Cambodia

The MAFF is one of Cambodia’s government departments responsible for regulating and overseeing the country's agriculture, forestry, and fishery industry. It spearheads in ensuring food security, export and other trade-related initiatives, and overall economic development.

The PPSPSD, under the GDA, assists exporters in complying with international standards of importing countries through the following:

1. Maintainance information on phytosanitary requirements of its trading partners;
2. Domestic inspection of seeds for export;
3. Issuance and monitoring of certifications of shipments for export;
4. Ensure that quarantine inspectors are authorized to certify/inspect the phytosanitary conditions of seeds for export; and
5. Certification of imported seeds and seeds for re-export in compliance with the country’s import requirements.

To ensure sanitary and phytosanitary conditions of trade partners, the following related phytosanitary regulations/guidelines are promulgated and enforced:

• Sub-decree No. 15 OrNorKra.BorKor on Plant Quarantine Inspections (2003)
  1. Ministrial Proclamation No. 346 MAFF on Plant Quarantine Inspection Procedures (2010)
• Law on Biosafety (2008)
• Law on Plant Breeder Rights and Seed Management (2008)
• Law on Plant Protection and Quarantine (2022)
• International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 38 “International movement for seeds”

The general requirements, list of forms, and annexes necessary for import and export movement are found in the Ministerial Decision: Plant Quarantine Procedure No. 346 10/05/2010.

The complete list of quarantine regulations can be found in the Cambodia Plant Quarantine List of Key Legislations/Regulations/Rules.

The Ministerial Proclamation No. 346 MAFF on Plant Quarantine Inspection Procedure identifies plant quarantine materials with a high risk of plant pests. These materials include:

1. Seeds and planting materials used for propagation
2. Plant tissue cultures
3. Plant abstracts from mother plants for testing
4. Tissue cultures of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
5. Live insects, microorganisms, biological agents, and fungi
6. Algae, soil, and compost derived from plant material for use as planting substances or soil fertility improvement
7. Products, vegetables, fresh fruits, tubers, buds, sprouts, shoots, and algae from new places of origin that have not been imported to Cambodia
8. Other materials that are classified in the 3rd and 4th risk categories of ISPM No. 32 - Categorization of Commodities According to their Pest Risk

These materials are considered high-risk due to their potential to introduce and spread plant pests.

Import requirements:

• Application for import certificate/permit: Any physical or juridical person who intends to import high-risk plant quarantine materials shall submit an application to the General Directorate of Agriculture (GDA) with the following attachments:
  1. Pest list for the production and storage of the regulated material in the country of origin
  2. Pest list for the production and storage of the regulated material in the country of transit (if applicable)
  3. Technical documents related to the treatment of the applied materials
• Phytosanitary certificate from the competent authority of the country of origin certifying that the seeds are free from quarantine pests/diseases
• Pest risk assessment: The GDA will review the application and conduct a pest risk assessment within 15 days of receiving all the necessary documents.
• Packaging and labeling: The commodities for import shall be in a secured packaging or container labeled with the name of the seed, the country of origin, and the quantity to prevent any contamination with pests or diseases.
• Quarantine Inspection: Depending on the type of pests observed, this may involve physical examination, testing, or other measures to ensure that the seeds meet the import requirements.
• Compliance with other regulations: This may include compliance with customs, import duties, and plant variety protection rules and policies.

The procedure for the importation of seeds, following ISPM 38, is outlined in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Process flow for the Importation of seeds

1. Application Submission: Submit the completed application and supporting documents to the GDA. This can usually be done in person, by mail, or online.
2. Document Verification: The PQW officials will verify the authenticity and completeness of the submitted documents.
3. Risk Assessment: The GDA will conduct a risk assessment to determine the potential risks associated with the importation of seeds.
4. Decision Making: Considering the pest risk assessment, the GDA will decide and implement appropriate phytosanitary decision on the application.
5. Issuance of Import Permit: If the application is approved, an import permit will be issued to the applicant/importer which specifies the phytosanitary conditions on the seed consignment.

The General Directorate of Agriculture will issue the result of an application for import permit within 15 days after receipt of the whole set of document dossier.

Upon arrival of imported seeds in Cambodia, the following requirements are to be presented at the port of entry:

Phytosanitary Certificate or Phytosanitary Certificate for Re-Export issued by the competent authority of the exporting or re-exporting country

• Fumigation Certificate (if applicable)
• Invoice, Packing List, and Bill of Lading
• Import Certificate/Permit issued by the General Directorate of Agriculture, MAFF, Cambodia
• Other required documents specified in the import certificate/permit

Pest Risk Analysis

No standard pest risk analyses (PRAs) have been conducted yet. The PRA team, as supported by the FAO, is currently working on case studies, pest surveillance, and gathering necessary information to assist importing countries in their PRA processes.

The Quarantine Pest list has been revised and endorsed by Ministerial Decision (No100, dated 10/03/2010): 184 plant pests. 2. Whereas, the pest lists for potential seeds for export are still in progress.

The general export procedure for seeds in Cambodia involves the following steps:

1. Application for export: The exporter/applicant shall obtain an export permit from the GDA specifying the origin, type, quantity, and destination through submitting an application letter. Aside from that, a phytosanitary certificate shall also be issued by the GDA signifying that the seeds are free from injurious pests and diseases.
2. Inspection and Pest Diagnosis: The GDA shall visually inspect the seeds and issue an export certification provided that they conform with the conditions set by the competent authority of the country of destination. They may also perform laboratory testing at least 15 working days prior to export date. The MAFF is capable of performing the laboratory analysis provided there is an official communication and advance notice. The diagnosis may take up to 1 to 5 days.
3. Treatment: The inspected seeds may require fumigation depending on the type of pest observed. The MAFF shall fumigate at least 15 working days prior to export date. The fumigation date may take about 96 hours.
4. Re-inspection: After treatment, the materials undergo another inspection to verify that the pests or diseases have been successfully eradicated. If necessary, a re-treatment will commence. A fumigation certificate will be issued indicating that it is SPS-certified.
5. Decision: Based on the results of re-inspection and pest risk assessment, the following decision can be made:
   • No quarantine pests or diseases found: The materials are approved for import, and a phytosanitary certificate will be issued.
   • Pests or diseases found but eradicated: The materials may be approved for import after a specified quarantine period.
   • Pests or diseases cannot be eradicated: The materials are rejected and returned to the exporter or destroyed.

Phytosanitary Export Procedure

The procedure for inspection and testing for the export of seeds is outlined in Figure 2:

Figure 2. General Procedure for Export

The general process for processing PC for seeds typically involves the following steps:

1. Application Submission: The exporters must apply for a phytosanitary certificate to the PPSPSD of the MAFF. The application should include detailed information about the type and quantity of seeds, their destination, and their intended use.
2. Inspection, Sampling, and Verification: This may include physical inspection, document verification and review, and sampling and laboratory analysis (if necessary).
3. Issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Certificate: If the product meets all the requirements, the GDA will issue an export certification signifying that the product conforms with the country’s export regulations and may outline the specific conditions or requirements for export.

As of writing, there are no published records for the list of accredited private and public seed testing laboratories in Cambodia following the ISPM 45 guidelines.However, the MAFF is capable of performing laboratory analysis for seeds to be exported or imported.

The Cambodia National Single Window (CNSW) is an online system formulated to expedite the export-import transactions in Cambodia. Its ultimate goal is to enhance cooperation among government agencies, businesses, and international partners through reduction in costs and improvement in efficiency and consistency in trade processes. The platform is used for the application of permits, licenses, certificates and is connected to the ASEAN Single Window for electronic exchange of these trade-related documents.

Although MAFF has yet to formalize a regulation stipulating the use of an e-phyto system, the GDA is implementing and improving the system to improve its phytosanitary procedures and facilitate international trade.