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Soft unpasteurised cheeses are prohibited for export to South Africa.

There are no other known products that are prohibited for export to this market.

Milk and milk products of bovine origin are defined as prescribed goods under the Export Control Act. Production of these products for export is regulated under the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

Milk and milk products manufactured from non-bovine species, for example buffalo, goat and sheep, may also need to be regulated through the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021, though this is only required when export registration and health certification from the Department is required by South Africa.

We are not aware that South Africa has any known additional requirements for the production and export of non-bovine milk and milk products.

Unless technical products and pharmaceutical material are prepared at an establishment that produces milk and milk products for export as food, these products are non prescribed goods. They are not regulated by the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

Unless animal food is prepared at an establishment that produces milk and milk products for export as food, these products are non prescribed goods.

In accordance with the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021, animal food must be clearly identified as animal food and not for human consumption. It must also be segregated from and not contaminate milk and milk products that are for human consumption.

South Africa has no known additional requirements for Manufacturing Grade milk and milk products that differ from the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

Manufacturing Grade products are defined in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

South Africa has no known additional requirements for microbial sampling of milk and milk products that differ from those required in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

South Africa residue standards

Maximum residue limits (MRLs) or import tolerances for residues of specific agricultural and veterinary chemicals approved for use in Australia may not exist in South Africa or may be established at levels lower than those established in Australia. Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants may also vary between South Africa and Australia.

Food business operators should note that:

• These differences can be interrogated case-by-case by considering the South Africa​ standards and the Australian standards.
• Any detection of a residue above the South Africa MRLs/MLs (as applicable) at the border may result in rejection of the consignment.

Note

Importing country residue standards can usually be found via the official webpages of their competent authority. Links to a limited number of export markets and Australia are provided on the DAFF website.

South Africa has no known additional requirements for general operations that differ from those required in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

South Africa has no known additional hygiene requirements that differ from those required in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

Milk and milk products that are prescribed under Australia's export rules

1. are milk or milk products derived from a bovine animal; and
2. are intended to be exported as food.

Milk and milk products that are not prescribed under Australia's export rules

Milk and milk products which do not meet the criteria under the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021 are classified by Australia as non-prescribed goods. It is the responsibility of the exporter to confirm with South Africa if there are any specific requirements for the import of these products. Typically, non-prescribed goods include, ice-cream, non-bovine milk products, colostrum and products with a minor component of dairy.

Further information on exporting non-prescribed goods from Australia is available on the Department's website.

In some cases, an importing country requires specific health certification and government oversight for what would typically be non-prescribed milk and milk products. When required, these products become prescribed under export legislation and must meet all export and importing country requirements. This includes, the products being manufactured and stored at an export registered establishment and must have a valid export permit and health certificate for each consignment. Guidance on export registration can be found at Dairy export registered establishments.

5.1.1 Health certificate for milk and milk products

For milk and milk products produced for human consumption (including milk and milk products classified as a prescribed good by an importing country), use Health Certificate template ZD050.

ZD050 Dairy Health Certificate

The ZD050 Certificate contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed good described above, being goods that are:

1. In sound condition
2. Fit for human consumption
3. Of Australian origin.

Endorsement 2018 - Dairy - South Africa veterinary statement

I, a veterinarian authorised thereto by the controlling veterinary authority of Australia, hereby certify that the milk or milk-based products mentions and stipulated above:

1. was produced from milk or milk-based products, legally imported into the exporting country from one or more of the following countries: New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, United States of America, Canada and Germany​.

2. Was processed at an officially approved manufacturing plant and subjected to one of the following processes before being introduced onto South African territory:

2.1 In the case of milk or milk-based products originating from areas where no outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred within the last 12 months and where vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease have not been carried out in the last 12 months, and;

2.1.1 ultra high temperature treatment at 132°C for 1 second; and/or

2.1.2 pasteurised at 72°C for 15 seconds or 60°C for 30 minutes; and/or

2.1.3 heat sterilised for 30 minutes at a pressure of 15 lbs (100kPa); and/or

2.1.4 an acidification process such that the pH value is lowered and kept below 6 for at least one hour.

3. Do not contain any harmful additives and is unconditionally passed as fit for human consumption.

4. Do not contain any products derived from animals other than milk or milk-based products.

5. Do not, to the best of my knowledge and belief, constitute any danger of introducing infectious or contagious diseases into South Africa.

6. The milk for the milk or milk-based products was obtained from bovine (animal species).

Optional Endorsement 2089 - Dairy - South Africa Veterinary and radioactivity statement

I, a veterinarian authorised thereto by the controlling veterinary authority of Australia, hereby certify that the milk or milk-based products mentions and stipulated above:

1. Was produced from milk or milk-based products, legally imported into the exporting country from one or more of the following countries: New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, United States of America, Canada and Germany​.

2. Was processed at an officially approved manufacturing plant and subjected to one of the following processes before being introduced onto South African territory:

2.1 In the case of milk or milk-based products originating from areas where no outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred within the last 12 months and where vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease have not been carried out in the last 12 months, and;

2.1.1.ultra high temperature treatment at 132°C for 1 second; and/or

2.1.2.pasteurised at 72°C for 15 seconds or 60°C for 30 minutes; and/or

2.1.3.heat sterilised for 30 minutes at a pressure of 15 lbs (100kPa); and/or

2.1.4.an acidification process such that the pH value is lowered and kept below 6 for at least one hour.

Do not contain any harmful additives and is unconditionally passed as fit for human consumption. Do not contain any products derived from animals other than milk or milk-based products.

Do not, to the best of my knowledge and belief, constitute any danger of introducing infectious or contagious diseases into South Africa. The milk for the milk or milk-based products was obtained from bovine (animal species).

The goods described in this certificate have not been contaminated by radioactive elements from nuclear fallout.

Analysis of representative samples of similar products has shown that the radioactivity level does not exceed 50 Bq/kg.

If the South African Import Permit is required to be included with the ZD050 Veterinary Certificate, it can be included in the REX in the Import Document field (Document Number and Document Date) and it will print below the endorsement on the ZD050 Certificate.​

Transit Certification Requirements

Milk and milk products transiting the European Union or the United States may require transit documentation. These certificates are available as additional certificates through the NEXDOC system. If the product is transiting the United States, standard certification is required and the exporter should contact the Department for advice on how this certification may be issued. If the product is transiting a European Union member state, see the particular European Union member state regarding the certificate template to select.

For Manufacturing Grade milk and milk products, use the ZD016 Certificate as to Condition for Manufacturing Grade products.

The ZD016 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed good described above, being goods that are:

1. In sound condition
2. Of Australian origin.

The ZD001 Certificate as to Condition may be issued for technical products and pharmaceutical material.

The ZD001 Certificate contains the following attestations:

I certify to the best of my knowledge that the information on this form is true and correct in every particular details and that the product described above is of Australian origin and is acceptable for sale in Australia.

The ZD015 Certificate as to Condition for Stockfood can be issued for stockfood made from milk and milk products.

The ZD015 Certificate contains the following attestations:

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed good described above, being goods that are:

1. In sound condition
2. Of Australian origin.

Endorsement 3662 - Dairy - South African Stock Food and Radiation Attestation

I, a veterinarian authorised thereto by the controlling veterinary authority of Australia, hereby certify that the milk or milk-based products mentioned and stipulated above: 1. Was produced from milk or milk-based products, legally imported into the exporting country from one or more of the following countries: New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, United States of America and Canada. 2. Was processed at an officially approved manufacturing plant and subjected to one of the following processes before being introduced onto South African territory: 2.1 In the case of milk or milk-based products originating from areas where no outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred within the last 12 months and where vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease have not been carried out in the last 12 months, and; 2.1.1 ultra high temperature treatment at 132°C for 1 second; and/or 2.1.2 pasteurised at 72°C for 15 seconds or 60°C for 30 minutes; and/or 2.1.3 heat sterilised for 30 minutes at a pressure of 15 lbs (100kPa); and/or 2.1.4 an acidification process such that the pH value is lowered and kept below 6 for at least one hour. 3. Do not contain any products derived from animals other than milk or milk-based products. 4. Do not, to the best of my knowledge and belief, constitute any danger of introducing infectious or contagious diseases into South Africa. 5. The milk for the milk or milk-based products was obtained from bovine (animal species).

The goods described in this certificate have not been contaminated by radioactive elements from nuclear fallout. Analysis of representative samples of similar products has shown that the radioactivity level does not exceed 50 Bq/kg.

Export certification is not issued for consignments and trade samples that are less than 10 kilograms.

The ZX01 Certificate as to Dioxin Status of Australian Dairy Products is available on request.

European Union (EU) transit certificates are available for consignments transiting the EU. Refer to the EU documentation requirements for edible products for the reference numbers and attestations in these certificates.

An import permit is required for all shipments of dairy products to South Africa.

Exporters must include the import permit number into the import document field (document number and document date) in the Request for Permit. The import permit number is issued by the South African Government.

Exporters should ensure that their importer complies with any requirements to obtain a permit for imports into South Africa.

South Africa has no known specific requirements for labelling and packaging in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

South Africa has no known specific requirements for labelling and packaging in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

South Africa has no known specific requirements for shelf life restrictions other than those provided in the Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021.

South Africa has no known specific requirements for shipping marks (port marks).