The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) issued a Notice on 27 May 2016 to regulate quality inspections on imported products:
The regulation requires that:
(a) each consignment of the regulated agricultural products imported for sale in the Republic of South Africa from the ports of entry specified has been inspected, graded, sampled for quality control
(b) there is written permission for the removal of a particular quantity of such product has been granted by the Executive Officer
(c) an application for the removal of a consignment of imported regulated agricultural products from a port of entry in terms of sections 4A(1)(b) and (2) of the Act
The proposed regulations will be promulgated under the Agricultural Product Standards Act (ACT 119 of 1990) and applies to all products for human consumption and intended for sale in South Africa, both locally produced and imported. Imported products will be subject to international treaties and commitments protecting geographical indications and designations of origin.
Following the prohibition, DALRRD proceeded to appoint various assignees to execute the inspections on the various product types. PROKON has been appointed as the assignee that will be responsible for quality inspections on imported and locally produced fresh produce intended for sale on the local market. Notice 1 of 2017 contains the inspection fees imposed by the Act for specified categories of fresh produce.
Imported product will be inspected against CODEX standards. Where no CODEX standard exists, the DALRRD local market standard will apply.
LINK TO CODEX STANDARDS:
http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/codex-texts/all-standards/en/
LIST OF CODEX STANDARDS:
REF NO
|
TITLE OF STANDARD
|
CXS 330-2018
|
Standard for Aubergines
|
CXS 326-2017
|
Standard for Black, White and Green Peppers
|
CXS 317-2014
|
Standard for Durian
|
CXS 316-2014
|
Standard for Passion Fruit
|
CXS 318-2014
|
Standard for Okra
|
CXS 310-2013
|
Standard for Pomegranate
|
CXS 307-2011
|
Standard for Chilli Peppers
|
CXS 299-2010
|
Standard for Apples
|
CXS 293-2008
|
Standard for Tomatoes
|
CXS 255-2007
|
Standard for Table Grapes
|
CXS 246-2005
|
Standard for Rambutan
|
CXS 245-2004
|
Standard for Oranges
|
CXS 237-2003
|
Standard for Pitahayas
|
CXS 226-2001
|
Standard for Cape Gooseberry
|
CXS 225-2001
|
Standard for Asparagus
|
CXS 219-1999
|
Standard for Grapefruits
|
CXS 213-1999
|
Standard for Limes
|
CXS 214-1999
|
Standard for Pummelos
|
CXS 215-1999
|
Standard for Guavas
|
CXS 217-1999
|
Standard for Mexican Limes
|
CXS 218-1999
|
Standard for Ginger
|
CXS 220-1999
|
Standard for Longans
|
CXS 204-1997
|
Standard for Mangosteens
|
CXS 205-1997
|
Standard for Bananas
|
CXS 200 -1995
|
Standard for Peanuts
|
CXS 197-1995
|
Standard for Avocado
|
CXS 196-1995
|
Standard for Litchi
|
CXS 188-1993
|
Standard for Baby Corn
|
CXS 186-1993
|
Standard for Prickly Pear
|
CXS 184-1993
|
Standard for Mangoes
|
CXS 183-1993
|
Standard for Papaya
|
CXS 182-1993
|
Standard for Pineapples
|
CXS 143-1985
|
Standard for Dates
|
CXS 66-1981
|
Standard for Table Olives
|
Notice 1269 of 04 October 2019 prohibits the removal of imported product from specified ports of entry or any other place determined by the Executive Officer.
EXEMPTIONS: The prohibition notice makes provision for exemptions, please note specifically section 2 (b) ‘’Products intended for use in the manufacture of another product or for the purpose of further processing or repackaging’’, and section 2 (c) ‘’Individual products that have established a history of compliance based on the inspection frequency as determined by the Executive Officer’’, and section 2 (d) ‘’ Products in transit to a neighbouring country: Provided that the accompanying documentation shall clearly reflect the name of the destination country’’
On 04 October 2019 DALRRD issued an amendment Notice to specify the ports of entry