Plant health biosecurity on internation flights coming to Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Information for Travellers. Declaring goods. http://pflanzenschutzdienst.rp-giessen.de/fileadmin/dokumente/pflanzenbeschau/BIOSECURITY_ON_INT_FLIGHTS.pdf

1. © 2016 & pictures Regierungspraesidium Giessen (planthealth@rp-giessen.de), 51.4 ww
BIOSECURITY RULES ON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS COMING TO
EUROPEAN UNION VIA FRANKFURT AIRPORT.
PASSENGER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.
Slogans such as “DON’T´ RISK IT!”, “DON´T PACK A PEST!”, “DECLARE IT!” or “DON´T BREAK
THE LAW!” makes passengers aware about serious plant pests and diseases carried by means of luggage -
worldwide! All that is to avoid losses of valuable yields of farmers and horticulturists etc., as well as to pro-
tect ornamental plants and trees in the region respectively in urban areas.
To avoid complaints or any trouble after a long-haul flight, you are kindly requested to
ensure, that all your plants, fruit and vegs, etc. are free from plant pests and diseases
or even that they are not prohibited to entering EU territory. That is to say that all reg-
ulated plants and many fruit, plant produce etc. have to be checked by your local plant
health authority, in sufficient time prior to your “take off” to EU of course! For regu-
lated goods freedom from pests and diseases shall be stated by a phytosanitary certifi-
cate (PC) issued by your local competent authority. Good to know, there is no excep-
tion for small quantities if you are traveling on a long distance flight, entering EU
territory via Frankfurt International Airport. Unless your goods originate verifia-
bly from European none EU- or from Mediterranean countries, in that particular case exceptions may apply.
EUs relevant regulated “green” goods are listed, amongst others, within annex V of
EU Plant Health Directive 2000/29/EC. If you are not sure, please ask for precise details about “can I
bring it to EU” issues at your local plant health office. Please take into account that many quarantine
pests or diseases may hiding in your carried goods, particularly their eggs or their tiny larvae.
Please note, all those regulated goods, amongst others all plants, destined to entering EU territory
 shall be accompanied by a valid PC (by the original document, no copy will be accepted),
 shall be declared at customs or at plant health authority at the point of entry.
 are subject to phytosanitary checks at the point of entry.
Otherwise your valuable perishables or plants etc. can be rejected and a caution might be issued.
Moreover, possibly you will be charged for the safe destruction of your rejected goods.
Presently the following plants and plant produce are on top of the complaints stats at Frankfurt
International Airport.
Mainly rejected goods Caused through / e.g. findings of pests and diseases
Orchid-cutflowers (mostly dendrobium sp.) Thrips palmi, absence of phytosanitary certificate (PC)
Momordica sp. (bitter guord), Fruit flies, thrips, several caterpillars
Mango, annona, citrus, capsicum sp (chili peppers), Fruit flies, absence of PC
Vegs like fresh basil, mex. coriander, etc., eggplant Leaf miner, eggplant borer, thrips
Plants in general Nematodes, white fly, viruses, wood boring insects
Hostplants of xylella fastidiosa Bacteria, freedom for areas of origin required
Seeds, e.g. of tomato, capsicum. Missing PC
Hidden serious emergencies Entry into EU is prohibited without a valid Phytosanitary certificate
Any questions concerning EU plant health import issues? planthealth@rpgi.hessen.de is still “on call”.
please turn over …
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, “Don´t risk it”: poster, leaflet and animation
http://www.eppo.int/PUBLICATIONS/poster/poster&leaflet.htm
http://www.eppo.int/PUBLICATIONS/poster/poster_countries/OrganismiNociviAlieni_60sec_ENG.mp4 (animation)
http://pflanzenschutzdienst.rp-giessen.de/pflanzenbeschau/ (providing this pages)

2. The following examples and requirements cover the majority of cases and does not represent an exhaustive listing!
© 2016 & pictures Regierungspraesidium Giessen (planthealth@rp-giessen.de), 51.4 ww
2
Can I bring it to EU?
Please plan your imports prior you are leav-
ing, get a valid phytosanitary certificate for
regulated items, e.g. for (see below)
EU import-requirements are risk
based and often depending on the
origin of the items. Ask your local
plant health authority for details!
Can I bring it to EU?
Orchid cutflowers/bouquets … Yes, but in addition to any hint of treat-
ment on the boxes, a phytosanitary
certificate issued by your local compe-
tent authority is still mandatory. Orchids
are regulated. If you travel to Frankfurt,
don´t believe in opposed statements,
neither at the Airport of departure!
Cutflowers, amongst others orchids
(mostly bouquets of dendrobium sp.)
are undoubtly No.1 of rejected items.
All plants, even plants in vitro.
A few seeds, amongst others seeds of
tomato, chili, rice , zea mays and sun-
flower …
Yes, with a few exceptions (see below),
but a valid phytosanitary certificate issued
by the competent authority is mandatory.
Moreover there are special requirements,
e.g. for hostplants of xylella fastidiosa (aera
of origin freedom must be notified by the
competent national plant protection organi-
sation (NPPO) to EU-Commission).
Amongst others solanum, citrus, vitis and a
few more plants are prohibited to enter
EU, the same applies for soil.
Fruit, amongst others citrus only without
leaves, mango, annona, pomelo, apple,
pear, plum, guava, passionfruit …
Yes, but a phytosanitary certificate
issued by your local competent au-
thority is mandatory.
Many fruit, such as mango or annona
implicate a high risk of infestation with
dangerous fruit flies. The same ap-
plies usually for many garden grown
items.
Vegetables, amongst others chili peppers,
momordica (bitter guord), basil, mexican
coriander (stinking), okra …
Yes, but a phytosanitary certificate
issued by competent authority is
mandatory.
Hard to believe, but chili peppers are
frequently infested with dangerous
fruit flies.
You shall declare your regulated items on arrival!
Thank you for your cooperation.
Welcome to Frankfurt!
- -3- …
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, “Don´t risk it”: poster, leaflet and animation
http://www.eppo.int/PUBLICATIONS/poster/poster&leaflet.htm
http://www.eppo.int/PUBLICATIONS/poster/poster_countries/OrganismiNociviAlieni_60sec_ENG.mp4 (animation)
http://pflanzenschutzdienst.rp-giessen.de/pflanzenbeschau/ (including this pages)

3. DON'T RISK IT!
This poster was prepared by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (OEPP/EPPO - www.eppo.int)
in collaboration with Dr David Slawson (Fera, GB) - Design Armelle Roy (FR)
Pests and diseases can hide on plants.
Please do not bring home plants,
VHHGV IUXLW YHJHWDEOHV RU ƪRZHUV
Please contact:
Regierungspräsidium Gießen
Pflanzenschutzdienst Hessen
Geb. 454, Perishable Center
D-60549 Frankfurt/M.-Airport
Germany
planthealth@rpgi.hessen.de
Phone +49 69 69502-450