Export
About the inspection
Since 2013, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has performed the export inspections. The inspections were previously performed by Naktuinbouw. Export is understood to mean dispatching propagating material to countries outside the European Union.
Regulations
Before you start exporting products, request the requirements placed on the products you intend to export by the recipient country. This may be standard legislation or an import permit. You can then compare these requirement with those stated on the list of country requirements on the NVWA website. If this information differs, inform the NVWA. They will then verify if there actually are differences and in which way the requirements must be complied with. The NVWA will then include these additional requirements in their list of country requirements or issue an 'Instruction for import permit'.
The material must also comply with EU requirements.
Procedure
During the export inspection, the shipment must comply with the following conditions:
- The shipment must be presented complete
- The shipment is clearly separated from other lots
- The material is packaged for shipping
During the inspection, the inspector verifies compliance with the requirements set by the third country. This consists of the following components:
- Inspection of the phytosanitary certificate
- Inspection of the identity of the material
- Physical inspection
In some cases, taking a sample for laboratory analysis is necessary. The inspector will only make a decision in this case once the results of the sample analysis are known. If everything is in good order, the phytosanitary certificate can be stamped. Based on the submitted information, e-CertNL (CLIENT export) will generate a correctly drawn-up template. If e-CertNL is not used, the phytosanitary certificate must be drawn up manually by the applicant.
Fee
The Naktuinbouw board establishes our inspection fees each year. The fees are subsequently approved by the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The costs are charged based on the cost-maker cost-bearer principle. The fees for inspection can be found here Rates/fees.
Application
Registering for an inspection and drawing up a phytosanitary certificate can be easily done via e-CertNL (CLIENT export). This system was developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality in collaboration with the NVWA, the business sector and the inspection services. Using e-CertNL is obligatory for many sectors. If the sector does not impose obligatory use of e-CertNL, registration is also possible via e-mail or fax. Use the registration form export inspections. We will charge an extra fee to process registration using this form.
For efficient planning, it is important that you submit your details in time. Preferably submit the application a day before. Inspections take place within defined time blocks. You can request a certain time block. If you register via e-CertNL, a response will be given via the portal. The table below lists the time blocks.
| Time blocks | Times e-CertNL | Request a time block per fax/e-mail |
| Whole day | 12.15 | 1 |
| Whole morning | 10.15 | 4 |
| Whole afternoon | 15.15 | 7 |
| 8.00-10.00 hr | 8.15 | 2 |
| 10.00-12.00 hr | 11.15 | 5 |
| 13.00-15.00 hr | 13.15 | 3 |
| 15.00-17.00 hr | 16.15 | 6 |