Date of issue: 12 December 2019
Date of effect: Immediate
Reference Number: MAA2019-24
Attention:
- Industries- Industry Bodies – Dairy Australia, Dairy Export Industry Consultative Committee
- Export dairy establishments
- Licensed exporters
- Department of Agriculture —Central and regional office, Food Export Documentation, Registration and Licensing Unit
Purpose
To notify exporters that dairy products exported to Mexico through any port are to be shipped on pallets.
Summary of key points
- The Mexican Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) has advised that it will enforce this requirement on the importation of animal products through the National Service of Health, Food Safety and Quality (SENASICA).
- Animal products packed in sacks, combos (combination packaging like plastic bags in boxes), boxes and small containers must be shipped to Mexico on pallets.
- There are no specific requirements for the size or material used for construction of pallets.
- The Department of Agriculture has written to the Mexican government seeking discussions on possible alternative options to satisfy the requirement and mitigate the risk to Australian exporters. As resolution of this issue could take some time exporters are strongly urged to determine how to meet this requirement.
- Further information will be provided once details become available.
- The department will endeavour to assist with consignments that are affected by the enforcement of this requirement. In the event exporters experience problems at ports of entry in Mexico they should contact the department in the first instance via email Export Standards.
- The Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) will be updated to reflect this market access advice.
Further information
Please contact Export Standards if you have any queries.
The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.