FAQ

The National Plant Protection Office regulates plant and plant products imported into Mauritius in order to help protect biodiversity of Mauritius from unwanted pests and diseases.

The National Plant Protection Office (NPPO) regulates plant and plant products imported into Mauritius in order to help protect biodiversity of Mauritius from unwanted pests and diseases. As such, the importation of Plant or Plant Parts and plant products for personal or commercial use is subject to a Plant Import Permit (PIP) under section 19 of the Plant Protection Act (2006). The PIP states the phytosanitary requirements that the exporting country should comply to ensure the products being imported are free from dangerous pests or diseases which are harmful to the agricultural industry in the country.

Yes, plant parts which are used for planting or propagation such as seeds, seedlings, cuttings, budwood, tissue culture, and other materials can be imported into the country upon request of a Plant Import Permit.​

Other products that require a Plant Import Permit (PIP) are:

• Fruits – fresh, dried and processed
• Vegetables- Fresh, dried and semi cooked
• Baby vegetables / salads / aromatic herbs / vegetable sprouts
• Fresh cut flowers
• Planting materials (cuttings, seedlings, plantlets, plants, bulbs, tubers, tissue culture plantlets)
• Seeds (flower seeds, fruit seeds, vegetable seeds, edible seeds, seeds for production of fodder)
• Planting medium / biofertiliers / Microbial cultures
• Animal Feed
• Used agricultural machineries
• dried flowers and pot-pourri
• Pulses, spices, herbs and nuts
• Bamboo / rattan articles
• Timber
• Wood and wooden articles such as wooden furniture and handicrafts
• Cereals for processing (maize, oats)
• Coconut and coconut products

All applications for a Plant Import Permit can be made:

1. By applying for PIP online on the TradeNet Portal of Mauritius Network Services (MNS). Click here: https://tradenetmns.mu/. First time applicants are requested to register with the MNS Customer Service Department for training and registration by calling on 401 6805 or by email on customer.service@mns.mu.

Kindly note that for the importation of used agricultural machinery, importers are required to download the PIP Application Form from the website of the Ministry of Agro Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries (agriculture.govmu.org)  fill it and submit at NPPO (Réduit or Fort George).

If applied manually, no payment is required for the issue of a PIP.

If applied online, the TradeNet Portal of MNS will deduct Rs 100 for the issuance of PIP and clearance of consignment.

Note: The permit is valid for a period of 4 months and one permit shall be used for one consignment only during the valid period unless specified otherwise.

For commodities that are imported regularly and the application form has been properly filled, the National Plant Protection Office can issue the Plant Import Permit within 3 - 5 working days.

However, for items which are being requested for the first time, this office needs to carry out a pest risk analysis prior to the issue of PIP. Therefore, in such cases it takes longer to issue the PIP.

Other documents that should accompany the imported consignment are:

(1) The original Phytosanitary Certificate issued by Official Plant Protection organization of the exporting country.

(2) The Invoice regarding the consignment.

(3) The Bill of Lading for consignment uploaded in container.

(4) A Certificate of Fumigation, especially for wooden commodities and agricultural machinery.

Processed agricultural items do not require Plant Import Permit and these include canned products. These consignments may be accompanied with the Phytosanitary Certificate and will require clearance from the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Yes, all the agricultural commodities are subject to inspection by Plant Quarantine Officers / Inspectors at the point of entry: Port Area (Mauritius Container Terminal) at Mer Rouge, SSR International Airport, PATS (Plaisance Air Transport Services) and Cargo Village, Plaisance (Ground to Air Services).

Actually, a fee of Rs 100 is paid at the time of electronic application for a Plant Import Permit. This fee also covers inspection.

However, if a manual Plant Import Permit has been issued, which is free, a fee of Rs 100 is charged at the time of inspection.

If no quarantine pests and diseases have been found in the consignment at the time of inspection,a certificate of inspection (CI) is submitted to the importer. The latter will be required to settle a payment of Rs 100 for the CI.

Not all agricultural commodities will be released immediately. Planting materials such as ornamental plants, plant parts, budwoods and tissue culture plantlets will undergo post entry quarantine while most seeds will undergo Seed Health Testing (SHT) before getting final clearance from the NPPO.

Note: It is a common practice for quarantine inspection officers to detain one sample (Packaging: sachet or can) of the imported seeds for carrying out Seed Health Testing at Reduit. The importer will be informed on when to collect the remaining sample after SHT has been completed.

Note: It is a common practice for quarantine inspection officers to detain one sample (Packaging: sachet or can) of the seeds imported for carrying out Seed Health Testing at Reduit. The importer will be informed on when to collect the remaining sample after SHT has been completed.

It is important to screen and observe the plants and planting materials for a period of time (ranging from 3 months to 1 year, depending on the planting material) for the presence of exotic pests and diseases and latent infection which might not be visible at the time of inspection of the consignment on arrival.

The consignment is destroyed by incineration at the importers' cost (Rs 5 per Kg of commodity to be incinerated).

Fumigation or heat treatment of wooden materials and fumigation of agricultural machinery is necessary before the import.

Note: Furnished wooden materials (“Bois Vernis") should undergo Fumigation treatment with Sulphuryl Fluoride and not heat treatment whereas non-furnished wooden commodities can undergo heat treatment.

1. Plant Import Permit – from the country from which materials is intended to be imported.
2. Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) - PC is required to certify that the plants and plant parts and plant products being exported are free from pests and diseases, and that the phytosanitary conditions imposed in the Plant Import Permit have been met.

1. Plant Import Permit – from the Official Plant Protection Service of the country of origin.
2. Phytosanitary Certificate:

This will be determined by the phytosanitary conditions  imposed by the importing country. Your consignee may be able to get this information for you.

A Phytosanitary Certificate can be obtained from any our Plant Quarantine Service: Réduit office, Fort George and SSR International Airport.

Kindly note that first time exporters willing to export fresh fruits and vegetables are requested to fill in an application form which can be obtained from the National Plant Protection Office at Réduit. This form should be filled in with all required information and approval for exportation must be obtained from the Ministry of Commerce and Consumer Protection.

The fees charged for a Phytosanitary Certificate:

• For commercial consignments (more than 10 kg): Rs 50
• For non commercial consignments (Less or equal to 10 kg): Rs 10

Kindly note that some agricultural products such as planting materials may require treatment by the NPPO which are subject to the following treatment fees.

• Treatment fees for commercial consignments: Rs 75
• Treatment fees for non commercial consignments: Rs 10

Click here for fees applicable for other services.

Yes, we do carry out inspection of air cargo on Sundays and public holidays at the SSR International Airport. However, consignments coming by sea are not inspected on Sundays and public holidays.

You may inquire with the NPPO of Mauritius on weekdays during Office hours from 8:45 to 16:00.

Tel No: 465 4902 / 464 4874

Click here to get more details on how to contact us

No, we don’t.

Food safety and its control is undertaken by the Ministry of Health.

No, you cannot. Soil contains many micro organisms, insects which may carry pests and diseases.

Any plants or plant parts with soil present is not authorised.

An export inspection may be conducted at the port or airport prior to or on the day of export. You are kindly requested to take an appointment with the NPPO to arrange for an inspection of your consignment. You can contact us on:

Tel No.: 466 9067 / 464 4874

You are requested to apply online for a phytosanitary Certificate on the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Information Management Portal on the following link:

https://sps.govmu.org

Kindly note that first time applicants are required to register on the SPS Information Management Portal.

Your applications will be processed by the NPPO and Phytosanitary Certificates will be issued electronically.

Please note that prior to issue of the PC, you are kindly requested to settle all payments. You will be notified about payment to be effected via email. 

Phytosanitary Certificates may be issued one to three days but this would depend on:

• The date of departure of the passenger (if you are travelling abroad). The PC will be issued on the eve of the departure date.
• Whether the commodities being exported for commerial purpose. The products will be subject to inspection or treatment. The issue for the Phytosanitary Certificate might take a bit longer.

If you are travelling abroad, you will require a Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) from the NPPO.

You are requested to apply for a PC online on the SPS Information Management Portal (SPS IM Portal).

For more information, please check the SPS IM Portal: https://sps.govmu.org