Material for destructive testing

Shipments of plant or seed samples for research purposes, which will be destroyed after testing, from outside the European Union (3rd countries) need to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate or a letter addressed to the Dutch NPPO (DOIV). 

If a phytosanitary certificate is not available, samples can be imported with a dispensation for receiving samples from third countries, for the purpose of destructive testing. The sample must be accompanied by a letter from the Dutch NPPO (DOIV). You can request this letter from the laboratory by completing the form on this page.

Requirements

  • This option is limited to imports of (plant) material that is not listed as prohibited. An import ban applies to certain varieties of plants, as well as to soil and growing media.  This list states which crops are prohibited.  
  • Material that is already known or detected to be infected with a quarantine organism or an organism worthy of classification as a QO (QO or QwO) may not be imported.
  • The quantity of material submitted must not be larger than necessary for the destructive test.

If the material is already infected with a QO or QwO, you can apply to the NVWA for dispensation from the import prohibition. This is called an Import Licence.

Click here to request the letter.

Shipment instructions for plant material with a DOIV

  • Your samples must be packed in unbreakable, hermetically sealed leak-proof packaging with maximum of 80kg and a maximum height of 20 cm.
  • Put the attached shipping label on the outside of the package.
  • Put the numbered letter of the Dutch NPPO on the outside of the package, including a warning “Plant Quarantine, do not open”.
    PLEASE NOTE: do not forget to fill in the packing list information at the back of the form.
  • Send the package direct to the address on the attached shipping label. This shipping can only be used for the Naktuinbouw location on Sotaweg 22.
  • Please send not more than the quantity mentioned in your request.
  • Please check whether the courier delivers directly to the Netherlands. If not, please choose another courier. We advise not to use FedEx because there are not sending it directly to the Netherlands.
  • Please add a no commercial value (NCV) with the samples.