Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

A33: Packaging requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

04 November 2011 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No. 34720, 4 November 2011 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Regulations Relating To The Grading, Packing And Marking Of Plums And Prunes 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 persons shall sell plums and prunes in the Republic of South Africa--
(c) unless such plums and prunes are packed in accordance with the packing requirements as set out in regulations 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9
PACKING REQUIREMENTS
5. Containers in which plums and prunes are packed shall --
(a) be clean, dry, undamaged and suitable;
(b) not impart a foreign taste or odour to the plums and prunes;
(c) be free from any visible signs of fungus growth;
(d) be free from Arthropoda infestation; and
(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 plums and prunes are damaged or are at risk of being damaged, during normal storage, handling or transport.
6. (1) Only plums and prunes of the same quality, cultivar, ripeness and size shall be packed together in the same container.
(2) Class 1 plums and prunes in the same container must be uniform in colour.
(3) Plums and prunes shall be sized.
(4) Class 1 plums and prunes shall be packed to a suitable pattern or diagonally in one to three layers.
(5) If plums and prunes are packed in prepacked units, such units shall be packed in a suitable manner in an outer container: Provided that the prepacked units are new, clean, dry, undamaged and suitable.
Packing material
7. If packing material is used inside the containers, such packing material shall be clean, dry, odourless, not transmit to the plums and prunes any harmful substance or any substance that maybe injurious to human health and of a quality such as to avoid causing any external or internal damage to the plums and prunes.
Stacking of containers on pallets
8. If containers containing plums and prunes are palletised -
(a) the pallet shall be clean, undamaged and suitable;
(b) the pallet shall be free from any visible signs of fungus growth;
(c) the pallet shall be free from Arthropoda infestation;
(d) the containers shall be stacked firmly and square with each other and the pallet;
(e) only containers of the same dimensions shall be stacked in the same layer on the pallet; and
(f) 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 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)(c) and 5-9 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Plums and prunes 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries