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Garlic shares its main plant-health concern with onions — white rot — and, when sold dehydrated, adds a food-safety layer. This guide sets out what an importer and exporter need in place to move Egyptian garlic (fresh bulbs and dehydrated) cleanly: phytosanitary certification, the key disease, residue limits, marketing standards and certification.
Quick answer: To export Egyptian garlic you need a phytosanitary certificate (the key disease is white rot, Sclerotium cepivorum), compliance with destination MRLs (EU: Regulation (EC) No 396/2005) and the EU general marketing standard, plus GLOBALG.A.P., ISPM 15 wood packaging and lot-coded traceability. Dehydrated garlic additionally needs HACCP with ISO 22000 or BRCGS and microbiological control. Garlic trades under HS code 0703.20.
Table of Contents
Phytosanitary certification and white rot
Every consignment travels with an official phytosanitary certificate from Egypt’s plant-quarantine authority, confirming inspection and freedom from quarantine pests and diseases. The headline concern for garlic (as for onions) is white rot (Sclerotium cepivorum), a soil-borne fungal disease, so field history and clean, sound bulbs matter. Garlic does not face the brown-rot pest-free-area regime that governs potatoes, which keeps its plant-health pathway comparatively simple — but the certificate is mandatory.
Pesticide residues and MRLs
Egyptian garlic must meet destination MRLs — for the EU, Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. Approved products and pre-harvest intervals must be observed, and buyers may request residue test reports with shipments.
Marketing standard and quality
Garlic falls under the EU’s general marketing standard, meaning bulbs must be sound, clean, firm, sufficiently dry, free from damage and correctly labelled with origin. Consistent curing and grading are what keep consignments compliant and claim-free.
Certification, traceability and packaging
For EU and UK retail and processing, GLOBALG.A.P. (often with the GRASP add-on) is the baseline, alongside packhouse food-safety management (HACCP) and clear lot-coded traceability. Wood pallets and dunnage must be ISPM 15 compliant.
Dehydrated garlic: an added food-safety layer
Dehydrated garlic (flakes, granules, minced, powder) is a processed food, so it requires full food-safety management: HACCP with a GFSI-recognised scheme (ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000 or BRCGS), strict hygiene, and microbiological control (including for pathogens such as Salmonella). Buyers routinely require micro test reports.
Document checklist
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Phytosanitary certificate | Confirms inspection & freedom from pests/disease (fresh) |
| Certificate of Origin | Proves Egyptian origin |
| EUR.1 movement certificate | Preferential tariff treatment where applicable |
| Commercial invoice & packing list | Customs valuation and contents |
| Bill of lading | Transport / title document |
| GLOBALG.A.P. certificate | Good agricultural practice assurance |
| Food-safety cert (dehydrated: ISO 22000 / BRCGS) | Processed-product assurance |
| Residue / micro test report | MRL (fresh) & microbiological (dehydrated) |
| ISPM 15 marked pallets | Compliant wood packaging |
Frequently asked questions
What is the main disease concern for exporting garlic?
White rot (Sclerotium cepivorum), a soil-borne fungus shared with onions; clean field history and sound bulbs are essential.
Does garlic need pest-free-area sourcing like potatoes?
No – garlic is not subject to the brown-rot pest-free-area regime, but a phytosanitary certificate is still required.
Which residue rules apply?
Destination MRLs – for the EU, Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 – with approved products and pre-harvest intervals.
What does dehydrated garlic require?
HACCP plus a GFSI scheme (ISO 22000/FSSC 22000 or BRCGS), strict hygiene and microbiological control (e.g. for Salmonella).
What HS code applies?
Garlic falls under HS code 0703.20.
How to cite this page
PEI Trade. “Egyptian Garlic Export Requirements.” peitrade.com, 2026. https://peitrade.com/egyptian-garlic-export-requirements/
Sources
- European Commission — MRLs (Regulation (EC) No 396/2005), general marketing standard, plant-health (white rot) requirements.
- GLOBALG.A.P.; ISO 22000 / BRCGS; ISPM 15 (IPPC) — certification and wood-packaging standards.
- EFSA / industry guidance — microbiological control for dehydrated garlic.
This page is part of our Egyptian Garlic Export Guide hub.
Export Egyptian garlic the compliant way with PEI Trade. Phytosanitary documentation, GLOBALG.A.P. handling, residue compliance for fresh, and HACCP/BRCGS-level food safety with microbiological control for dehydrated — with EU/UK-ready paperwork. Contact: sales@peitrade.com · WhatsApp +20 109 911 1918 · www.peitrade.com