Plants, cut flowers and protection of species (CITES)
New plant healt legislation will enter into force on 1st January 2020
In Switzerland, outbreaks of harmful organisms to plants are increasingly frequent. The main reasons for this are the increasing international trade and climate change. Outbreaks of harmful organisms can cause severe economic losses in the agricultural and horticultural sector or threaten important ecosystem functions delivered by forests. In order to face these risks, a new plant health legislation will enter into force on 1 January 2020.
a) Importation from EU states 1
Plants (living or as plant parts), bulbs, garden soil and flower soil are not subject to phytosanitary measures, so long as these goods are imported in tourist traffic for personal use.
b) Importation from other states (third countries)
Plants and fresh (living) parts of plants (e.g. fruit, vegetables, cut flowers, cut foliage or seeds), goods made from certain types of wood and soil are subject to either import bans or inspection on importation, and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.
Anyone wishing to import such plants or plant products must enquire at the Federal Office for Agriculture about the applicable regulations in good time before importing them.
Exceptions: The following fruits may be imported without a phytosanitary certificate:
Pineapples (Ananas comosus), coconuts (Cocos nucifera), durian (Durio zibethinus), bananas (Musa) and dates (Phoenix dactilifera)
1 In phytosanitary terms, the Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla and France's overseas territories are not considered EU states
