Exotic plants such as orchids or special fruit and vegetables, such as mangoes from Egypt or fresh grape leaves from Turkey, are often taken home from vacation as souvenirs for family or friends. Import regulations must be observed - there may even be import bans.

This is to prevent dangerous pests from being introduced. Because the spread of these pests can have serious consequences for agriculture, forestry and the environment.

How plants can be introduced

Plant-based goods must also have a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin when they enter an EU country when traveling on holiday. This official document is issued in the country of origin and proves that the phytosanitary import conditions of the EU countries were already taken into account and fulfilled when the respective crop was cultivated.

Plants and certain herbal products are subject to an additional official control upon their first arrival in the EU, which is carried out in Austria at the airports in Vienna, Linz and Graz. During this phytosanitary import control, the official plant protection service of the Federal Office for Food Safety (BAES) checks plant health. If everything is OK, customs clearance can take place.

The registration for the phytosanitary import control must be made at least one working day before the arrival of the consignment via the EU portal TRACES NT (TRAde Control and Expert System New Technology).

Without the appropriate import documents and the necessary phytosanitary controls, the goods are confiscated by customs and subsequently destroyed. Caution_: There are no exceptions for small amounts of vegetable "souvenirs". A phytosanitary certificate is only required for the importation of the following fruits: pineapples, bananas, durians, dates and coconuts.

Note: Since January 01.01.2021st, XNUMX, England, Scotland and Wales have also been considered third countries and the import of plant and vegetable products into the EU is also subject to phytosanitary regulations.