Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

A33: Packaging requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

03 October 2014 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No. 38033, 3 October 2014 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Regulations Relating To The Quality, Grading, Packing And Marking Of Tomatoes 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 tomatoes, other than imported tomatoes referred to in subregulation (2), --
(iii) unless the tomatoes are packed in a container and in the manner prescribed in regulations 7,8 and 9.
Requirements for containers
7. (1) Containers in which tomatoes are packed shall--
(a) be intact, clean, suitable and strong enough for the packing and normal handling of tomatoes;
(b) not impart a taste or odour to the tomatoes;
(c) be free from any foreign matter other than the tomatoes packed therein and the packing material in which tomatoes are customarily packed;
(d) in' the case of containers that are re-used, the container should --
(i) be of such material that the container can be cleaned and disinfected prior to re-use;
(ii) be thoroughly clean before tomatoes are packed therein; and
(iii) be free from all marks and labels removed or be covered by new labels.
(2) A carrier container shall be strong enough not to bulge out or dent in during normal handling and transporting practices.
Packing requirements
8. Each container of tomatoes shall -
(a) be packed with tomatoes to the full capacity thereof; and
(b) in the case of classified tomatoes, contain tomatoes of the same class and size group and as far as practical possible of the same colour.
Stacking of containers on pallets
9. If containers containing tomatoes are palletised --
(a) the pallet shall be clean, undamaged and suitable and not transmit to tomatoes any harmful substance or any substance that may be injurious to human health;
(b) the pallet for imported consignments of tomatoes shall comply with the requirements of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM 15);
(c) the pallet shall be free from Arthropoda infestation and any visible signs of fungal growth;
(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 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 2 (1) (iii), 7-9 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Tomatoes 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries