"Packed to European standards" is a loose phrase unless it is spelled out. In practice it is four sets of requirements, each with a reason behind it.
One: uniformity inside the pack
A single pack must hold one variety, one grade and one size. The buyer opens one or two cartons from the pallet, and whatever is in them gets generalised to the entire shipment.
Two: labelling
Every pack must carry: exporter name and address, country of origin, variety, class, size, net weight, and the lot number that lets the shipment be traced back to a field and a day.
Three: packaging material specifications
- New, clean, and free of any odour.
- Compliant with food-contact requirements.
- Strong enough to take the vertical load of a stacked pallet during sea transit.
Four: pesticide residues
This is the item shipments are actually rejected over. EU maximum residue levels are lower than those of many other markets, and they change. So we work to a documented spray schedule and test samples at accredited laboratories before shipping — not after.
In short
Compliance is not something done on packing day. It is the result of decisions taken in the field months earlier.
