Nursery stock movement is regulated by all states and foreign countries to minimize the spread of plant pests such as insects, diseases, or weeds.  South Carolina's plant nursery regulations require anyone growing, selling, or distributing nursery stock to be inspected and certified.  A nursery certificate tag must be attached to plant shipments to verify that the plants inside are certified to be pest-free and meet all applicable state and federal quarantines. 

• Nursery Certificate Tags can be obtained from the Department of Plant Industry and expire annually on December 31^st.
• In addition to Nursery Certificate Tags, nurseries may need Certificates of Quarantine Compliance (CQC) and State Phytosanitary Certificates.  These documents are used when states have additional requirements that are not covered by the nursery certificate tag.
• DPI inspectors are able to provide Federal Phytosanitary Certificates for nursery stock exports to foreign countries.
• Importation of nursery stock from foreign countries require certification from USDA, APHIS, PPQ Import Services.