every 5 years unless otherwise needed.  For further information or 
clarification, please contact the CFIA. 
Endorsement 
Approved by: 
                                                       
Chief Plant Health Officer 
Amendment Record 
Amendments to this directive will be dated and distributed as outlined in the distribution be low. 
Distribution 
1. Directive mail list (Regions, PHRA, USDA) 
2. Provincial Government, Industry (determined by Author) 
3. National Industry Organizations (determined by Author) 
4. Internet 
Introduction 
The importation of plants and plant parts from all countries of origin present a potential  threat to 
Canada’s plant resources, environment, and economy.  Trade in plants for planting is a common 
pathway by which numerous plant pests could be introduced and spread within Canada.  Other 
primary pathways for the introduction of plant pests include: soil and related matter , soil-free 
growing media that is associated with plants for planting and packing materials.
In the past, many plants for planting were imported from off-continent sources without 
undergoing a formal Pest Risk Analysis (PRA). Historically, this plant mate rial was imported in 
relatively low volumes, and from a very limited number of known, traditional sources in Europe . 
However, in recent decades, Canada and other countries have developed a large number of new 
trading partners and the volume of plant imports from both new and traditional sources has been
increasing. The pest risk associated with these new pathways should be evaluated befor e permits 
to import are issued. 
Note: The CFIA is currently developing a policy to regulate plants that could be conside red as 
pests because of their invasive nature. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 5 of 32 Scope This directive provides an overview of the main plant protection requirements that 
Canadian importers and foreign exporters must comply with prior to importing 
plant material to Canada. This policy focusses on plants for planting as a potential 
pathway for regulated plant pests and does not cover the regulation of plant taxa as 
invasive alien species. Other directives for specific commodities, pests and ori gins 
may be applicable.  This directive is to be used as a general guide for Canadian 
importers, foreign exporters, shippers and brokers, CFIA inspectors,  Canada 
Border Services Agency and National Plant Protection Organizations. 
References CFIA, 2008. Plant Health Glossary of Terms, 
 www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/glosterme.shtml 
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 4 -  Requirements
for the Establishment of Pest Free Areas .1995 Rome, FAO 
ISPM No. 6 - Guidelines for Surveillance.1997 Rome, FAO 
 
ISPM No. 10 -  Requirements for the Establishment of Pest Free Places of 
Production and Pest Free Productions Sites. 1999.  Rome, FAO  
ISPM No. 14 -  The Use of Integrated Measures in a Systems Approach for Pest 
Risk Management. 2002, Rome, FAO, 2002 
ISPM No. 19 - Guidelines on Lists of Regulated Pests. 2003, Rome, FAO 
ISPM No. 11 - Pest Risk Analysis for Quarantine Pests Including Analysis of 
Environmental Risks and Living Modified Organisms. 2004, Rome, FAO 
ISPM No. 5 -  Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms. Rome, (updated annually). 
ISPM No. 2  - Framework  for Pest Risk Analysis.2007, Rome, FAO 
Regulatory Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (RSPM) No. 24 -  Integrated Pe st 
Risk Management Measures for the Importation of Plants for Planting into NAPPO 
Member Countries. 2005, NAPPO 
RSPM No. 5 - NAPPO Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms. 2009, NAPPO 
D-94-14: Permit to Import Requirements for Plant Material from the Continental 
United States. 
D-95-26: Phytosanitary Requirements for Soil and Related Matter, Alone or in 
Association with Plants. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 6 of 32 D-96-20: Canadian Growing Media Program, Prior Approval Process and Import 
Requirements for Plants Rooted in Approved Media. 
D-97-04: Application, Procedures, Issuance and Use of a Permit to Import Under 
the Plant Protection Act. 
D-01-02: Import Requirements for Packages of Flower Bulbs Purchased in The 
Netherlands by Travellers Returning to or Visiting Canada. 
D-02-12: Import Requirements of Non-Manufactured Wood and Other 
Non-Propagative Wood Products, Except Solid Wood Packaging Material, From 
All Areas Other Than the Continental United States. 
List of Pests Regulated by Canada: 
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/listpespare.shtml 
Prohibited Plants and Plant Material from Countries Other than the Continental 
United States: 
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/oper/prohibintere.shtml 
This document supercedes the following: 
D-02-02, Plant protection imports requirements for rooted, or unrooted plants, 
plant parts, and plants in vitro  for planting. 
D-96-09, Plant Protection Import Requirements for Orchid Plants. 
D-01-03, Plant Protection Requirements for Importations of Houseplants Intended 
for Personal Use from the Continental United States and Hawaii. 
D-03-05 , Plant protection Phytosanitary Import Requirements for Oak ( Quercus 
spp.) Nursery Stock From Sources Outside of the Continental United States. 
D-03-04,  Plant Protection Phytosanitary Import Requirements for Maple ( Acer 
spp.) Nursery Stock From Sources Outside of the Continental United States. 
D-03-03 , Phytosanitary Import Requirements for Ash ( Fraxinus  spp.) Nursery 
Stock From Sources Outside of the Continental United States. 
D-03-10, Prohibitions and Restrictions of Importation into Canada of Decorative 
Chaenomeles  (Flowering Quince), Malus  (Apple and Crabapple), Prunus  (stone 
fruits, e.g. cherry), Pyrus  (pear) and Salix  (willow) Branches. 
Memorandum 886.1B7 , Importation of Pollen, May 4, 1987. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 7 of 32 Notice to importer No. L18A/90-03-30 , Plant protection import requirements for 
orchid plants, cuttings or tissue culture. 
Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms 
Definitions for terms used in the present document can be found in the Plant Health Glossar y of 
Terms at www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/glosterme.shtml 
1.0 General Requirements 
1.1 Legislative Authorities 
The Plant Protection Act, S.C. 1990, c.22 
The Plant Protection Regulations, SOR/95-212 
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice, Canada Gazette, Part 1 (05/13/2000) 
/2005-220 
1.2 Fees 
The CFIA is charging fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency 
Fees Notice . For information regarding fees associated with imported product, please 
contact the Import Service Centre (ISC) at 
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/imp/importe.shtml . Anyone requiring other 
information regarding fees may contact any local CFIA office or visit our Fees  Notice 
Web Site:  http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/reg/cfiaacia/feesfrais/fee sfraise.shtml .
2.0 Specific Requirements 
2.1 Regulated Pests 
A list of Canadian Regulated Pests can be found through the CFIA’s website at:           
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/listpespare.shtml 
2.2 Regulated Commodities 
• plants and plant parts for planting (including, but not limited to, nursery stock, 
greenhouse plants, houseplants, potted plants, orchid plants, artificially dwarfed 
plants (bonsai, penjing), rooted plants, in vitro/tissue culture plants, liners, cuttings,
slips, seedlings, turf (sod), living mosses, epiphytes, aerial plantlets, bulbs, corms , 
rhizomes, tubers, tuberous roots, herbaceous perennial roots, etc.); 
• certain fresh decorative branches (species listed in Section 3.4); 
• pollen intended for propagation September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 8 of 32 Note: pollen used for insect feeding is regulated by Animal Health: 
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/pol/ie-2001-3e.shtml ;
• packing material associated with plants for planting. 
Other commodity or pest-specific requirements may apply and are provided in separat e 
policy directives. For example, Chaenomeles (flowering quince), Cydonia (quince), 
Malus  (apple and crabapple), Prunus (stone fruits), Pyrus (pear), and Vitis (grapevine) 
must originate from sources approved under the CFIA’s virus certification programs  for 
fruit trees and grapevines and are subject to additional pathogen certification 
requirements. For further information, please contact, your local CFIA Office, or vi sit the 
CFIA website at http://www.inspection.gc.ca. 
2.3 Commodities not Regulated by this Directive 
NOTE: Requirements for these materials may exist in other policy directi ves.  Please 
consult AIRS for further information at 
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/imp/airse.shtml 
• cut flowers; 
• fresh decorative branches of species other than those identified specifically i n 
section 3.4 of this directive; 
• cut Christmas trees; 
• dried plant material; 
• flower bulbs intended for personal use that are purchased in The Netherlands by 
travellers returning to or visiting Canada, as per directive D-01-02; 
• bulbs and other below ground plant parts intended for consumption, 
• fresh fruit, rootcrops, and vegetables for consumption; 
• seeds for propagation (tree, shrub, flower, herb, vegetable, cereal and grain); 
• nuts and seeds for consumption; 
• sprouted seeds for consumption; 
• potatoes (for propagation and consumption); 
• pollen for purposes other than propagation (e.g. for human consumption, insect 
feeding, etc.); 
• raw wood and raw wood products (wood, logs, roots, wooden stakes, bark, bark 
chips, wood chips, mulch, hog fuel, etc.); 
• bamboo stakes; and 
• growing media. 
2.4 Regulated Areas 
All origins outside of Canada. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 9 of 32 3.0 Import Requirements: 
3.1 General Requirements for Plants for Planting 
Consignments of plants for planting must be free of regulated pests. If other pests of 
potential quarantine concern are found in a consignment, this consignment may be 
detained while the CFIA evaluates the risk posed. 
Plants for planting may also be subject to additional requirements depending on the 
species and country or region of origin. These additional requirements will be specifi ed 
on the Permit to Import (if required) and in the associated pest or commodity-specifi c 
policy directive(s). The importer must ensure that the consignment meets all Ca nadian 
Import requirements. 
Note: Houseplants imported from the Continental U.S. and Hawaii, may be exempted 
from regular documentation requirements because the risks of introducing quarantine 
pests into Canada from these commodities is considered low. Houseplants are usually 
tropical or semi-tropical ornamental plants that are grown or intended to be grown 
indoors. A list of examples of eligible and non-eligible plants is included in Appendix 7. 
In order to qualify for the exemption, the houseplants must be for personal use and must 
accompany the importer at the time of entry into Canada, in baggage or as part of 
household effects. The total number of plants must not exceed 50 houseplants. Please 
note that any specific species requirement or prohibition take precedence over the 
houseplant import requirements outlined in this directive. 
Eligible houseplants originating from the Continental U.S., do not require an import 
permit nor a phytosanitary certificate. Houseplants originating from Hawaii  do not require 
an import permit, however, the plants must be completely free from all soil, relate d matter 
and growing media, and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the
USDA, or its designate. Please note that the houseplant exemption does not apply to 
plants originating from areas that are regulated for Phytophthora ramorum . Please see D- 
01-01 for more information. 
A Permit to Import is required for all plants entering Canada from off-cont inent 
and for some plants entering Canada from the United States (U.S.).  The Canadian 
importer must apply for the permit to import well in advance of the shipping date to 
ensure it is received prior to shipping. The Permit to Import will specify how the thing 
must be  packaged, transported, handled, controlled and used to ensure the pest or 
biological obstacle to the control of a pest is not introduced into or spread within Canada. 
Please refer to the CFIA policy directive D-97-04 for more information about the 
application, procedures, issuance and use of a Permit to Import under the Plant Protection
Act. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 10 of 32 A Phytosanitary Certificate is required for all plants for planting enter ing Canada .
The Phytosanitary Certificate is issued by the National Plant Protection Or ganization 
(NPPO) in the exporting country and must list each of the plants in the consignment. The 
plants must be identified using accepted scientific names to, at least, the genus l evel. 
Certain plants for planting must be identified to species or even to cultivar (e.g. Berberis, 
plants regulated by the Convention on International Trade or Endangered Species of Wild 
Fauna and Flora (CITES), etc.). The list of plants on the Phytosanitary Certifica te should 
match the packing list for the imported material. 
When treatment is required, details must appear in the ‘Treatment’ section of the
Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the exporting country’s NPPO. 
Appropriate additional declarations must be included on phytosanitary certificates
accompanying plant material originating from areas where regulated pests a re present. A 
list of soil pests that may be associated with plant material from the U.S. can be  found in 
Appendix 5. A list of the conditions for importation from the continental United States of 
plant material (other than potatoes) in association with soil and related matter  can be 
found in Appendix 6.  Plants can also carry pests in their aerial parts and must therefore
be certified accordingly with appropriate additional declarations. 
A copy of the Phytosanitary Certificate should accompany the shipment to destination. I f 
presenting paperwork to an Import Service Centre (ISC) for clearance, a fax of the  top 
signed copy of the Phytosanitary Certificate must be sent along with the other paper work. 
Official attachments to the Phytosanitary Certificate should be limited t o those instances 
where the information required to complete the certificate exceeds the availa ble space on 
the certificate. Any attachments containing phytosanitary information must bea r the 
Phytosanitary Certificate number, and must be dated, signed and stamped by the issuing 
NPPO. The Phytosanitary Certificate should indicate, in the appropriate section, t hat the 
information belonging in that section is contained in the attachment and it should referenc e 
the attachment by a serial number or other unique identifier.  
The CFIA reviews each application for a Permit to Import that is submitted to the pe rmit 
office. As part of this review process each plant taxon on the permit application is 
categorized as being either 'Prohibited', 'Authorized' or ‘Not Authorized Pending Pe st Risk 
Analysis (NAPPRA)’. A list of plant material that has been classified as  NAPPRA can be 
found in Appendix 2. If a plant is on the NAPPRA list or is added to the NAPPRA list, 
then a Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) must be conducted to determine if the plant will be 
authorized for import, or not. Please be aware that a PRA is not automatically requir ed in 
order for a plant to be imported from a new source.  September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 11 of 32 The NAPPRA category is also used to allow the CFIA to take action in a timely ma nner 
when a plant is believed to be a pathway for the dissemination of a pest of quarantine 
concern to Canada. The CFIA may change the categorization of a plant taxa from 
‘authorized’ to either the ‘prohibited’ or ‘NAPPRA’, at its discretion. In these si tuations, 
the CFIA may amend existing permits to import in order to prevent further importati ons of 
one or more plants until a PRA can be completed. If a plant is classified as NAPPRA, t he 
CFIA will notify the applicant / importer and provide information outlining the procedures
for requesting a PRA, should the importer wish to do so. 
The PRA is used to identify the pest risk associated with the pathway, evaluate potent ial 
mitigation measures, and determine whether imports can be authorized. Ultimatel y, the 
PRA helps the CFIA to determine whether a particular plant taxon should be prohibited 
entry to Canada from particular countries, or whether acceptable phytosanitary me asures 
are available to mitigate the pest risk to an acceptable level. 
The PRA process includes: assembling a list of organisms likely to be associat ed with the 
pathway, identifying whether any of these organisms are a regulatory concern, and 
evaluating the potential economic and environmental impact. The biology of the pest 
organisms, including life cycles, geographical distributions, host ranges, habitat s and 
associations with plants for planting are all used to develop the PRA. Information about 
the commodity, including production practices, pest management strategies, modes of 
transport, and its intended end use are also essential elements. 
If a Permit to Import is issued, it will include a description of any specific phytos anitary 
measures and any additional declarations that are required. The importer must ensure  that 
the consignment is in compliance with all requirements. 
Phytosanitary risk mitigation measures at origin may include one, or more, of the 
following: 
• prohibition 
• visual inspection; 
• pest-specific sampling and testing; 
• treatment at origin; 
• pest free area, based on official survey (ISPM No. 4, ISPM No. 6); 
• pest free place of production (ISPM No. 10); 
• plants for planting produced under a systems approach at an approved facility in the 
exporting country (ISPM No. 14, RSPM No.24); 
• plants for planting produced under a clean stock program in the exporting country 
(ISPM No. 14, RSPM No.24); 
• post-entry quarantine in Canada; 
• importation limited to in-vitro  plants; 
• importation limited to seed; 
• pre-clearance by the CFIA in the country of origin (e.g. Dutch Bulbs Pre-Clearanc e 
Program). September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 12 of 32 Plants for planting that are prohibited entry to Canada, from countries other than the 
continental U.S., are listed on the CFIA website at: 
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/oper/prohibintere.shtml  
3.2 Other Requirements 
The CFIA is currently developing a policy to regulate plants that could be considered as
pests because of their invasive nature and the risk they pose to Canadian ecosystems, 
agriculture, and forestry. 
Additional requirements may also apply to plants with novel traits, including, but not 
limited to, plants produced by recombinant DNA technology, mutagenesis or wide cross. 
Please refer to:  http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/d-96-13e.shtml for 
further information. 
Environment Canada has additional requirements that may impact importations of plants
for planting, particularly plant taxa that are considered endangered or threatened, a s 
outlined by the CITES. Please refer to Appendix 1 to find out how to obtain additional 
information. 
3.3 Country of Origin 
The pest risk associated with any particular plant taxa is closely tied to the c ountry of 
origin of the plant and the pests of concern present in that country. Each country in which 
a plant is grown adds an additional layer of risk to the final product. There is currently no
international mechanism for tracking all the countries where a plant is grown, all owing for 
evaluation of these accumulated risks. 
In addition, a number of plant pests are cryptic in nature, or do not immediately induce 
symptom development on the host plants they infest, making their detection difficult at t he 
time of the certification by the exporting country's NPPO. By prescribing a defi ned period 
of active growth for plants for planting material, it is expected that a greate r number of 
pests  will be identified at origin prior to shipping, therefore reducing the risk of pest
introduction into Canada. 
CFIA considers plants for planting entering Canada  to originate from the exporting 
country, if the material: 
(1) was propagated and grown only in the exporting country, 
OR 
(2) was imported to the exporting country from a third country and actively grown in the 
exporting country for at least: September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 13 of 32 - 4 weeks (28 days) for plants that are propagated and grown exclusively in 
greenhouses; 
OR 
- 16 weeks (112 days) for plants that are grown outdoors at any time during 
production. 
Plant material is considered as actively growing when dormancy is broken. 
Plants that have not been grown in the country of export for the period of time prescribed 
above must declare all countries where they have been grown as the countries of origin. 
Plants for planting that are prohibited or restricted entry to Canada from a 
particular country cannot be imported to Canada from a third country regardless  of 
how long they are grown in that third country . Plant material that is imported into the 
U.S. (or moved into the continental U.S. from Hawaii) in association with growing media 
may never be exported to Canada, no matter how long it is grown in the U.S. unless it 
meets the requirements of the Canadian Growing Media Program (CGMP, D-96-20) at t he 
time of entry to the U.S. 
NOTE: The country of origin must be indicated on the Phytosanitary Certificate tha t 
accompanies plant material entering Canada. The country of origin of a plant for 
phytosanitary purposes may be different from its country of origin for the purposes of 
customs, duty, CITES, etc. 
NOTE: For shipments entering Canada from the U.S. the state of origin must be clear ly 
indicated on the Phytosanitary Certificate. More detailed identification of ori gin, to the 
county level, may be required by specific CFIA policy directives. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 14 of 32 3.4 Specific Requirements for Plants for Planting NOTE: Please refer to Appendix 2 for a list of NAPPRA plant material. Note: Houseplants imported from the Continental U.S. and Hawaii, may be exempted from regula r documentation requirements because 
the risks of introducing quarantine pests into Canada from these commodities is consider ed low. Houseplants are usually tropical or 
semi-tropical ornamental plants that are grown or intended to be grown indoors. A list of e xamples of eligible and non-eligible plants is 
included in Appendix 7. In order to qualify for the exemption, the houseplants must be for personal use a nd must accompany the 
importer at the time of entry into Canada, in baggage or as part of household effects. The  total number of plants must not exceed 50 
houseplants. Please note that any specific species requirement or prohibition take pre cedence over the houseplant import requirements 
outlined in this directive. Eligible houseplants originating from the Continental U.S., do not require an import permit  nor a phytosanitary certificate. Houseplants 
originating from Hawaii do not require an import permit, however, the plants must be comple tely free from all soil, related matter and 
growing media, and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the U SDA, or its designate. Please note that the 
houseplant exemption does not apply to plants originating from areas that are regulate d for Phytophthora ramorum . Please see D-01-01 
for more information. 
Commodity Originating from the Continental U.S. Originating from outside t he Continental U.S. 
3.4.1  Rooted Plants Without Soil, Related Matter Or Growing Media (plants that are free 
of soil; including bulbs, tubers and other below ground plant parts) • The exporting NPPO must ensure the plants 
for planting and associated packaging are free of all growing media, soil and related matter. •A Permit to Import is not  required unless specified in 
policy directive D-94-14. In this case, the importe r must 
obtain the Permit to Import, if required, prior to importation. 
• The consignment must be accompanied by a 
Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the USDA (or it s 
delegate).  Additional declarations attesting to fr eedom 
from regulated pests, including soil pests, may be required depending on the commodity and state of origin; OR 
•
Greenhouse plants imported under the United States 
Greenhouse Certification Program may have a United 
States Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) Export 
Certification Label, in lieu of a Phytosanitary Cer tificate 
(see Appendix 4). •A Permit to Import obtained prior to importation is  required. 
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary Cert ificate, 
which must accompany the consignment, attesting to freedom 
from soil pests including: potato wart disease ( Synchytrium 
endobioticum) , the potato cyst nematode  (Globodera 
rostochiensis  and G. pallida) and the soybean cyst nematode 
(Heterodera glycines ). 
• Additional declarations attesting to freedom from other 
regulated pests may be required depending on the co mmodity 
and country/region of origin. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 15 of 32 Commodity Originating from the Continental U.S. Originating from outside t he Continental U.S. 
3.4.2  Rooted Plants With Soil Or Related Matter Or With Soil-Free Growing Media and not imported under the Canadian Growing Media Program (includes bulbs, tubers and 
other below ground plant parts). • A Permit to Import is not required unless specifie d in 
policy directive D-94-14. The importer must obtain the 
Permit to Import, if required, prior to importation . 
• The USDA (or its delegate) must issue a Phytosanit ary 
Certificate, which must accompany the consignment. Additional declarations attesting to freedom from regulated pests, including soil pests, may be requi red 
depending on the commodity and state of origin. OR 
•
Greenhouse plants imported under the United States 
Greenhouse Certification Program may be accompanied
by a USDA-APHIS Export Certification Label, in lieu
of a Phytosanitary Certificate (see Appendix 4) .
The additional declarations for regulated soil pest s can be 
found in Appendix 5. •Prohibited .
3.4.3  Rooted Plants With Soil-Free Growing Media Imported Under the Canadian Growing Media Program (includes bulbs, 
tubers and other below ground plant parts) •The Canadian Growing Media Program (CGMP, D-96-20) allows for the entry of greenhouse-grown plants rooted in approved soil-free growing media. The program requires prior approval for the production facility and all growing media, before importation is authorized. Exporting plant production facilities must maintain conditions whereby the exported plants and approved media are free of plant pests and soil, and relatively free of  other soil-inhabiting organisms. • All material imported under the Canadian Growing 
Media Program (CGMP) must meet the conditions outlined in policy directive D-96-20. 
• The importer must obtain a Permit to Import for al l 
plants imported under the CGMP prior to importation . 
• The USDA (or its delegate) must issue a Phytosanit ary 
Certificate, which must accompany the consignment. The Phytosanitary Certificate must bear the appropr iate 
Additional Declaration for the CGMP, in addition to  any 
others that may be necessary, depending on the commodity and state of origin.  Additional Declarat ions 
attesting to freedom from specific soil pests are n ot 
required. • All material imported under the Canadian Growing M edia 
Program (CGMP) must meet the conditions outlined in  policy 
directive D-96-20. 
• The importer must obtain a Permit to Import for al l plants 
imported under the CGMP prior to importation. 
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary Cert ificate, 
which must accompany the consignment. The Phytosani tary 
Certificate must bear the appropriate Additional De claration for 
the CGMP, in addition to any others that may be nec essary, 
depending on the commodity and country/region of or igin. 
Additional Declarations attesting to freedom from s pecific soil 
pests are not required. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 16 of 32 Commodity Originating from the Continental U.S. Originating from outside t he Continental U.S. 
3.4.4 Epiphytes, aerial plantlets, and unrooted cuttings     • Epiphytes, aerial plantlets, unrooted leaf, stems 
cuttings and other plants and plant parts, which have NOT  been produced in association with 
growing media, soil or related matter are exempt from additional declarations for soil pests. 
• Examples of epiphytes include: Dendrobium ,
Polypodium , Tillandsia and many of the 
Bromeliads. 
To be considered unrooted, plants and plant parts must not exhibit any roots or root initials at the time of export. • A Permit to Import is not required unless specifie d in 
policy directive D-94-14. In this case, the importe r must 
obtain the Permit to Import, if required, prior to importation. 
• The USDA (or its delegate) must issue a Phytosanit ary 
Certificate, which must accompany the consignment. 
• Additional Declarations attesting to freedom from 
specific soil pests are not required provided the p lants 
do not have any below ground plant parts and there is no 
growing media, soil or related matter. Additional Declarations attesting to freedom from other regula ted 
plant pests may be required depending on the commodity and state of origin. 
OR 
•
Greenhouse plants and nursery stock imported under the 
Greenhouse Certification Program may have a USDA- 
APHIS Export Certification Label, in lieu of a Phytosanitary Certificate.  (see Appendix 4). • The importer must obtain a Permit to Import prior to 
importation. 
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary Cert ificate, 
which must accompany the consignment. 
• The plants and plant parts must be free of growing  media, soil 
and related matter. 
• Additional Declarations attesting to freedom from specific soil 
pests are not required provided the plants do not h ave any below 
ground plant parts. Additional Declarations attesti ng to freedom 
from other regulated plant pests may be required de pending on 
the commodity and state of origin. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 17 of 32 Commodity Originating from the Continental U.S. Originating from outside t he Continental U.S. 
3.4.5  Fresh Decorative Branches •Salix (willow) , Chaenomeles  (hawthorn), 
Cydonia  (quince), Malus  (apple and crabapple), 
Prunus  (stone fruits), Pyrus  (pear), Vitis 
(grapevine), Rutaceae (citrus), Dracaena ,
Dieffenbachia and Rhamnus (=  Frangula ). 
• Fresh decorative branches must be free of soil 
and related matter. Salix (willow) 
• A  permit to import is not required. A Phytosanita ry 
Certificate is not required unless the product orig inates 
from an area regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (see 
directive D-01-01 for details). 
Chaenomeles  (hawthorn), Cydonia  (quince), Malus  (apple 
and crabapple), Prunus  (stone fruits), Pyrus  (pear), Vitis 
(grapevine) • A Permit to Import is required. The importer must 
obtain the Permit to Import prior to importation. 
• The USDA (or its delegate) must issue a Phytosanit ary 
Certificate, which must accompany the consignment. 
• Additional declarations attesting to freedom from 
regulated plant pests, or that the product was prod uced 
under the U.S Fruit Tree Certification Program, arerequired. 
Rutaceae (citrus), Dracaena , and Dieffenbachia 
• A  permit to import is not required. A Phytosanita ry 
Certificate is not required. 
Rhamnus (=  Frangula )
• The importation of Rhamnus  into Canada is prohibited. Salix (willow) , Chaenomeles  (hawthorn), Cydonia  (quince), 
Malus  (apple and crabapple), Prunus  (stone fruits), Pyrus  (pear) 
and Vitis (grapevine) decorative branches are prohibited. 
Rutaceae (citrus), Dracaena  spp., and Dieffenbachia  spp. 
• The importer must obtain a Permit to Import prior to 
importation. 
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary Cert ificate, 
which must accompany the consignment. 
• Additional declarations attesting to freedom from regulated 
plant pests may be required depending on the commod ity and 
country/region of origin. 
Rhamnus (=  Frangula )
• The importation of Rhamnus  into Canada is prohibited. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 18 of 32 Commodity Originating from the Continental U.S. Originating from outside t he Continental U.S. 
3.4.6  Plants in-vitro 
• Plantlets must originate from mother plants 
which are free of any plant pathogens regulated by Canada. 
• Plantlets must be propagated in-vitro  in a sterile 
medium under sterile conditions that preclude the possibility of infestation with any pests of quarantine concern to Canada. 
• Plantlets must be produced and shipped in 
sealed, aseptic, transparent containers. 
•In-vitro  plants are exempt from additional 
declarations for soil pests. • A Permit to Import is not required unless specifie d in 
policy directive D-94-14. In this case, the importe r must 
obtain the Permit to Import, if required, prior to importation. 
• The USDA (or its delegate) must issue a Phytosanit ary 
Certificate, which must accompany the consignment. Additional declarations attesting to freedom from regulated plant pests may be required depending on the 
commodity and state of origin. 
OR •
Greenhouse plants and nursery stock imported under 
the Greenhouse Certification Program may have a 
USDA-APHIS Export Certification Label, in lieu of aPhytosanitary Certificate.  (see Appendix 4). • The importer must obtain the Permit to Import prio r to 
importation. 
• The exporting NPPO must issue a Phytosanitary Cert ificate, 
which must accompany the consignment. Additional declarations attesting to freedom from regulated pl ant pests may 
be required depending on the commodity and country/ region of 
origin. 
3.4.7  Pollen for propagation • The importation of pollen of Prunus spp. into Canada is 
prohibited. 
• Pollen of Chaenomeles  spp., Cydonia  spp., Malus  spp., 
Pinus  spp.and Pyrus spp.: The consignment must be 
accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate issued b y 
the USDA (or its delegate). The species from which the 
pollen is coming from must be clearly indicated. 
• The importation of pollen from genera other than t hose 
specified above is permitted. A Phytosanitary Certificate and a Permit to Import are not required . • The importation of pollen of Prunus spp., Chaenomeles  spp., 
Cydonia  spp., Malus  spp., Pinus  spp.and Pyrus spp. into 
Canada is prohibited. 
• The importation of pollen from genera other than t hose 
specified above is permitted. A Phytosanitary Certi ficate and a 
Permit to Import are not required. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 19 of 32 3.5 Packing Material (for consignments entering Canada from a country other than t he 
continental U.S.) 
Plants for planting frequently enter Canada in association with packing material  that is 
intended to protect plants during shipping and maintain moisture level. Plants must not be 
rooted in the packing material.  Approved packing materials include the following: 
• Coco peat (coconut husk pith or fibres) 
• Cork (ground cork) 
• Wood shaving, wood wool, saw dust, excelsior (or other very fine wood shavings) 
• Paper 
• Peat 
• Perlite 
• Polyacrylamide (water absorbing polymers) 
• Rice chaff  
• Vermiculite 
Other products or materials may be approved by the CFIA on a case-by-case basis. All  of 
the above materials must be free of pests, soil and related matter.  These mater ials must be 
new and will not be accepted if they have been previously used for growing, rooting or 
packing plants or plant materials.  Packing cases for shipping any regulated plant 
commodity must be new and free of soil and related matter. 
Peat is the non-viable, incompletely decomposed organic residues of plants, often mosses , 
accumulated under anaerobic, acidic conditions. 
Sphagnum moss and other mosses can only be used as a packing material if they are non- 
viable and are free of plant debris, soil and related matter; or treated according t o the 
requirements in Appendix 3. Sphagnum moss and other mosses used as packing material 
may be subjected to an inspection by the CFIA at the time of entry in Canada. 
3.6 Plants in Association with Forest Products 
Untreated bark, bark chips, wood chips, hog fuel, logs, roots, wood, wood stakes, bamboo 
stakes and any other raw wood is generally prohibited entry into Canada from all countrie s 
other than the continental U.S. and additional restrictions and declarations may be requir ed 
from those regions of the continental U.S. that are regulated for specific pests.  For  further 
information, please refer to policy directive D-02-12. 
4.0 Inspection Requirements 
Plants for planting are subject to inspection and audit sampling on arrival in Canada to 
ensure compliance with CFIA requirements, and to verify the absence of soil and regula ted 
plant pests and the practical freedom from other plant pests. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 20 of 32 The ISC may issue a Notice to Importer (NTI) which can be used to inform the local CF IA 
inspection office that a shipment of plants for planting has arrived in their region and is
available for inspection at destination. The importer is required to contact the local
inspection office and arrange for shipment inspection. The local inspection office wil l 
determine whether any particular shipment will require inspection prior to relea se, or 
whether it can be released without inspection. The shipment may not be opened, or moved 
into the production area until it has been released by a CFIA inspector. 
Some packaging and plant preparation practices may enable more efficient inspect ion, 
sampling and verification activities associated with imported plants and plant produc ts, 
which in turn could help to minimize delays at port-of-entry, damage, and subsequent loss 
to the importer. Examples may include: 
• Rooted plants without soil, woody stem plants are wrapped or packaged in an 
approved moisture-retaining packaging that can be readily removed by CFIA staff for
inspection. 
• Plant material (bulbs, tubers, etc.) are packaged in transparent plastic bags, m embranes 
or boxes with plastic window openings of a kind that can be readily opened by CFIA 
staff so as to minimize damage. 
• The wax used to prevent drying of plant tissues is transparent. 
Water retaining coating applied on roots must not be so thick that it would impede 
inspection. Packing material must be readily distinguishable from growing media . 
For further information, please contact your local CFIA Office or visit the CFIA  website at 
http://www.inspection.gc.ca. 
5.0 Non-Compliance 
Shipments that do not meet the import requirements of this directive may be refused ent ry, 
removed from Canada, or destroyed.  The importer is responsible for any and all costs 
relating to treatment, disposal, removal or re-routing, including costs incurred by the  CFIA 
to monitor the action taken. Notification of non-compliance to the exporting country may 
be issued by the CFIA, as per D-01-06, Canadian Phytosanitary Policy for the Notification 
of Non-Compliance and Emergency Action. 
6.0 Appendices 
Appendix 1: Information on Environment Canada requirements 
Appendix 2: List of NAPPRA plant material 
Appendix 3: Approved Treatments for Sphagnum Moss 
Appendix 4: United States Greenhouse Certification Program (USGCP) 
Appendix 5: Presence of regulated soil-borne quarantine pests in the continental United
States 
          Appendix 6: Conditions for importation from the continental United States of plant 
material (other than potatoes) in association with soil and related matter 
Appendix 7: Houseplant for personal use: examples of eligible and non-eligible plants September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 21 of 32 Appendix 1 
Information on Environment Canada Requirements 
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flor a 
(CITES) 
Import and export of certain plant species must comply with requirements under the 
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 
(CITES). CITES sets controls on the international trade and movement of animal and pla nt 
species that have been, or may be, threatened due to excessive commercial exploitat ion. 
Environment Canada is the lead agency responsible for implementing CITES on behalf of 
the Canadian federal government. Further information on CITES can be found at 
http://www.cites.ec.gc.ca./nature/default.asp?lang=En&n=1BC82E16-1 .
  September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 22 of 32 Appendix 2 
List of NAPPRA Plant Material 
The following plant taxa are classified as Not Authorized Pending Risk Analysis  (NAPPRA). 
These plant taxa are prohibited entry until a PRA is completed and determines if the y are 
admissible or not. See section 3.1 for details. The following list will be updated on a regul ar basis; 
it is the importer’s responsibility to consult it frequently.  Other plants and plant m aterial may also 
be prohibited from countries other than the U.S., please refer to the following page for more
information  http://inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/oper/prohibintere.shtml  
Plant taxa Authorized from Not Authorized Pending Pest Risk 
Analysis from 
Acer spp. Continental U.S., Germany, 
Japan, New Zealand, 
Netherlands All origins except the continental 
U.S., Germany, Japan, New Zealand, 
Netherlands 
Aconogonon spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. 
Aesculus spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. 
Amaranthus spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. 
Atriplex spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. 
Bistorta spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. 
Chenopodium spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. 
Datura spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. 
Fallopia spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. 
Fragaria spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. 
Fraxinus spp. Continental U.S., Germany, 
Netherlands All origins except the continental 
U.S., Germany, Netherlands 
Halogeton spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. 
Lepidium spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 23 of 32 Malva  spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. 
Persicaria spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. 
Polygonum spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. 
Quercus spp. Continental U.S., Germany, 
Japan, Netherlands All origins except the continental 
U.S., Germany, Japan, Netherlands 
Ribes spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. and Europe 
Rubus spp. Continental U.S., Switzerland, 
Norway and EU countries All origins except the continental 
U.S., Switzerland, Norway and EU 
countries 
Spergularia spp. Continental U.S. All origins except the continental 
U.S. 
Vaccinium spp. Australia, Continental U.S. All origins except Australia and the 
continental U.S. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 24 of 32 Appendix 3 
Approved Treatments for Sphagnum Moss 
1. Dry Heat 
Sample Temperature 
BB BBC ( BB BBF ) Exposure Period * 
Minutes (Hours) 
Large: 
more than 
2.5 kg (5 lbs) 110-120    (230-249  )
121-154   (250-309) 
155-192   (310-379) 
193-220   (380-429) 
221-232   (430-450) 960 (16 hrs) 
120 (2 hrs) 
30 minutes 
4 minutes 
2 minutes 
Small: 
less than 
2.5 kg (5 lbs) 120   (250) 30 minutes 
2. Steam Heat 
Pressure 
kPa  (psi) Temperature 
BB BBC  ( BB BBF ) Exposure Period * 
Minutes 
104  (15) 117   (245) 30 minutes 
*  The exposure period may not begin until the appropriate pressure and temperature have 
been reached. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 25 of 32 3. Methyl Bromide Fumigation  
Important Notice:  As a signatory to the Protocol to the Vienna Convention on Substances that 
Deplete the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol , 1987), Canada has entered the phase-out period for 
the use of Methyl Bromide for quarantine purposes. Exporting countries are encouraged to subm it 
alternatives to Methyl Bromide fumigation for review. 
(i) At normal atmospheric pressure 
Sample Dosage 
g/m 3 (oz/1000ft 3) Temperature 
BB BBC  ( BB BBF ) Exposure Period Hours 
Large compact samples 368   (368) 16   (60) 16 
Large loose samples 240   (240) 16   (60) 24 
Small samples 160   (160) 16   (60) 3
(ii) Vacuum Fumigation in 66cm (26in.) Vacuum *  
Dosage 
g/m 3   (oz/1000ft 3) Temperature 
BB BBC  ( BB BBF ) Exposure Period Hours 
128   (128) 
165   (165) 
192    (192) 4   (40) 
4   (40) 
4   (40) 16128 
*The moss must be friable, moist, but not wet, and containers should be open. The amount of 
moss treated at one time must not exceed 30 cm in its smallest dimension.September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 26 of 32 Appendix 4 
United States Greenhouse Certification Program (USGCP) 
The United States Greenhouse Certification Program (US-GCP) is a USDA a dministered program 
aimed at American greenhouse growers that export plants of U.S. propagative origin t o Canada. 
The US-GCP allows approved production facilities in the U.S. to certify eligible pl ant material for 
export to the Canada with an Export Certification Label (ECL), in lieu of a USDA Phy tosanitary 
Certificate.  
Each shipment of plants for planting exported to Canada from the U.S. must be accompanied by 
either a traditional USDA Phytosanitary Certificate or an ECL. The ECL is  used to verify that the 
plant material in the consignment has been produced in conformance with the US-GCP and mee ts 
the import requirements of Canada. 
All plant material certified under the US-GCP must meet the following phytosa nitary criteria: 
• freedom from all regulated pests to Canada and/or the U.S.; 
• practical freedom from non-regulated plant pests; 
• compliance with any pest-specific or commodity-specific phytosanitary 
requirements of the CFIA and/or USDA; 
• compliance with Canadian origin requirements; and 
• compliance with specific provincial requirements. 
Eligible plants are those commonly known and recognized as indoor foliage and flowering pla nts 
and those categorized as bedding plants intended for either indoor or outdoor planting. The 
majority of eligible plants fall into the following categories: bedding plants, c acti, flowering 
plants, foliage plants, orchids, potted bulb plants and succulents. Certain plants have been 
specifically excluded from the US-GCP by the CFIA (see below). 
A list of plants excluded from the US-GCP for export to Canada  can be found at: 
http:www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/usgcpe.shtml  
The approved US-GCP facility must maintain care and control over its ECL and is res ponsible for 
applying an ECL to the shipping documents accompanying the consignment. The documentation 
accompanying US-GCP shipments must list the quantity and scientific name of eac h plant in the 
consignment. Unless there are specific species requirements, scientific na mes to the genus level 
will suffice. The documents describing the consignment must be clearly linked to the E CL by 
reference to the ECL serial number, and the document bearing the ECL must reference  the 
shipping documents which describe the contents of the consignment. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 27 of 32 
The U.S. production facility must be approved and in good standing under the US-GCP at the 
time of shipping. All plants listed on the shipping documents must be covered by the ECLs 
accompanying a consignment. The ECL must conform to the example provided below, and each 
consignment must have a separate ECL. If the documentation accompanying the shipment does
not meet Canadian requirements then the shipment will be refused entry. 
Authentication 
The ECL must conform to the example provided at the end of this appendix. 
The ECL is a white sticker approximately 9.5 cm x 4.5 cm in size. 
Each ECL is pre-printed with a facility identification number. The first two le tters of the 
identification number represents the state where the approved facility is locat ed. 
Each ECL is also pre-printed with a unique serial number. 
Each label must also be pre-printed with the following: “This shipment of greenhouse gr own 
plants meets the import requirements of Canada and is believed to be free from injurious  plant 
pests”; United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Ins pection Service; and 
the USDA seal. 
 
Canada does not accept hand written labels, serial numbers, or identification numbers. 
Note: In this example the nursery’s identification number is prefaced by the two-l etter State 
abbreviation; “FL” standing for Florida.   Example is enlarged for viewing purposes. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 28 of 32 Appendix 5 
Presence of regulated soil-borne quarantine pests in the continental  United States 
www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/soilbornuse.shtml 
Note: appropriate additional declarations must be indicated on phytosanitary certif icates 
accompanying plant material originating from areas where the pests are pres ent. September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 29 of 32 Appendix 6 
Conditions for importation from the continental United States of plant mat erial (other than 
potatoes) in association with soil and related matter 
Phytosanitary Certificates may only be issued if the requirements for the addi tional declaration(s) 
have been met. 
1. Apple maggot ( Rhagoletis pomonella )
Refer to the requirements for rooted plants described in D-00-07: Import and domestic 
phytosanitary requirements to prevent the introduction and spread of apple maggot (Rhagoletis 
pomonella spp. (Walsh)) .
2. Blueberry maggot ( Rhagoletis mendax )
Refer to the requirements for rooted plants described in D-02-04: Phytosanitary Requirements for 
the Importation From the Continental United States and for Domestic Movement of Commodities
Regulated for Blueberry Maggot .
3. Japanese beetle  (Popillia japonica )
Refer to the requirements for rooted plants described in D-96-15: Phytosanitary Requirements to 
Prevent the Spread of Japanese Beetle, Popillia japonica, in Canada and the United States .
4. Golden nematode ( Globodera rostochiensis )
Soil from quarantine areas of infested states is prohibited.  Contact the U.S. Depart ment of 
Agriculture for more information regarding quarantine areas.  
For material with soil from infested states, the following additional declara tion must appear on the 
Phytosanitary Certificate: 
"The plant material in this shipment was grown in a county or area of a county that has 
been sampled and found to be free of the golden nematode (Globodera rostochiensis) 
based on negative results of an official survey." 
5. Pale cyst nematode ( Globodera pallida )
Soil from quarantine areas of infested states is prohibited.  Contact the U.S. Depart ment of 
Agriculture for more information regarding quarantine areas.  
For material with soil from infested states, the following additional declara tion must appear on the 
Phytosanitary Certificate: September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 30 of 32 "The plant material in this shipment was grown in a county or area of a county that has 
been sampled and found to be free of the pale cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) based on 
negative results of an official survey." 
6. Soybean cyst nematode ( Heterodera glycines )
Soil is prohibited from areas where soybean cyst nematode is known to occur.  Contact the U.S . 
Department of Agriculture for more information regarding infested areas.  
For material with soil from infested states, one of the following additional decla rations must 
appear on the Phytosanitary Certificate: 
"Material was grown in a medium that was treated prior to shipment in a manner and by 
approved methods which would ensure freedom from the soybean cyst nematode 
(HETERODERA GLYCINES)." 
or 
"Material was grown in a county or area of a county that has been sampled and found to 
be free of the soybean cyst nematode (HETERODERA GLYCINES) based on negative 
results of an official survey." 
7. Columbia root-knot nematode ( Meloidogyne chitwoodi )
Soil from quarantine areas of infested states is prohibited.  Contact the U.S. Depart ment of 
Agriculture for more information regarding quarantine areas.  
For material with soil from non-quarantine areas of infested states, one of the foll owing additional 
declarations must appear on the Phytosanitary Certificate: 
"The material was produced and prepared for export in accordance with the conditions of 
entry specified in Quarantine Directive 82-01 of February 1, 1982." 
or 
"The soil originated in an area in which, on the basis of official surveys, Meloidogyne 
chitwoodi does not occur." 
8. Ramorum blight and dieback ( Phytophthora ramorum )
Refer to the requirements for rooted plants described in D-01-01: Phytosanitary Requirements to 
Prevent the Entry and Spread of Phytophthora ramorum . September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 31 of 32 9. European brown garden snail ( Cornu aspersum , syn.  Helix aspersa )
Refer to the requirements described in D-09-01: Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the 
introduction and spread of the European brown garden snail (Cornu aspersum [Müller], syn. 
Helix aspersa [Müller]) from the United States .September 1, 2010 D-08-04 (Original )
Page 32 of 32 Appendix 7 
Houseplant for personal use: examples of eligible and non-eligible plants
www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/houseplante.shtml