Phytosanitary Control, Form 3 & Form 4 — Plant Cargo Import Clearance
When importing flowers, vegetables, fruit, seeds, seedlings, timber or wooden houses into Georgia, the cargo is subject to phytosanitary border control. To clear it through customs you need a correctly completed Form 3 — the common phytosanitary entry document. ganbajeba.ge prepares this document in 1 business day and handles full customs clearance via eCustoms — checking the documents in advance to keep the risk of errors, fines and delays to a minimum.
Some fruit and vegetables — for example sweet peppers, lemons and mandarins — depending on the country of origin also need Form 4 — the common entry document (CED) alongside Form 3. We prepare both together and tell you in advance which one your cargo needs.
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What is phytosanitary control
Phytosanitary control is the border inspection of goods of plant origin that protects the country from harmful organisms and diseases. It is carried out by the National Food Agency or the Revenue Service and includes document checks, cargo identification, visual inspection and, where necessary, laboratory analysis. Phytosanitary control takes place where the cargo is located — at the customs checkpoint or another authorised site. Passing this control is mandatory before plant products can be released for import.
What is Form 3 (the common phytosanitary entry document)
Form 3 is the document completed in Georgia when plant cargo is imported. It confirms that the cargo has passed phytosanitary border control and is allowed for import. It is filled out on the basis of the phytosanitary certificate issued abroad. Without this document, plant products cannot be cleared through customs.
Phytosanitary certificate vs Form 3 — the difference
| Phytosanitary certificate | Form 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues it | The country of origin (the exporter) | Completed in Georgia, at import |
| When | Before shipping, abroad | On arrival, before clearance |
| Our role | ❌ We do not obtain this | ✅ We prepare this |
Important: the phytosanitary certificate is obtained by the exporter in the country of origin. In Georgia, on the basis of that certificate, we prepare Form 3 and clear your cargo through customs.
What is Form 4 (the common entry document, CED)
Form 4 — the common entry document (CED, Common Entry Document) is completed when importing food and feed of non-animal origin. Form 3 is about plant health — pests and diseases. Form 4 is about food safety.
Not all fruit and vegetables need Form 4. It is required for specific products when they come from specific countries: the same product may need Form 4 from one country and not from another. For example, in our practice Turkish sweet peppers and lemons require Form 4, while Turkish aubergines do not.
Form 3 vs Form 4 — the difference
| Form 3 | Form 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Common phytosanitary entry document | Common entry document (CED) |
| What it covers | Plant health — pests and diseases | Safety of food and feed |
| Which cargo | Plant cargo: fruit, vegetables, flowers, timber, grain | Specific food of non-animal origin, depending on the country of origin (e.g. sweet peppers, lemons, mandarins) |
| Our role | ✅ We prepare it | ✅ We prepare it |
Important: Form 4 does not replace Form 3. If your cargo needs both, both must be ready — clearance cannot be completed without either one.
💡 Send us the HS code and the country of origin — we will tell you in advance whether your cargo needs Form 3, Form 4 or both.
Which cargo needs phytosanitary control / Form 3
| Cargo category | Example |
|---|---|
| 🌸 Flowers and live plants | Cut flowers, potted plants, nursery stock |
| 🥬 Vegetables and fruit | Fresh and dried produce, citrus |
| 🌱 Seeds and seedlings | Sowing material, seedlings, saplings |
| 🪵 Timber, wood material and wooden houses | Timber, wooden houses/cottages, wood packaging (ISPM-15) |
| 🌾 Grain and nuts | Wheat, corn, hazelnuts, dried fruit |
💡 Not sure whether your cargo needs phytosanitary control? Send us the HS code or invoice — we will tell you in advance. If your cargo falls under technical regulations, you will also need an import prior notification.
Required documents
- Phytosanitary certificate (issued abroad, accompanies the cargo)
- Invoice and transport document (CMR / AWB / B/L)
- Packing list
- If required — an import permit for plant products
How we work — 4 steps
1. Send us the documents
Certificate, invoice and transport document — via WhatsApp, Telegram or email.
2. We prepare Form 3 and, if needed, Form 4
We correctly complete Form 3 in 1 business day; if needed, Form 4 and the import permit as well.
3. Phytosanitary border control
The cargo passes inspection and is cleared for import.
4. Customs clearance via eCustoms
We file the declaration; the cargo goes straight to your warehouse.
Turnaround and fees
| Turnaround | 1 business day |
| Customs fee | from 50 GEL with an ASYCUDA pre-arrival declaration (50 / 150 / 200 GEL by cargo value; standard rate 100 / 400 / 500 GEL) |
| Phytosanitary control fee | 100 GEL per declaration (150 GEL if a laboratory test is required) |
| ganbajeba service fee | 100 GEL |
Phytosanitary control and clearance — in one place
For many importers, phytosanitary control and customs clearance are two separate headaches. With ganbajeba.ge it is one process: we prepare Form 3 and, if needed, Form 4, verify the phytosanitary certificate and accompanying papers, coordinate border control and start the declaration the same day. This keeps the risk of your cargo waiting at the border, and of extra costs, to a minimum. Correct phytosanitary control together with timely clearance saves importers both time and money.
What happens if Form 3 is completed incorrectly
An error or incomplete information in the document leads to the cargo being held at the border, extra costs and possible fines. That is why it matters that Form 3 is prepared by an experienced declarant — we check the document in advance and fix any issues before the cargo arrives.
Why ganbajeba.ge
- Licensed customs broker, authorised declarant in eCustoms
- Practical experience clearing cargo subject to phytosanitary control
- Form 3 — in 1 day, with documents checked in advance
- Form 4 — we check in advance whether your cargo needs it and prepare it together with Form 3
- 10+ years of customs practice, 1500+ cargoes cleared
- Free consultation before your cargo arrives
ID 402342924 · eCustoms state license · verify on rs.ge
Frequently asked questions
What is Form 3?
Form 3 is the common phytosanitary entry document, completed in Georgia when plant cargo is imported, confirming that phytosanitary control has been passed.
What is Form 4?
Form 4 is the common entry document (CED). It is completed when importing food and feed of non-animal origin and concerns food safety. It is required for specific products depending on the country of origin — for example sweet peppers, lemons, mandarins.
Do I need both Form 3 and Form 4?
Sometimes, yes. Form 3 (the common phytosanitary entry document) is needed for plant cargo; Form 4 (the common entry document) for specific food from certain countries. For example, Turkish sweet peppers need both. Send us the HS code and the country of origin — we will tell you in advance.
What is the difference between the phytosanitary certificate and Form 3?
The certificate is issued by the country of origin (the exporter). Form 3 is completed in Georgia at import, based on that certificate.
Do you obtain the phytosanitary certificate?
No. The certificate is obtained by the exporter in the country of origin. We prepare Form 3 and clear your cargo in Georgia.
Which cargo needs phytosanitary control?
Flowers, vegetables, fruit, seeds, seedlings, timber and wooden houses, wood packaging, grain — goods of plant origin.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
We obtain Form 3 in 1 business day. Customs fee from 50 GEL (ASYCUDA pre-arrival declaration — 50 / 150 / 200 GEL by cargo value), phytosanitary control fee an extra 100 GEL (150 GEL with a laboratory test), our service fee 100 GEL.
Does importing a wooden house/cottage need phytosanitary control?
Yes. Wood material and wooden products are subject to phytosanitary control, and wood packaging must meet the ISPM-15 standard.
Customs Broker | eCustoms & ASYCUDA
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