Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

P69: Export technical measures, n.e.s. 

Date when the measure came into force

16 January 2015 

Publication where the measure is specified

Statutory Instrument 8 of 2015 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Food and Food Standards ( Import and Export) Regulations, 2015 

Country/Region applying the measure

Zimbabwe 

The rationale of the measure

Not specified in the regulations 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

4 (1) Subject to these regulations, any food imported into or exported from Zimbabwe shall be subject to inspection, analysis and, where necessary, to detention, disposal or destruction in terms of the Act at any port of entry into or out of Zimbabwe unless the importer or exporter holds a Food Sanitary Certificate issued in respect of the food concerned. A Food Sanitary Certificate is issued in accordance with procedure outlined in the Food and Food Standards (Inspection and Certification) Regulations, 2015.
(2) A Pre-shipment inspection shall ensure that any food intended for importation or exportation is in compliance with the Act or any relevant regulations made in terms of the Act or any other enactment.
(3) Where any food is not specifically covered by the Act, or any regulations, provisions of the CODEX relevant to the food concerned may apply.
(4) Where an importer or exporter fails to produce a Food Sanitary Certificate, the food shall be subject to inspection and analysis in terms of the Act and for that purpose, shall be detained at the port of entry, a designated warehouse or as may otherwise be directed by the competent authority at the said port pending the inspection and analysis.

(6) The cost of inspection, analysis and detention of any food shall be borne by the importer or exporter as the case may be.
(7) Detained food shall not be disposed of in any way or removed from detention except on the written authority of an inspector or an order of a competent court in Zimbabwe.

5. Where an exporter has the prior approval of the competent authority of the importing country for the export of any specified food without a Food Sanitary Certificate, the requirements of section 4 may be waived

6. A Food Sanitary Certificate shall not exempt an exporter or importer from complying with any other preshipment veterinary, biotechnological, plant quarantine, phytosanitary and GMO requirement under the law.

7. (1) Where Zimbabwe has an equivalence agreement with any country, a certificate equivalent to a Food Sanitary Certificate issued by a competent authority of any such county may be accepted at a port of entry and a pre-shipment inspection may, unless specifically demanded by a competent authority on goods cause shown, not be required.
(2) A competent authority in Zimbabwe may seek verification of any certificate equivalent to a Food Sanitary Certificate issued by a competent authority to a Food Sanitary Certificate issued by a competent authority of any country. 

Reference of the measure

Art 4(1) and (4) 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

All food exported 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries