Phytosanitary Certificate Legalization for the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
A Phytosanitary Certificate is an official document issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that certifies plants, seeds, and other plant-based products are free from specified pests and diseases and comply with the importing country’s plant-health requirements.
For consignments destined to the United Arab Emirates, a properly authenticated and legalized phytosanitary certificate is required for customs clearance and acceptance by UAE plant and quarantine authorities.
Why Legalization of Phytosanitary Certificates Is Required
UAE import controls for plants and plant products are administered by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and related quarantine services. UAE authorities require foreign phytosanitary certificates to be authenticated and legalized prior to import to verify the origin, authenticity, and compliance of the shipment with UAE phytosanitary regulations. Legalization confirms that:
The certificate was issued and endorsed by USDA-APHIS.
The document’s signature and seal have been authenticated by the U.S. Department of State.
The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, D.C., or UAE MOFA validates the document for legal acceptance in the UAE.
Legalization prevents shipment rejection at arrival and ensures compliance with UAE plant health, quarantine, and import permit conditions.
UAE Legalization Process for Phytosanitary Certificates
The legalization sequence for a U.S.-issued Phytosanitary Certificate intended for the UAE typically comprises the following steps:
Obtain the USDA-APHIS Phytosanitary Certificate
Request APHIS inspection and obtain the official certificate that names the importing country (United Arab Emirates) and includes required statements and endorsements by APHIS.Authentication by the U.S. Department of State
Submit the original APHIS-issued certificate to the Office of Authentications at the U.S. Department of State for federal verification of the issuing officer’s signature and seal.Legalization by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates
Once authenticated by the U.S. Department of State, the certificate is submitted to the Embassy of the UAE in Washington, D.C., (or the appropriate UAE consular representation) for legalization or MOFA attestation to permit official use in the UAE.Import Permit & MOCCAE Clearance (UAE side)
Importers must obtain any required MOCCAE import permits and ensure the shipment details match the phytosanitary certificate; MOCCAE may require additional statements (treatment, packaging, or permitting details) on the certificate.
Federal Documents Processing Time & Fees.
| Service | Fees | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Service fee | $100 | - |
| Maryland notary, court and state fees | $15 | 1 |
| U.S. Department of State fee | $20 | 9 |
| Embassy of UAE fee | $700 | 8 |
| Total | $835 | 18 business days |
When a Legalized Phytosanitary Certificate Is Required in the UAE A legalized Phytosanitary Certificate is required for the importation of: Fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and edible plant products. Seeds, seedlings, bulbs, and live plants. Timber, wood products, cut flowers, and other plant-based materials subject to phytosanitary controls. Any agricultural consignments that require pest-free or treatment declarations under UAE import rules. Consignments arriving without proper certification and legalization may be refused entry, subject to quarantine measures, or returned to the origin country. Required Documents Applicants or exporters must submit the following items for legalization processing: Original USDA-APHIS Phytosanitary Certificate (original endorsed copy). Completed Service Request Form specifying the United Arab Emirates as the destination country. Payment instrument covering applicable processing and legalization fees. Prepaid return envelope with tracking for the legalized original (where applicable). All documents must be original, legible, and include verifiable seals and ink endorsements as required by APHIS and U.S. Department of State procedures. Important Notes Import permits from MOCCAE must be obtained prior to shipment when required; permits are normally applied for on MOCCAE’s electronic services platform. The phytosanitary certificate should include any treatment, processing, or packaging statements requested by UAE authorities (e.g., treatment type, disinfestation details). Electronic copies alone are not sufficient for embassy legalization unless specifically permitted; original endorsed documents and ink signatures/embossed seals are typically required by APHIS and the U.S. Department of State.
The Embassy or MOFA may return non-compliant or incomplete submissions; any additional UAE ministry requirements (e.g., CITES documentation for certain species) must be satisfied prior to clearance.
How to Submit Your Phytosanitary Certificate for Legalization
Prepare a complete submission package that includes the original APHIS-endorsed phytosanitary certificate, the required Service Request Form, payment for fees, and a tracked return envelope. Ensure MOCCAE import permits and any other UAE ministry clearances are in place before initiating legalization to avoid delays.