Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B7: Product quality, safety or performance requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

30 November 2012 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No. 35910, 30 November 2012 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Regulations Relating To The Grading, Packing And Marking Of Citrus Fruit Intended For Sale In The Republic Of South Africa 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

Control over the sale of citrus fruit
2. (1) No person shall sell citrus fruit in the Republic of South Africa, other than imported citrus fruit referred to in sub regulation (3):
(a) unless the citrus fruit is sold according to the classes in regulation 3;
(b) unless the citrus fruit complies with the standards for classes in regulation 4;
Reproduced by Sabinet Online in terms of Government Printer’s Copyright Authority No. 10505 dated 02 February 1998
(c) unless the containers in which such citrus fruit is presented for sale complies with the requirements prescribed in regulation 5;
Classes for citrus fruits
3. There are three classes of citrus fruit namely Class 1, Class 2 and Lowest Class.
Standards for classes
4. (1) Citrus fruit shall- -
(a) be fit for human consumption; and
(b) contain no chemical residues that exceed the prescribed maximum residue levels;
(2)Citrus fruit shall comply with the specifications set out in Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
(3)No consignment of citrus fruit classified as "Class 1" or "Class 2" or "Lowest Class" shall contain --
(a) any organisms which may be a source of danger to the human being; and
(b) Arthropoda infestation including the organisms which according to paragraph (a) do not form part of plant injurious organisms, excluding organisms which may be a source of danger to the human being, on more than 3% of the citrus fruit or three free live Arthropoda per pallet load or part thereof in the consignment: Provided that it does not exceed a maximum of one Arthropoda per container.
5 (1) Containers, excluding bulk containers, in which citrus fruit is packed shall --
(a) be clean, dry, suitable and undamaged;
(b) not impart a foreign taste or odour to the citrus fruit;
(e) be strong and rigid enough to ensure that the original shape be retained and not bulge out, dent
in, break or tear, to the extent that citrus fruit are damaged or are at risk of being damaged,
during normal storage, handling or transport; and
(f) consist of pockets, cartons or any other suitable packaging material.
5(2) Bulk containers in which citrus fruit are packed shall --
(a) be suitable, clean, dry and undamaged;
10. (1) Uniformity
(a) The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only citrus fruit of the same origin, variety, quality and size (if sized) and the same degree of ripeness. The visible part of the contents of the package must be representative of the entire contents except for mixed sizes and varieties; and (b) If citrus fruit are packed to a specific count, the difference in diameter between the largest and the smallest citrus fruit in the same container shall not exceed the limits prescribed for the specific size reference as follows:
(aa) Lemons and limes 7 mm
(bb) Oranges or Seville oranges
- Size reference 0 to 2 11 mm
- Size reference 3 to 6 9mm
- Size reference 7 to 10 7mm
(bb) Soft citrus
- Size reference 1)00: to 4 : 11 mm
- Size reference 5 to 6 9 mm
- Size reference 7 to 10 7mm 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 2(1)(a) to (c), 3,4, 5(1) (a) to(b) and (e) to (f), 5 (2) (a) and 10 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Citrus fruit i.e grapefruit, kumquats, lemons, limes, oranges and Seville oranges, pummelos (Shaddocks) as well as soft citrus (easy peelers) 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries