A fumigation certificate is a shipping document that shows cargo, packaging, or a transport container has actually been treated with a fumigant to control insects or other pests. It may be requested for agricultural goods, wood packaging, and certain food or plant products when the destination country requires proof of fumigation.
The certificate usually identifies the commodity, treatment method, date, and the party responsible for the fumigation. In many shipments, the exporter, freight forwarder, or customs broker helps coordinate it, but the actual treatment and certification are performed by a qualified pest-control or fumigation provider.
Requirements vary by country, product, and even the type of packing material used. Some shipments need no fumigation at all, while others may need a certificate before loading, before customs clearance, or before release at destination. If the paperwork does not match the shipment details, customs or the consignee may reject it.
This document can be relevant when wood crates, pallets, or other plant-based materials could carry pests across borders. Under ISPM 15, wood packaging can also be heat-treated; properly treated and marked wood packaging does not automatically require a separate fumigation certificate. A fumigation certificate is separate from a phytosanitary certificate, which addresses plant health, though the two documents can be related in agricultural trade.