Trade Facilitation Division - Guidelines for the Importation of Plants and Plant Products

Plants, plant products and other regulated articles (include but are not limited to – plants, trees, shrubs, Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, seeds, sod/grass, fruits, vegetables, wood & straw handicraft, cut flowers, bulbs etc.) may be imported into The Bahamas under the following conditions:

1. An Import Permit from the Department of Agriculture through the MyGateway Portal, must be obtained that specifies The Bahamas' import requirements.
2. A Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the exporting country in accordance with International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 12 (ISPM 12). The phytosanitary certificate must include the following where applicable:
   1. Sufficient detail to enable identification of the consignment and its component parts. Information must include country and state/place of origin;
   2. The scientific name of the plant species;
   3. Full details of any treatments applied;
   4. A certifying statement, or a variation that is compliant with ISPM 12.
3. A Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) may be conducted if the commodity has never been previously imported into The Bahamas or the commodity originates from a country or region not previously approved.
4. If the commodity is regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), it meets the additional requirements.
5. The commodity meets the following packaging and shipping requirements:
   1. A typed list/invoice should accompany each consignment with the name of the collector/shipper and the scientific names (genus, species, and if possible, variety). Foreign language names and regional names are not acceptable. Plants or bundles of plants should be individually labeled. If different products within a consignment originate in different countries or places, or if products are mixed, blended or bulked, all countries or places should be indicated;
   2. Packaging material must be new, sterile and sturdy. If wood packaging is used, this should be treated, certified and comply with ISPM 15 on Wood Packaging Materials. Plants or plant products which have been wrapped, coated, dipped, sprayed, or otherwise packaged in plastic, wax or other impermeable material that prevents adequate inspection or treatment may be refused entry;
   3. The shipment is free from sand, soil, earth, and other growing media, foreign matter or debris, and living organisms such as parasitic plants, pathogens, insects, snails, and mites (extraneous matter).
6. Upon arrival to The Bahamas, shipments will be inspected to ensure they meet import requirements. If the consignment does not meet the conditions above, then the shipment will be refused entry.

Any plant or plant product imported through the mail or by couriers or freight forwarders shall be subject to these regulations; be clearly labelled in English as to its contents and have the required documentation securely sealed to the outside of the package.

*The same guidelines also apply to the travelling public, as passengers transiting the airport or other ports of entry must abide by the rules and regulations of meeting the documentary requirements - Import Permit and Phytosanitary Certificate to ensure compliance.