Sebastian Roggeveen

When importing foods into the EU, you must comply with the general principles of food law set out in Regulation 178/2002/EC.

This legislation requires that:

• the food is safe and defines what is meant by unsafe food
• that food imported into the EU complies with the relevant requirements of food law, or
• where an agreement exists between the EU and the exporting country, with the agreed requirements which are recognized by the EU as equivalent

Importers who consider, or have reason to believe, that the imported food does not meet food safety requirements, must act immediately to withdraw the food from the market, where it has left their immediate control. They must also inform the competent authorities.

It is believed that the main objectives of Generalized System of Preferences will be met by the ways given below:

• To increase the export earnings of the preference receiving countries;
• To promote their industrialization;
• and To accelerate their role of economic growth.

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is a body corporate established on 8 November, 2006, under a Presidential Ordinance. The Ordinance will be tabled in the Parliament as an Act for approval. The TDAP is the successor organization to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and is mandated to become a dedicated, effective and empowered organization that is professionally managed. TDAP, as part of its trade ‘development’ mandate, as opposed to ‘export promotion’ only, will be dedicated to the ‘holistic’ development and promotion of goods and services for exports globally. TDAP in this enhanced responsibility and role will create direct linkages with stakeholders, local and abroad, aiming for a ‘Quantum Leap’ in exports. The administrative ministry of the TDAP will be the Ministry of Commerce, with the objective of promotion of sustainable growth in the quantum and value of export of goods and services.

At the state level, state Trade Offices and District Export Councils can help companies engaged in international trade. At the federal level, there are U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEACs) as well as Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). At the international level, World Trade Centers and the U.S. Commercial Service’s international locations may be of assistance as well.

Certain goods brought into Australia require an import permit or approval. Border Security can hold or confiscate goods if they are found to be non-compliant or required documentation is not provided.

Some of the products that are subject to import conditions or are banned from import to Australia include:

• Laser pointers
• Medications, including some herbal preparations
• Performance and image enhancing drugs containing restricted substances
• DVDs or publications featuring objectionable/offensive content
• Dog collars/harnesses with prongs or protrusions
• Products made from protected animal species
• Products that contain cat or dog fur
• Equipment/presses for forming tablets