Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 7/28/2008

**GAIN Report Number:** AA8002

AA8002

**Aruba**

**FAIRS Country Report**

**Annual**

**2008**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Sarah Hanson, Director

Caribbean Basin ATO

**Prepared by:**

Linda Shapiro

**Report Highlights:**

\"Updated on 7/28/08\"

\"Section(s) Updated: Appendix I and II\"

Aruba is very receptive to U.S. products. At the present time, Aruba has
no health regulations regarding imported foods. U.S. standards for food
and agricultural products are fully accepted. Import licenses and
permits are not required. However, meat products imported from the
United States require a USDA export certificate. U.S. Exports of
agricultural products to Aruba generally clear customs quite quickly and
without obstacles.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Annual Report

Miami ATO \[C11\]

\[AA\]

####### SECTION I. FOOD LAWS..............................................................................3

####### SECTION II. LABELING REQUIREMENTS........................................................3

SECTION III. PACKAGING AND CONTAINER
REQUIREMENTS...........................3

####### SECTION IV. FOOD ADDITIVE REGULATIONS.................................................4

####### SECTION V. PESTICIDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS......................................4

####### SECTION VI. OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS...............................4

####### SECTION VII. OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS.............................................\......4

####### 

####### SECTION VIII. COPYRIGHT AND/OR TRADEMARK LAWS...........................\........4

####### SECTION IX. IMPORT PROCEDURES..............................................................4

####### APPENDIX I. GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS.......................5

####### APPENDIX II. OTHER IMPORT SPECIALIST CONTACTS........................\..............5

**This report was prepared for the Caribbean Basin Agricultural Trade
Office of the USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service in Miami, Florida, for
U.S. exporters of domestic food and agricultural products. While every
possible care was taken in preparation of this report, information
provided may not be completely accurate, either because policies have
changed since its preparation or because clear and consistent
information about these policies was not available. It is highly
recommended that U.S. exporters verify the full set of import
requirements with their foreign customers who are normally best equipped
to research such matters with local authorities before any goods are
shipped.**

**FINAL IMPORT APPROVAL OF ANY PRODUCT IS SUBJECT TO THE IMPORTING
COUNTRY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS AS INTERPRETED BY BORDER OFFICIALS AT
THE TIME OF THE PRODUCT ENTRY.**

###### SECTION 1: FOOD LAWS

Licenses or permits are not required to import food into Aruba. Agencies
that receive, store and sell imported products must be registered with
the Chamber of Commerce, membership in which is a government regulation.
All imported meats must comply with USDA phytosanitary regulations. Any
meat products from countries other than the United States that can pass
USDA inspection are accepted in Aruba. A USDA meat inspection
certificate with stamp is required. The Veterinary Department performs
random inspections.

###### SECTION II: LABELING REQUIREMENTS

Aruba has no labeling regulations. U.S. labels as well as labels from
any other country are accepted. No additional information is required,
such as expiration dates, nutritional or health claims.

**SECTION III: PACKAGING AND CONTAINER REGULATIONS**

Aruba has no regulations on packaging. Containers may not be over 40
feet.

**SECTION IV: FOOD ADDITIVE REGULATIONS**

According to the Health Department, the only additive forbidden is
bromide, which was banned when it was found in prepared bread dough from
Puerto Rico. There are no further special requirements or restrictions.
Authorities do not use the CODEX list.

###### SECTION V: PESTICIDES AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS

Aruba has no regulations regarding pesticides and other contaminants.

**SECTION VI: OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS**

Products are not required to be registered or laboratory tested at the
time. Product samples shipped via express mail or parcel post are
subject only to import regulations ( i.e. customs duty). The addressee
is responsible for the duty on sample and mail order shipments.
Exporters should ensure that the addressee is informed of and agrees to
accept the pending shipment to avoid it being returned at the cost of
the exporter. Products are not monitored at the retail/wholesale level
at this time. No import certification documents are required.

**SECTION VII: OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS**

Processed meat products with past due dates are now being confiscated
and destroyed by the Veterinary Service. With the cooperation of the
importers, other meats which are spoiled or in an unhealthy state are
turned over to the service and destroyed. There are no quarantine laws
for live animals. Health certificates from the state or local government
agency of the exporting country must accompany the animals.

**SECTION VIII: COPYRIGHT AND/OR TRADEMARK LAWS**

Aruba has no system to protect trademarks and brand names.

**SECTION IX: IMPORTS PROCEDURES**

Customs clearance is done by the importer or receiving agent who must be
registered with Chamber of Commerce in order to do business in Aruba.
Import documentation may be in English. After arrival at the port and
shipments are approved (unopened), they are forwarded to the importer.
Customs officers inspect the shipments on the premises where further
documentation is presented. Duty is paid directly to the Department of
Customs.

The length of time for the entire customs clearance procedure can vary
widely. Perishable goods have priority and usually are cleared within
one day. Dry goods can be cleared within two days. From mid‑December to
the end of the first week of January, customs handles only perishable
goods. Customs does not work on holidays, after 5 p.m. or on weekends.
The customs inspection is efficient and well‑managed. The length of time
for clearance depends on variable factors, such as, the number of
container ships arriving at the same time, how quickly can they be
unloaded and when they are transported to the importer.

There is no "official" appeals system for disputed and/or rejected
products. Disputes are handled on a case-by-case basis.

**APPENDIX I. GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS**

FOR CUSTOMS PROCEDURES AND TARIFFS, CONTACT:

MR. RUBEN WOLF

CUSTOMS OFFICE

L.G. Smith Boulevard 84-88

Oranjestad, Aruba

####### Tel: 011-297-582-1800

Fax: 011-297-583-4367

FOR IMPORT REGULATIONS, CONTACT:

FRIDO MADURO

####### DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, FOOD CONTROL & HYGIENE

Hospitalstraat 4

Oranjestad, Aruba

Tel: 011-297-582-3073

Fax: 011-297-588-4180

DR. THEO WOOLS or PETER BARENDSEN

VETERINARY DEPARTMENT

Veterinaire Dienst

Barcadera 1

Aruba

Tel: 011-297-585-0400

Fax: 011-297-585-1828

Email: [vetservice@setarnet.aw]{.underline}

**APPENDIX II. OTHER IMPORT SPECIALIST CONTACTS**

Mr. Timothy Dunn

Chief of Mission and Consul General

U.S. Consulate General to the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba

J.B. Gorsiraweg 1, P.O. Box 158

Willemstad, Curacao

Tel: 011-599(9)-461-3066

Fax: 011-599(9)-461-6489

Email: <acsuracao@state.gov>

Caribbean Basin Agricultural Trade Office Sarah Hanson, Director

Foreign Agricultural Service E-mail: <sarah.hanson@fas.usda.gov>

U.S. Department of Agriculture

909 SE 1^st^. Ave Suite 720 Omar González, Ag. Marketing Specialist

Miami, FL 33131 E-mail: [omar.gonzalez@fas.usda.gov]{.underline}

Tel: (305) 536-5300

######## Fax: (305) 536-7577 Graciela Juelle, Ag. Marketing Assistant

E-mail: <cbato@cbato.net> E-mail: <grace.juelle@fas.usda.gov>

Website: [www.cbato.fas.usda.gov]{.underline}