Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

A33: Packaging requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

01 December 2016 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No. 39504, 1 December 2015 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Regulations Relating To The Grading, Packing And Marking Of Litchis 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 litchis in the Republic of South Africa --
(c) unless such litchis are packed in a container and in the manner prescribed in regulations 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9
Requirements for containers
5. (1 ) Litchis shall be packed in containers that are:
(a) suitable, clean, undamaged;
(b) not impart a foreign taste or odour to the litchis;
(c) strong and rigid enough to ensure that the original shape shall be retained and shall
not bulge out, dent in, break or tear during normal storage, handling or transport; and
(d) provided with suitable lids, where applicable.
Packing requirements
6. (1) Litchis in the same container shall be uniform with regard to ripeness, shape, size, appearance and cultivar.
( 2) Each container shall be packed to capacity.
(3) If litchis are packed in prepacked units, such units shall be packed in a suitable manner in an outer container: Provided that the prepacked units are clean, dry, undamaged and suitable.
(4) Where applicable, not more than 15 per cent of the ventilation holes of the carton containers in a consignment may be blocked by unpunched-out portions and/or litchis.
Packing material
7. If packing material is used inside the container such packing material shall be new, clean, dry, odourless, and not transmit to the litchis any harmful substance or any substance that may be injurious to litchis.
Stacking of containers on pallets
8. If containers containing litchis are palletised --
(a) the pallet shall be clean, undamaged, suitable and not transmit to the litchis any harmful substance or any substance that may be injurious to human health;
(b) pallets manufactured from wood shall be free from bark;
(c) the pallet shall be free from any visible signs of fungal growth;
(d) the pallet shall be free from Arthropod infestation;
(e) the containers shall be stacked firmly and square with each other and with the pallet;
(f) only containers of the same dimensions shall be stacked in the same layer on the pallet; and
(g) containers shall not be stacked upside-down on the pallet.
Strapping of pallet loads
9. (a) A pallet load of containers shall be strapped in a suitable manner.
(b) If containers without lids are being used, a suitable covering may be placed on top of the pallet load of containers before the pallet load is strapped.
Provisions concerning presentation
10. ( 1) Uniformity
The contents of each package must be uniform and contain only litchis 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. 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 2(1) (c), 5-10 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Litchis 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries