Importing growing media

Obtain a phytosanitary certificate

Phytosanitary certificates are only issued for these purposes:

• Certify that plants, plant products or other regulated articles meet the phytosanitary import requirements of importing countries and conform to the certifying statement.
• Support re-export certification to other countries.

They are normally issued by the authority of agriculture or the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of the country of origin of the plants and plant products.

You need a phytosanitary certificate to import soil into Singapore if you intend to use it for planting purposes.

Importing for scientific testing purposes

If you are importing for scientific testing purposes, you must first apply for NParks' approval via the online feedback form.

We will assess the risk level of the items to be imported which may take an estimated 3 months to complete. You will receive an approval letter or email if your items are approved for import.

Additional declarations and treatments applied

Your phytosanitary certificate must include an additional declaration that your soil is free from plant parasitic organisms.

If the additional declaration is not available, your soil must receive one of the following treatments and be endorsed on the phytosanitary certificate:

Who to contact

Your supplier must arrange for the exporting country's authority of agriculture or National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) to inspect the growing medium you want to import into Singapore. The phytosanitary certificate will be issued if the soil meets Singapore's import conditions.

After receiving your phytosanitary certificate

After receiving your phytosanitary certificate, you must apply for an import permit before you can bring your soil into Singapore.

Obtain a phytosanitary certificate

A phytosanitary certificate is an original document that verifies that plants or plant products have been inspected, and are pest and disease-free. The phytosanitary certificate needs to be obtained from the authority in the country of export.

You need a phytosanitary certificate to import Peat Moss, Cocoa Moss, Sphagnum Moss or wood bark (excluding bark from Hevea spp) into Singapore if you intend to use it for planting purposes.

Importing for scientific testing purposes

If you are importing for scientific testing purposes, you must first apply for NParks' approval via the online feedback form.

We will assess the risk level of the items to be imported which may take an estimated 3 months to complete. You will receive an approval letter or email if your items are approved for import.

Additional declarations and treatments applied

Your phytosanitary certificate must include an additional declaration that your Peat Moss, Cocoa Moss, Sphagnum Moss or wood bark is free from plant parasitic nematodes.

If the additional declaration is not available, your soil must receive one of the following treatments and be endorsed on the phytosanitary certificate:

Who to contact

Your supplier must arrange for the exporting country's authority of agriculture or National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) to inspect the items you want to import into Singapore. The phytosanitary certificate will be issued if the items meet Singapore's import conditions.

After receiving your phytosanitary certificate

After receiving your phytosanitary certificate, you will have to apply for an import permit before you can bring your items into Singapore.

You must first apply for NParks' approval via the online feedback form.

We will assess the risk level of the items to be imported which may take an estimated 3 months to complete. You will receive an approval letter or email if your items are approved for import.