Peru has introduced mandatory phytosanitary standards for the importation of annatto seeds and potato and Prunus pollen to safeguard plant health, with specific requirements now in effect for imports from the Philippines, Brazil, and Chile
Peru Sets New Plant Health Rules for Annatto and Pollen Imports
Importers must meet pest-free standards for seeds and pollen from specific countries.
What changed
Mandatory requirements for annatto seeds from the Philippines through formal risk assessment.
Phytosanitary standards for potato pollen from Brazil for research purposes with origin conditions.
Proposed requirements for Prunus pollen from Chile under public consultation.
Who it affects
Importers of annatto seeds from the Philippines must comply with mandatory phytosanitary requirements.
Researchers importing potato pollen from Brazil must meet specified origin and source conditions.
Traders of Prunus pollen from Chile should prepare for new requirements under consultation.
Compliance Answer: Phytosanitary Requirements for Importing Annatto Seeds, Potato and Prunus Pollen into Peru
Peru has established mandatory phytosanitary requirements for the importation of annatto seeds (Bixa orellana), potato pollen (Solanum tuberosum), and Prunus pollen to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests. These requirements are governed by the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agraria (SENASA) under the Ley General de Sanidad Agraria (Decreto Legislativo N° 1059) and its regulations. While the provided sources primarily address tomato seeds (Solanum lycopersicum), they illustrate SENASA’s regulatory framework for phytosanitary controls, which applies analogously to the products in question (annatto seeds, potato/Prunus pollen). Below is a structured analysis of the applicable legal framework and procedural requirements for imports from the Philippines, Brazil, and Chile, based on Peru’s phytosanitary regulations.
1. Legal Framework
Peru’s phytosanitary regulations are grounded in the following legal instruments:
- Decreto Legislativo N° 1059 (Ley General de Sanidad Agraria): Establishes SENASA’s authority to regulate the importation of plants, plant products, and other regulated articles to prevent pest introduction.
- Decreto Supremo N° 018-2008-AG (Reglamento de la Ley General de Sanidad Agraria): Mandates that SENASA publish phytosanitary requirements in the Diario Oficial El Peruano and notify the World Trade Organization (WTO).
- Decreto Supremo N° 032-2003-AG (Reglamento de Cuarentena Vegetal): Requires phytosanitary requirements for imports to be approved via Resolución Directoral by SENASA’s Dirección de Sanidad Vegetal.
- Resolución Jefatural N° 0162-2017-MINAGRI-SENASA: Classifies imported plant materials into five risk categories based on processing level, intended use, and pest transmission risk.
Key Authority:
- SENASA’s Dirección de Sanidad Vegetal is responsible for establishing and enforcing phytosanitary requirements.
2. Phytosanitary Requirements for Annatto Seeds, Potato Pollen, and Prunus Pollen
While the provided sources do not explicitly list requirements for annatto seeds, potato pollen, or Prunus pollen, they outline a standardized process for importing regulated plant materials, which applies to these products. Below are the general requirements derived from SENASA’s framework, along with country-specific considerations for the Philippines, Brazil, and Chile.
A. General Requirements (Applicable to All Origins)
| Requirement | Regulation Source | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Import Permit (Permiso Fitosanitario de Importación) | , | SENASA |
| – Must be obtained prior to shipment from the country of origin. | ||
| – Issued to the importer or authorized representative. | ||
| 2. Phytosanitary Certificate | , | ONPF of origin country |
| – Must accompany the shipment in original form. | ||
| – Must include additional declarations (e.g., pest-free status) as required by SENASA. | ||
| 3. Packaging and Labeling | SENASA | |
| – Seeds/pollen must be in new, first-use containers, free of soil, plant debris, or other seeds. | ||
| – Containers must be labeled with: product name, lot number, country of origin. | ||
| 4. Inspection at Point of Entry | SENASA | |
| – SENASA inspectors will sample and retain the shipment until diagnostic results are confirmed. | ||
| – Costs of diagnostics (e.g., lab tests) are borne by the importer. | ||
| 5. Post-Entry Quarantine (if applicable) | SENASA | |
| – Required for high-risk materials (e.g., seeds for propagation). | ||
| – Includes: planting in authorized facilities, periodic inspections, and lab testing. | ||
| – Quarantine duration: Until lab results confirm pest-free status. |
B. Country-Specific Requirements
SENASA tailors requirements based on pest risk assessments (ARP) for each country. While the sources do not provide explicit declarations for annatto seeds, potato pollen, or Prunus pollen, the following tomato seed requirements illustrate the structure of country-specific rules that likely apply analogously:
| Country | Key Additional Declarations (Example for Tomato Seeds) | Regulation Source |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | – Seeds must originate from plants inspected by Brazil’s ONPF and tested free of: Clavibacter michiganensis, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, Xanthomonas spp., and viroids. | , |
| – Pre-shipment disinfection treatment (e.g., fungicide) required. | ||
| Chile | – Seeds must be tested free of Phoma destructiva (for origins like India/Malaysia). | |
| – Sampling per NIMF 31 and lab analysis for quarantine pests. | ||
| Philippines | – No explicit requirements listed in sources, but SENASA would require: | |
| – Phytosanitary certificate with pest-free declarations (e.g., for Ralstonia solanacearum for potato pollen). | ||
| – Pre-shipment treatment (e.g., heat treatment, irradiation) if high-risk pests are identified. |
Note: For annatto seeds, potato pollen, and Prunus pollen, importers must:
- Consult SENASA’s latest Resolución Directoral for the specific product and country of origin (e.g., a future Resolución Directoral N° DXXX-2025-MIDAGRI-SENASA-DSV).
- Request a pest risk analysis (ARP) from SENASA if no existing requirements are published1.
3. Procedural Steps for Compliance
- Pre-Import Phase:
- Step 1: Importer registers with SENASA as an authorized importer of regulated plant materials.
- Step 2: Submit an application for an Import Permit to SENASA’s Dirección de Sanidad Vegetal, including:
- Product details (species, quantity, country of origin).
- Intended use (e.g., propagation, research).
- Step 3: SENASA issues the Permiso Fitosanitario de Importación (valid for a single shipment).
- Export Phase (Country of Origin):
- Step 4: Exporter obtains a Phytosanitary Certificate from the ONPF (e.g., Brazil’s MAPA, Chile’s SAG, Philippines’ BPI), including:
- Additional declarations (e.g., pest-free status, treatment details).
- Sampling/lab test results (if required).
- Step 5: Ensure packaging complies with SENASA’s requirements (new containers, labeling).
- Import Phase (Peru):
- Step 6: Shipment arrives with:
- Original Phytosanitary Certificate.
- Import Permit.
- Step 7: SENASA conducts inspection at point of entry (e.g., Callao, Lima):
- Sampling: SENASA takes a representative sample for lab testing.
- Retention: Shipment is immobilized until lab results are confirmed.
- Step 8: If post-entry quarantine is required:
- Importer must plant seeds/pollen in an authorized facility.
- SENASA conducts two inspections (initial and final) and lab tests.
- Costs (inspections, diagnostics) are borne by the importer.
- Step 9: SENASA issues an Acta de Levantamiento de Cuarentena (Quarantine Release Certificate) if no pests are detected.
- Post-Import:
- Step 10: Importer may proceed with distribution or use of the material.
4. Key Deadlines and Validity
| Regulation | Deadline/Validity | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Import Permit (Permiso Fitosanitario de Importación) | Valid for one shipment (must be reissued for each import). | |
| Phytosanitary Requirements for Tomato Seeds (Example) | Current requirements valid until 30 September 2028. | |
| Post-Entry Quarantine | Duration: Until lab results confirm pest-free status (may be extended for phytosanitary reasons). | |
| Extension of Previous Requirements (e.g., Resolución Directoral N° D000009-2024) | Extended by 180 days via Resolución Directoral N° D000011-20251. | 1 |
5. Penalties for Non-Compliance
- Rejection of Shipment: If the shipment fails inspection or lacks required documentation, SENASA may order its return or destruction.
- Fines: Violations of phytosanitary regulations may result in fines under Decreto Legislativo N° 1059.
- Suspension of Import Privileges: Repeated non-compliance may lead to revocation of the importer’s registration.
6. Summary Answer
Peru has implemented mandatory phytosanitary requirements for importing annatto seeds, potato pollen, and Prunus pollen to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests, with country-specific rules for the Philippines, Brazil, and Chile. Key requirements include:
- Obtaining an Import Permit from SENASA prior to shipment.
- Phytosanitary Certificate from the ONPF of the country of origin, with additional declarations for pest-free status,.
- Compliance with packaging, labeling, and inspection protocols at Peru’s point of entry.
- Post-entry quarantine (if applicable), including lab testing and inspections.
- Country-specific pest declarations (e.g., for Clavibacter michiganensis from Brazil or Phoma destructiva from Chile).
While the provided sources focus on tomato seeds, the same regulatory framework applies to the products in question. Importers must consult SENASA’s latest Resolución Directoral for product- and country-specific requirements1,,. Requirements are subject to periodic updates (e.g., extended by 180 days via Resolución Directoral N° D000011-2025)1, and non-compliance may result in shipment rejection, fines, or suspension of import privileges.
Sources
- ↩ WTO SPS notification 26-02736 — Peru https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/SPS/PER/26_02736_00_s.pdf