How to Import Food into Saudi Arabia — SFDA Guide

Importing food into the Kingdom is one of the strictest sectors. The Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) enforces the highest safety standards in the region. This guide walks you through it step by step.

The Three Regulatory Authorities

Authority	Function
SFDA	Food clearance + quality certificates
SASO	Technical regulations (GSO 9 for food labeling)
ZATCA	Customs duties and VAT

Step 1: Register the Establishment in FIRS

FIRS = Food Import Registration System

A mandatory system before any shipment. It requires:

• Valid Commercial Registration
• Tax Certificate
• Licensed food warehouse details
• Official commitment signature on requirements

Registration is one-time and remains valid for years.

Step 2: Register Products on the “Ghad” Platform

Each food product you import must be pre-registered on the SFDA “Ghad” platform. Registration includes:

• Product name (Arabic + English)
• Technical specifications
• Nutritional fact label
• GMP certificate from the manufacturer

Step 3: Mandatory Certificates per Shipment

Health Certificate from the Country of Origin

Proves the product is safe for human consumption and disease-free.

Halal Certificate (for meat and poultry)

Mandatory without exception. Must be:

• From an SFDA-accredited Halal body
• Includes manufacturer name + shipment number
• Officially signed and stamped

⚠️ Without a Halal certificate = immediate rejection + re-export at your cost.

Food Label per GSO 9

Regulation GSO 9 requires:

• Information in Arabic (mandatory)
• Product name, ingredients, nutritional values
• Production + expiry dates in clear format
• Country of origin + importer information

Step 4: Licensed Food Warehouse

Rule: Each importer needs an SFDA-licensed food warehouse.

Exceptions:

• Local manufacturers importing raw materials
• Importers under 5 shipments/year and < 2000 kg total

Step 5: Food Clearance at the Port

Upon shipment arrival:

1. Submit a customs declaration via FASAH
2. Notify SFDA for food clearance
3. Document review + visual inspection
4. Sample collection for lab analysis (in some cases)
5. Issue release permit

Expected time: 24–72 hours for complete shipments, 5–7 days with lab inspection.

Most Common Reasons Shipments Get Rejected

❌ Food label in English only (Arabic required) ❌ Missing Halal certificate for meat ❌ Product not registered on the “Ghad” platform ❌ Unclear or expired expiry dates ❌ Unlicensed warehouse

Organic Products — Additional Requirements

If the product is organic, it requires:

• GSO 2374 conformity (organic products)
• GSO 2532 conformity (labeling)
• Certificate from a body accredited by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture

OBOOR’s Tip

Prepare all documents before shipping from the country of origin. Mistakes after arrival = heavy losses (spoiled products, expired shelf life, re-export).

At OBOOR we handle food shipments daily and know every detail.

Book a free consultation — we review your product for free before shipping.