Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

A33: Packaging requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

24 May 2013 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No. 36480, 24 May 2013 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Regulations Relating To The Grading, Packing And Marking Of Fresh Vegetables 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

2. (1) No person shall sell in the Republic of South Africa fresh vegetables, other than imported fresh vegetables referred to in subregulation 2;
(d) unless the fresh vegetables comply with the packing requirements set out in regulations 6, 7, 8 and 9;
Packing requirements
6. (1) Only fresh vegetables of the same quality, cultivar and size, if sizes are prescribed in Part II, shall be packed together in the same container: Provided that different types of fresh vegetables may be packed together in the case of consumer packages.
(2) Class 1 in the same container shall be uniform with regard to colour and ripeness unless determined otherwise in Part II.
(3) Class 2 and Class 3 in the same container shall be uniform with regard to colour unless determined otherwise in Part II.
(4) The visible part of the contents of the container shall be representative of the entire contents.
(5) Each container shall be packed firmly and to capacity.
(6) Notwithstanding the requirements of subregulations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and regulations 7, 8 and 9 fresh vegetables shall comply with the packing and sorting requirements set out in Part II for individual fresh vegetable types.
Packing material
7. If packing material is used inside the containers, such packing material shall ;
(1) be clean, dry, odourless;
(2) be of a quality such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the fresh vegetables; and
(3) not transmit to the fresh vegetables any harmful substance or any substance that may be injurious to human health.
Stacking of containers on pallets
8. When containers containing fresh vegetables are palletised ;
(1) the pallet shall be clean, undamaged and suitable and not transmit to fresh vegetables any harmful substance or any substance that may be injurious to human health;
(2) pallet manufactured from wood shall be without bark;
(3) the pallet for imported vegetables shall comply with the requirements of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM 15);
(4) the pallet shall be free from any visible signs of fungal growth;
(5) the pallet shall be free from Arthropoda infestation;
(6) the containers shall be stacked firmly and square with each other and the pallet;
(7) only containers of the same dimensions shall be stacked in the same layer on the pallet; and
(8) the containers shall not be stacked upside-down on the pallet.
Strapping of pallet loads
9. (1) A pallet load of containers shall be strapped or wrapped in a suitable manner.
(2) If containers without lids are being used, a suitable covering shall be placed on top of the pallet load of containers before the pallet load is strapped. 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 2 (1)(d); 6-9 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Fresh vegetables 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries