Exports (Fresh Fruit) Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1976L00087 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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Statutory Rules

1976 No. 87

REGULATION UNDER THE CUSTOMS ACT 1901-1975 AND THE COMMERCE (TRADE DESCRIPTIONS) ACT 1905-1973.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Customs Act 1901-1975 and the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905-1973.

Dated this twenty-third day of March, 1976.

JOHN R. KERR

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

IAN SINCLAIR

Minister of State for Primary Industry and
for and on behalf of the Minister
of State for Business and Consumer Affairs.

_________

Amendment of the Exports (Fresh Fruit) Regulations†

Third Schedule— item 1.

The Third Schedule to the Exports (Fresh Fruit) Regulations is amended by omitting sub-paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7) and (7a) (in the second column) of paragraph 1 of item 1 and substituting the following sub-paragraphs:—

“ (4) Apples packed otherwise than in a Standard apple box, an Australian apple box, a cell pack carton, an Australian tray carton or a tray pack shall

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* Notified in the Australian Government Gazette on 30 March 1976.

† Statutory Rules 1955, No. 61, as amended by Statutory Rules 1956, Nos. 20. 27 and 123; 1957, No. 36; 1958, No. 24; 1959, No. 6; 1960, Nos. 16 and 38; 1961. Nos. 20 and 111; 1962, No. 37; 1963, Nos. 15 and 140; 1964, Nos. 11 and 28; 1965, No. 22; 1966, Nos. 49 and 84; 1967, No. 22; 1968, No. 16; 1969, Nos. 33 and 40; 1970, No. 33; 1971, Nos. 35 and 104; 1972, No. 36; 1973. No. 140; and 1974, Nos. 49 and 227.

be of a size within the range of sizes applicable in relation to the variety and destination in accordance with the following table:—

Variety	Range of sizes (inches in diameter)
Variety	For export to the United Kingdom or the Republic or Ireland	For export to a destination on the continent of Europe, other than Sweden, Finland, Norway or Denmark	For export to Sweden, Norway or Denmark	For export to Finland	For export to a destination other than the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland or the continent of Europe
	Inches	Inches	Inches	Inches	Inches
Cleopatra...............	..	21/2–23/4	23/8–23/4	23/8–23/4	23/8/8–27/8
Cox’s Orange Pippin........	21/4–25/8	..	..	..	21/4–25/8
Crofton................	23/8–23/4	21/2–27/8	23/8–23/4	23/8–23/4	21/4–27/8
Delicious...............	..	..	..	..	23/8–31/4
Democrat...............	21/2–23/4	21/2–31/4	21/2–3	21/2–31/4	23/8–31/4
Dougherty..............	21/2–23/4	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	23/8–25/8
Geeveston Fanny..........	21/2–25/8	21/2–23/4	23/8–23/4	23/8–23/4	23/8–23/4
Golden Delicious..........	21/2–23/4	25/8–3	21/2–23/4	21/2–23/4	23/8–31/4
Granny Smith............	23/8–31/4	23/8–31/4	23/8–33/4	23/8–31/4	23/8–31/4
Jonathan................	21/2–25/8	21/2–23/4	21/2–23/4	21/2–23/4	23/8/8–27/8
King Cole...............	21/2–23/4	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	23/8/8–27/8
King Pippin..............	..	..	..	..	21/4–27/8
Legana.................	21/2–23/4	..	..	..	23/8–31/4
Red Delicious............	21/2–27/8	21/2–3	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	23/8–31/4
Red Jonathan.............	23/8–25/8	21/2–23/4	21/2–23/4	21/2–23/4	23/8/8–27/8
Rokewood..............	21/2–23/4	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	23/8–25/8
Rome Beauty............	21/2–23/4	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	23/8–3
Scarlet.................	..	23/8–23/4	..	..	23/8–23/4
Spartan.................	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	23/8–3
Starkrimson.............	21/2–27/8	21/2–3	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	23/8–31/4
Statesman...............	21/2–23/4	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	23/8–23/4
Sturmer................	21/2–23/4	..	..	..	23/8–3
Tasman’s Pride...........	..	21/2–23/4	23/8–23/4	23/8–23/4	23/8–23/4
Yates..................	21/2–23/4	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	21/2–27/8	23/8–23/4

“ (5) Apples packed in a Standard apple box or a tray pack shall be packed to a count within the count range applicable in relation to the variety and destination of the apples in accordance with the following table:—

Variety	Count range
Variety	For export to Sweden, Norway or Denmark	For export to Finland	For export to a destination other than the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland or the continent of Europe
Cleopatra.......................................	198–125	198–125	198–113
Cox’s Orange Pippin...............................	..	..	234–163
Crofton........................................	198–125	198–125	234–113
Delicious.......................................	..	..	198–80
Democrat.......................................	180–113	180–80	198–80
Dougherty......................................	180–113	180–113	198–138
Geeveston Fanny..................................	198–125	198–125	198–125
Golden Delicious..................................	180–125	180–125	198–80
Granny Smith....................................	198–80	198–80	198–80
Jonathan........................................	180–125	180–125	198–113
King Cole.......................................	180–113	180–113	198–113
King Pippin.....................................	..	..	234–113
Legana.........................................	..	..	198–80
Red Delicious....................................	180–113	180–113	198–80
Red Jonathan....................................	180–125	180–125	198–113
Rokewood......................................	180–113	180–113	198–138
Rome Beauty....................................	180–113	180–113	198–100
Scarlet.........................................	..	..	198–125
Spartan........................................	180–113	180–113	198–100
Starkrimson.....................................	180–113	180–113	198–80
Statesman.......................................	180–113	180–113	198–125
Sturmer........................................	..	..	198–100
Tasman’s Pride...................................	180–125	180–125	198–125
Yates..........................................	180–113	180–113	216–125

“ (6) Apples packed in an Australian apple box shall be packed to a count within the count range applicable in relation to the variety and destination of the apples in accordance with the following table:—

Variety	Count range
Variety	For export to a destination other than the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland or the continent of Europe
Cleopatra..........................................................	200–108
Cox’s Orange Pippin..................................................	240–158
Crofton...........................................................	240–120
Delicious..........................................................	200–83
Democrat..........................................................	193–68
Dougherty.........................................................	193–144
Geeveston Fanny.....................................................	193–132
Golden Delicious....................................................	200–83
Granny Smith.......................................................	200–75
Jonathan..........................................................	193–112
King Cole..........................................................	200–120
King Pippin........................................................	240–120
Legana...........................................................	200–75
Red Delicious.......................................................	200–83
Red Jonathan.......................................................	193–112
Rokewood.........................................................	193–144
Rome Beauty.......................................................	193–108
Scarlet............................................................	193–132
Spartan...........................................................	200–96
Starkrimson........................................................	200–83
Statesman.........................................................	193–132
Sturmer...........................................................	200–96
Tasman’s Pride......................................................	200–132
Yates............................................................	220–132

“ (7) Apples packed in a cell pack carton shall be packed to a count within the count range applicable in relation to the variety and destination of the apples in accordance with the following table:—

Variety	Count Range
Variety	For export to the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland	For export to a destination on the continent of Europe, other than Sweden, Finland, Norway or Den mark	For export to Sweden, Norway or Denmark	For export to Finland	For export to a destination other than the United Kingdom, the Republic or Ireland or the continent of Europe
Cleopatra............	..	160–128	200–128	200–128	200–112
Cox’s Orange Pippin.....	225–140	..	..	..	225–140
Crofton.............	200–128	160–112	200–128	200–128	225–112
Delicious............	..	..	..	..	200–80
Democrat............	180–128	160–80	180–96	180–80	200–80
Dougherty...........	180–128	160–112	180–112	180–112	200–140
Geeveston Fanny.......	180–140	160–128	200–128	200–128	200–128
Golden Delicious.......	180–128	140–96	180–128	180–128	200–80
Granny Smith.........	200–80	200–80	200–80	200–80	200–80
Jonathan.............	180–140	160–128	180–128	180–128	200–112
King Cole............	180–128	160–112	180–112	180–112	200–112
King Pippin...........	..	..	..	..	225–112
Legana..............	180–128	..	..	..	200–80
Red Delicious.........	180–112	160–96	180–112	180–112	200–80
Red Jonathan..........	200–140	160–128	180–128	180–128	200–112
Rokewood...........	180–128	160–112	180–112	180–112	200–140
Rome Beauty..........	180–128	160–112	180–112	180–112	180–96
Scarlet..............	..	200–128	..	..	200–128
Spartan..............	180–112	160–112	180–112	180–112	200–96
Starkrimson..........	180–112	160–96	180–112	180–112	200–80
Statesman............	180–128	160–112	180–112	180–112	200–128
Sturmer.............	180–128	..	..	..	200–96
Tasman’s Pride........	..	160–128	180–128	180–128	200–128
Yates...............	180–128	160–112	180–112	180–112	200–128

“ (7a) Apples packed in an Australian tray carton shall be packed to a count within the count range applicable in relation to the variety and destination of the apples in accordance with the following table:—

Variety	Count Range
Variety	For export to the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland	For export to a destination on the continent or Europe, other than Sweden, Finland, Norway or Denmark	For export to Sweden, Norway or Denmark	For export to Finland	For export to a destination other than the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland or the continent of Europe
Cleopatra............	..	165–120	195–120	195–120	195–110
Cox’s Orange Pippin.....	210–140	..	..	..	234–165
Crofton.............	195–120	165–110	195–120	195–120	234–110
Delicious............	..	..	..	..	195–80
Democrat............	180–120	165–80	180–100	180–80	195–80
Dougherty...........	180–120	165–110	180–110	180–110	195–140
Geeveston Fanny.......	180–140	165–120	195–120	195–120	195–120
Golden Delicious.......	180–120	140–100	180–120	180–120	195–80
Granny Smith.........	195–80	195–80	195–80	195–80	195–80
Jonathan.............	180–140	165–120	100–120	180–120	195–110
King Cole............	180–120	165–110	180–110	180–110	195–110
King Pippin...........	..	..	..	..	234–110
Legana..............	180–120	..	..	..	195–80
Red Delicious.........	180–110	165–100	180–110	180–110	195–80
Red Jonathan..........	195–140	165–120	180–120	180–120	195–110
Rokewood...........	180–120	165–110	180–110	180–110	195–140
Rome Beauty..........	180–120	165–110	180–110	180–110	195–100
Scarlet..............	..	195–120	..	..	195–120
Spartan..............	180–110	165–110	180–110	180–110	195–100
Starkrimson..........	180–110	165–100	180–110	180–110	195–80
Statesman............	180–120	165–110	180–110	180–110	195–120
Sturmer.............	180–120	..	..	..	195–100
Tasman’s Pride........	..	165–120	180–120	180–120	195–120
Yates...............	180–120	165–110	180–110	180–110	210–130

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1976 No. 87, enacted under the Customs Act 1901-1975 and the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905-1973, addresses the need to standardise the packing and exportation of fresh fruit, specifically apples, to ensure consistency and compliance with international standards. This regulation was enacted by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and it amends the Exports (Fresh Fruit) Regulations to provide detailed guidelines on the size and count of apples packed in various types of containers for export to different destinations. The policy objective is to maintain the quality and marketability of Australian apples in international markets by establishing clear and enforceable standards.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument amends the Exports (Fresh Fruit) Regulations by modifying the requirements for the size and count of apples packed in various types of containers for export purposes. Specifically, the amendments provide detailed specifications for the size ranges of apples for different varieties and export destinations, as well as the count ranges for apples packed in Standard apple boxes, tray packs, Australian apple boxes, and cell pack cartons. These regulations apply to persons and entities involved in the export of fresh fruit, particularly apples, from Australia. The scope is national, applying across the Commonwealth as per the authority granted by the Customs Act 1901-1975 and the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905-1973. The application extends to all types of apple exports, ensuring compliance with the specified standards. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the provided text, and the regulation itself does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of Statutory Rules 1976 No. 87, made under the Customs Act 1901-1975 and the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905-1973, primarily involve amendments to the Exports (Fresh Fruit) Regulations. Specifically, the regulation modifies the Third Schedule to the Exports (Fresh Fruit) Regulations by replacing existing sub-paragraphs with new provisions regarding the packing of apples for export. The new sub-paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7) outline specific size and count requirements for apples packed in various types of containers, including Standard apple boxes, tray packs, Australian apple boxes, cell pack cartons, and Australian tray cartons. These requirements are detailed by apple variety and export destination, providing a comprehensive framework to ensure that the apples meet specific quality and presentation standards before export. These amendments impose obligations on exporters of fresh apples to adhere to the newly specified packing requirements. Exporters must ensure that apples are packed within the designated size ranges and count ranges applicable to the variety of apple and the intended destination. For example, apples intended for export to the United Kingdom must adhere to size specifications that fall within a range of 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches in diameter for certain varieties such as Cleopatra. Similarly, the count of apples in each packing container must align with the regulations; for instance, Cleopatra apples packed in a Standard apple box must contain between 198 and 125 apples for export to Sweden, Norway, or Denmark. Failure to comply with these detailed requirements can result in the apples being deemed non-compliant for export, potentially leading to rejection at customs or by the importing country. Breaching these regulations can lead to significant consequences for the parties involved. The primary risk is the non-acceptance of the apple shipments by the importing countries, which can result in financial losses for the exporters due to rejected goods. Additionally, repeated non-compliance may lead to legal actions under the Customs Act 1901-1975 and the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905-1973. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the regulation, potential penalties under these acts can include fines, seizure of non-compliant goods, and other civil or criminal sanctions as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities. These potential consequences underscore the importance of strict adherence to the packing specifications to avoid legal and financial repercussions.

Area of Law: Trade Law; Food Law
Instrument: Regulation
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations; Compliance Obligations

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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