Import Conditions for Agricultural Products

Trade Facilitation Unit - Peanuts

Peanuts – also called groundnuts, are leguminous fruits of the plant Arachis hypogaea L. that grow underground. They have a thin shell, which is in fact the pod, containing generally two kernels.

Import Conditions:

  1. The processi g facility must have a HACCP program in place verified by the competent authority;
  2. Good Manufacturing Practices are used in their preparation and handling with reference to the General Principles of Food Hygiene (CAC/RCP 1-1969);
  3. The farm/facility must be registered under the competent authority in the country where the peanuts were grown and processed;

Labeling Requirements

  1. The peanuts shall meet all labelling and other food safety requirements of the Food Safety and Quality Food Regulations;
  2. Peanuts shall meet the labelling requirements in the General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods (CODEX STAN 1-1985) and the CARICOM Regional Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods;
  3. The peanuts shall meet the labelling requirements of the Standard for Peanuts (CXS 200-1995).

Supporting Documents:

  1. Present an export license to Customs from the country of export prior to placement of an order;
  2. A certificate of origin must be produced;
  3. Present a phytosanitary certificate signed by the competent authority to indicate that the peanuts were sourced from plants that are free from any pests and diseases;
  4. An attestation that “the peanuts are free from contamination or any other objectionable matter and are safe for human consumption”;
  5. Documentation indicating that the exporter is approved (registered) for international trade to The Bahamas by that country’s competent authority.

Shipping Requirements:

  1. The peanuts shall be packaged in such a way to prevent water penetration that will safeguard the hygienic, nutritional, technological, and organoleptic qualities of the product;
  2. Peanuts shall be packaged in sound, clean and dry material that is free from insect infestation or fungal contamination;
  3. Peanuts may be shipped at temperatures between 5-25oC.

Quality Standards:

  1. Peanuts shall be free from abnormal flavors, odors, living insects and mites;
  2. When tested, peanuts shall be free from micro-organisms and parasites which may represent a public health hazard;
  3. Peanuts shall comply with maximum residue levels for heavy metals and pesticides as established by Codex Alimentarius.