This summary outlines the steps and responsible parties involved in exporting apples from South Africa to the Kingdom of Thailand. For detailed regulations, refer to the bilateral agreement between the National Plant Protection Organisation of South Africa (NPPO) and the Department of Agriculture of the Kingdom of Thailand (DOA). This summary is for guidance only and does not replace official regulations.
Abbreviations
- DOA: Department of Thailand Agriculture
- NPPO: National Plant Protection Organisation (RSA)
- PPECB: Perishable Products Export Control Board
Export Process Overview
| Step | Responsible Party | Action | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Production | Grower | 1.1 Apply GAPs and keep records of control measures | Records must be available to DOA or NPPO on request. Access best practices via Hortgro’s website (Special Markets). Email Suzette Poole for access. |
| Grower | 1.2 Control Mediterranean and Natal Fruit Fly | ||
| 2. Import Permit | Thai DOA | 2.1 Issue import permit | Importer must obtain permit and supply to SA exporter. |
| 3. Phytosanitary Registration | Grower | 3.1 Register orchards with NPPO | Registration via E-cert or PhytClean. Hortgro will inform industry when registration opens. |
| Grower | 3.2 Make copies available to Thailand DOA | ||
| 4. Pack Houses | Grower | 4.1 Register PHC with NPPO | Copies must be available for DOA. NPPO audits before registration. Records must be available. |
| Pack House | 4.2 Source fruit only from registered orchards | ||
| Pack House | 4.3 Document Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) | ||
| 5. Cold Store Approval | PPECB | 5.1 Approve cold stores | Inspect and register cold stores. |
| 6. NPPO Audit Approval | NPPO | 6.1 Audit prior to registration and at least annually | |
| 7. NPPO Approval | Pack House | 7.1 Maintain documentation | |
| 8. Packing | Pack House | 8.1 Only apples in same type of package may be treated during cold disinfestation | Packaging must be uniform and free of quarantine pests. |
| Pack House | 8.2 Use only clean and new packaging | Mark cartons and pallets “EXPORTS TO THAILAND”. | |
| Pack House | 8.3 Fruit must be free from live insects, soil, sand, other plant materials | ||
| Pack House | 8.4 Mark cartons with required information | Include fruit name, PHC, PUC, orchard number. | |
| 9. Palletisation | Pack House | 9.1 Wooden pallets must comply with ISPM | Mark at least two corner blocks with ISPM mark. |
| 10. Fruit Inspection | PPECB | 10.1 Inspect fruit for quality and quarantine pests | |
| 11. Phyto Inspection | NPPO | 11.1 Ensure fruit has been inspected | Must be free of quarantine pests. Phyto certificate must record container and seal numbers. |
| NPPO | 11.2 Issue phytosanitary certificate | ||
| 12. Forced Air Cooling | Cold Store | 12.1 Forced air cool fruit to below target temperature | Only approved fruit in same room. Cool for minimum 72h to target temperature. |
| 13. Container Booking | Exporter | 13.1 Book containers in time | Follow protocol temperature and duration requirements. |
| Exporter | 13.2 Book temperature requirements as per PPECB Q25 document | ||
| 14. Container Preparation | PPECB | 14.1 Ensure container suitability | Must comply with bilateral agreement specs. Calibrate temperature sensors. |
| 15. Container Loading | Loading Point | 15.1 Load containers | Supply hourly temperature printouts to PPECB. Complete loading within 40 minutes. |
| 16. Insert Probes | PPECB | 16.1 Insert 3 on-board temperature probes | Insert as per bilateral agreement. Supervise loading. |
| 17. Cold Treatment | PPECB | 17.1 Close doors and attach numbered metal seal | Cold treatment can commence on land or be completed on arrival. |
| PPECB | 17.2 Cold treatment starts when doors are closed and probes reach protocol temperature | ||
| 18. Transport Container | Exporter | 18.1 Transport container to port terminal | Use gensets. |
Additional Notes
- All documentation and records must be available for inspection by NPPO and DOA.
- Only apples from registered orchards and pack houses may be exported.
- Packaging and pallets must comply with all regulatory requirements.
- **For further details, refer to the bilateral agreement and