Exporting

This page outlines the processes and procedures necessary for the export of plants, plant products, animals and animal products from Solomon Islands to other countries who have import conditions for these items.

The Solomon Islands Government strongly supports international cooperation in controlling pests of plants and plant products and of animals and animal products through science based quarantine measures that will prevent the unintended spread of pests to other countries through imported products. We comply with the principles and systems developed by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the World Organisation for Animal Health, (OIE)

The first step

In simple terms the first step is to identify the conditions for entry being imposed by the importing country (for commercial products these are known as market access conditions). In some instances Biosecurity Solomon Islands (BSI) will be able to help exporters as some items are exported regularly and the conditions are well known, see examples below. But by far the best method to do this is for your importer to ask the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of the importing country itself.

BSI staff may be able to help with contact details for some and many now have websites that contain this information. View our list of country contacts.

Discuss with BSI

Once the conditions for entry are known exporters are recommended, before items to be exported are purchased, to discuss the conditions with BSI staff to determine whether and how these can best be complied with. If the conditions appear to be too difficult it may be possible in some instances for BSI to negotiate equivalent conditions that can be met.

Negotiation with the importing country National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO)

If the importing country has no published conditions of entry for the product you wish to export then it may be necessary to negotiate new conditions for entry. A useful first step in this process is for the importer in the country to approach the NPPO of the importing country and seek their advice on how best to proceed. In some instances the process can be straight forward. If the importer is unable to do this or if the response from the importing country is not helpful then a more formal negotiations by BSI may be necessary.

Import Risk Analysis

The formal process of negotiation of market access conditions for commercial trade in plants or animals or plant or animal products is done between NPPOs and can be slow and expensive, depending on the complexity of the issue. Therefore before starting this process exporters are requested to provide evidence that the market demand for the product in the importing country is high and any potential profits from the trade will justify the expense of the process. In the first instance potential exporters are recommended to contact the Market Access team at BSI Head Office, Honiara.

The process commonly begins with a formal request from the exporting country for access for the item. The importing country NPPO will then usually ask BSI to provide large amounts of data concerning the commodity, how and where it is produced, how it is processed and what pests may be present in Solomon Islands that could travel with the commodity while being exported. The exporter and BSI will have to work closely together to gather this information and for BSI to present it to the importing country. The importing country will use this data to carry out an Import Risk Analysis (IRA) on the commodity. It is up to the importing country to use the IRA process to determine whether it will require measures to ensure any risks associated with the trade are managed at an acceptable level. Sometimes negotiation is required between NPPOs in order to agree on measures that are the minimum necessary to satisfy the risk concerns of the importing country and do not significantly add to the cost of exporting. Trade can only proceed after both NPPOs have agreed that the measures are appropriate.

Products commonly exported from Solomon Islands

* Note: commonly most countries require you to obtain an import permit first for commercial quantities.

FAQ - Common Questions