Question & AnswerQ&A (BPI DA Quarantine Administrative Circular No. 01)
This Order governs the importation of fresh ginger for consumption from the People's Republic of China (PROC) into the Philippines.
The NPQSD-BPI's primary function is to prevent the entry of foreign pests into the country and the further spread of these pests in areas where they are not known to exist.
A Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) is a certificate patterned after the model certificates of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), certifying that a consignment meets phytosanitary requirements.
Persons or entities who submit the required documentary requirements to the BPI, including letter of intent, application forms, business permits, and other related documents, and comply with set guidelines, can apply for registration as importers.
The Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) may be suspended or revoked, the importer may face administrative fines ranging from Php1,000 to Php50,000, and may be blacklisted from accredited importers list. Other legal actions may also be pursued.
The Certificate of Registration is valid for three (3) years from the date of issuance and successive renewals are valid for the same term.
The importer must submit an application form with a proforma invoice from the supplier, location details from port of entry to final destination, and pay the SPSIC processing fees to DTS and BPI.
Exporters and facilities must be registered with AQSIQ, fresh ginger must be sorted, cleaned, and packed in accredited facilities under CIQ supervision, undergo pre-export quarantine as inspected by CIQ Officers, and be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate and Maximum Residue Limit Certificate.
The consignment shall be refused entry, with options of return to origin, re-export to other countries, or destruction at the importer's expense. The importer may also face confiscation and penalties.
The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) reserves the right to suspend ginger importation, conduct audits of the export program, and only resume imports when corrective actions are mutually agreed upon with the Chinese Inspection authorities.