Following successful pilot at four Chinese ports, Ecert is set to be officially launched in December
Chile is set to become the first country to operate electronic phytosanitary certification for fruit exports to China.
According to Frutas de Chile, the Ecert system, which eliminates the use of paper certificates, was successfully tested between August and October in the Chinese ports of Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, which between them handle 60 per cent of Chilean fruit shipments to China.
Its implementation will continue through November, with the official launch of electronic certification expected in December.
“During this period, all fruit exports destined for the four ports mentioned will be able to continue operating under the pilot electronic certification scheme, which means not using the printed phytosanitary certificate,” Frutas de Chile said.
“Once this process is complete, the system will be progressively extended to all maritime, land, and airports in China. It is worth noting that, once fully implemented, Chile will be the first country to operate this electronic certification system for fruit exports to the Chinese market.”
The Chilean Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) said it is already training its port offices on the procedures associated with this implementation.
