Agricultural products (fruit and vegetables)

If fruit and vegetables are to be imported into the European Union from a non-European Union country the admissibility of the import of the products may be dependent upon the presentation of a certificate of conformity or a disclaimer, as well as of an "agricultural certificate of origin".

Certificate of conformity and disclaimer for fruit and vegetables

The import of fresh fruit and vegetables into Germany is unrestricted only where the products destined for the fresh product market comply with the marketing standards that have been laid down by the organs of the European Union, and when a valid conformity certificate from the Federal Office of Agriculture and Food or from a third country with a recognised inspection service is presented, or if the Federal Office of Agriculture and Food agrees to the import by issuing a disclaimer.

These remarks are specified in the import list notes next to the relevant code numbers of the electronic customs tariff.

If the imported products do not meet the quality standards, the products cannot be imported and offered for sale on the fresh product market. However, it remains open to the importer to lodge a request with the Federal Office of Agriculture and Food that the products be used for another purpose, for example industrial processing, non-food use, or use as animal feed. The Federal Office of Agriculture and Food will issue the importer with an authorisation for the requested use.

Should a certificate of conformity or a waiver declaration (disclaimer) be required, the importer must be in possession of the valid certificate or disclaimer at the time that the import is being cleared.

Agricultural certificate of origin

When importing garlic originating from Lebanon, Malaysia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, or Vietnam into Germany, an agricultural certificate of origin pursuant to Articles 55 to 65 of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993 must be presented in addition to the import licence required under the marketing legislation.

The competent authorities for issuing such agricultural certificate of origin are:

• Iran: Teheran Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Mine
• Lebanon: Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture, Zahle and Bekaa, B.P. 100, Zahle Liban / Chambre de Commerce, d'Industrie et d'Agriculture, Beyrouth et du Mont Liban, Rue Justinien, B.P. 11 - 1801, Beyrouth Liban / Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture in Sidon and South Lebanon, Maarouf Saad Bd, P.O. Box 41, Saida Lebanon / Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture, Tripoli and North Lebanon, Boulevard Bechara Khoury, Tripoli, Lebanon
• Taiwan: Bureau of Commodity Inspection & Quarantine, Ministry of Economic Affairs for Export & Import Certificates, issued on behalf of: Ministry of Econ

The remaining countries have not designated any competent authorities. The import of garlic from these countries is not permitted.

These remarks are specified in the import list notes next to the relevant code numbers of the electronic customs tariff.