Phytosanitary Certificate Under a Letter of Credit: Review Checklist
What to check on a phytosanitary certificate presented under a Letter of Credit.
Reviewed by LCCheck team (owner-approved) · 2026-10-12
Short answer
UCP 600 has no specific article for a phytosanitary certificate, so it must fulfil its function, meet any requirements in the Letter of Credit, and not conflict with other documents (Art. 14(d), 14(f)). It must be issued by the body the credit names; if none is named, ISBP 821 allows any entity, including the beneficiary. Import rules in the destination country may set additional requirements that the bank does not check.
| Specific UCP article | None — Art. 14 applies |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Usually the exporting country's plant protection authority |
| Must not | Conflict with invoice or transport documents |
What to check
- Issued by the authority the credit or import rules require.
- Botanical and common names consistent with the invoice.
- Quantity, packages and marks consistent.
- Consignee and destination consistent.
- Treatment details if required.
Common errors
- Common name differs from 45A.
- Issued after shipment when the credit or import rules require it before.
- Consignee conflicts with the bill of lading.
Sources
- ICC — UCP 600 (Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits)
- ICC Academy — avoiding Letter of Credit discrepancies
General guidance, not legal advice. Your bank examines documents independently.
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