Turkey has enacted strict plant quarantine regulations to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, targeting specific plant categories including cuttings and seedlings.
Turkey Enforces Strict Quarantine for Live Plant Imports
Importers of cuttings and seedlings must follow mandatory inspection protocols to block pests.
What changed
Mandatory inspection protocols apply to cut flowers and young transplants.
Plants, cuttings, and seedlings are subject to strict import controls to prevent pests.
HS codes 060290, 060220, and 060120 are explicitly targeted for enforcement.
Who it affects
Importers of cut flowers and young transplants must ensure compliance with mandatory inspection protocols.
Suppliers of plants, cuttings, and seedlings must meet strict import controls.
Key dates
Compliance Answer: Türkiye’s Plant Quarantine Regulations for Cuttings and Seedlings
Direct Answer
Under Türkiye’s Regulation on Plant Quarantine, effective 4 August 2026, all consignments of cuttings and seedlings must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate or Re-export Phytosanitary Certificate that explicitly declares the specific requirements listed in Annex-4 of the Regulation. Certificates issued on or after this date that fail to include these requirements will be deemed invalid, and the consignment will be denied entry into Türkiye1.
Regulation Analysis
1. Key Requirements for Phytosanitary Certificates
The Regulation on Plant Quarantine mandates the following for cuttings and seedlings:
- Mandatory Declaration of Annex-4 Requirements:
The Phytosanitary Certificate or Re-export Phytosanitary Certificate must clearly and completely state the specific requirements from Annex-4 in the relevant section of the certificate. This applies to all certificates issued on or after 4 August 20261.
- Consequence of Non-Compliance: Certificates lacking explicit Annex-4 declarations will be invalid, and the consignment will be prohibited from entering Türkiye1.
- Compliance with ISPM 12:
The declaration must align with the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 12 (ISPM 12), which governs the format and content of phytosanitary certificates1.
- Applicability to Cuttings and Seedlings:
While the Regulation broadly targets plant categories vulnerable to pests and diseases, cuttings and seedlings are explicitly subject to these requirements due to their high risk of transmitting quarantine pests1.
2. Regulatory Timeline and Enforcement
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation on Plant Quarantine | Phytosanitary Certificates must declare Annex-4 requirements1. | 4 August 2026 | Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |
| SPS Notification G/SPS/N/TUR/23/Rev.1/Add.2 | Official notification of revised Regulation and Annex-41. | Published 6 May 2026 | General Directorate of Food and Control |
3. Procedural Steps for Compliance
- Obtain a Phytosanitary Certificate:
Exporters must secure a certificate from the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the country of origin, ensuring it includes the specific requirements from Annex-41.
- Verify Certificate Content:
The certificate must explicitly state:
- The scientific names of the plants (cuttings/seedlings).
- Pest-free status or treatment details (e.g., fumigation, heat treatment).
- Origin of the consignment (e.g., pest-free area, production site)1.
- Submit to Turkish Authorities:
Upon arrival, the consignment will be inspected by the General Directorate of Food and Control under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Non-compliant certificates will result in rejection or destruction of the consignment1.
- Re-export Certificates:
For consignments transiting through Türkiye, a Re-export Phytosanitary Certificate must also declare Annex-4 requirements1.
4. Contact Points for Clarification
For further details or to obtain the English translation of the Regulation and Annex-4, stakeholders may contact:
- Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
General Directorate of Food and Control Universiteler Mah. Dumlupınar Bulvarı, No: 161, 06800 Çankaya, Ankara Tel: +90 312 258 7610 / +90 312 258 7607 Fax: +90 312 258 7693 Email: sps@tarimorman.gov.tr or nppoturkiye@tarimorman.gov.tr2(https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/SPS/TUR/26_04100_00_e.pdf)2.
Summary Answer
Türkiye’s Regulation on Plant Quarantine, effective 4 August 2026, imposes strict phytosanitary requirements for cuttings and seedlings. Phytosanitary Certificates (or Re-export Certificates) must explicitly declare the specific requirements listed in Annex-4 to be valid. Non-compliant certificates will result in consignment rejection1. The Regulation aligns with ISPM 12 and is enforced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry2, 1. For compliance, exporters must ensure certificates include all Annex-4 details, verified by the country of origin’s NPPO1. The English translation of the Regulation and Annex-4 is available via the provided links2.
Sources
- ↩ Regulation on Plant Quarantine — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NTUR23R1A3.docx
- ↩ Regulation on Plant Quarantine — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NTUR23R1A4.docx