Saudi Arabia Food Import

Many traders ask: What is Saudi Arabia’s food import Certificate of conformity? 

It is important to be aware of everything about Saudi Arabia’s food import Certificate of conformity, if you target the Saudi Market to gain guaranteed profits. 

In Saudi Arabia, the Food Import Certificate of Conformity (CoC)  is an official document that proves imported food products meet the country’s regulatory, quality, and safety requirements before entering the market. It is part of the Saudi Standards Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) conformity assessment system, which ensures that all food imports comply with national and international standards.

The purpose of the Certificate of Conformity (CoC)?

The Certificate of Conformity (CoC) plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, quality, and compliance of products entering the Kingdom. When it comes to Saudi Arabia food imports, the CoC is a mandatory document that confirms food products meet the technical regulations and standards set by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. This certification not only protects consumers but also helps streamline customs clearance, reducing delays at ports and ensuring that only safe, high-quality products reach the market.

For Saudi Arabia food importers, the CoC provides confidence that the products they bring into the country comply with strict health and safety rules. It acts as proof that imported items have been tested, inspected, and verified according to Saudi requirements. Whether you are part of a Saudi Arabia Food Importers List or a new business aiming to enter the market, obtaining a valid certificate of conformity is essential for smooth trade operations.

Ultimately, the purpose of the CoC is to protect public health, maintain consumer trust, and uphold international trade standards. By enforcing these regulations, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority ensures that Saudi Arabia food import practices remain transparent, reliable, and beneficial to both importers and consumers

Read More : What are the Services of the Saudi SFDA?

The Role of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority SFDA in Saudi Arabia Food Import

1- Regulatory Oversight

SFDA sets the technical regulations and safety standards that all Saudi Arabia food imports must comply with.

2- Approval & Certification

Oversees the issuance and verification of the Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for food products before they enter the Saudi market.

3- Customs Clearance Support

Works with Saudi Customs to ensure imported food products are inspected, approved, and cleared quickly and efficiently.

4- Food Safety Testing

Conducts laboratory testing and inspections to verify that imported food is free from harmful substances, contaminants, or misleading labels.

5- Labeling & Packaging Control

Enforces strict rules on Arabic labeling, ingredient disclosure, nutritional facts, and expiry dates for all imported food items.

 know More about : Food Contact Products Labeling & Packaging Requirements

6- Importer Guidance

Provides clear guidelines for Saudi Arabia food importers, including those on the Saudi Arabia Food Importers List, to help them comply

with import requirements.

7- Consumer Protection

Ensures that all food entering Saudi Arabia is safe, high-quality, and aligned with national health policies, protecting public health.

8- Market Surveillance

Continuously monitors imported food products in the market to prevent violations and ensure ongoing compliance with SFDA regulations.

Read More : What are SFDA Registration Requirements?

Why does the Certificate of Conformity matter for importers?

1- The Certificate of Conformity is mandatory for all Saudi Arabia food imports, proving products meet the strict Saudi Food and Drug Authority standards.

2- Meeting Saudi Arabia food import requirements through a valid CoC allows importers to avoid delays, rejections, or returns at Saudi borders.

3- A CoC is essential for companies on the Saudi Arabia Food Importers List to maintain credibility and ensure their products reach the Saudi market without issues.

4- By complying with Saudi Arabia food import requirements, importers show commitment to safety and quality, strengthening trust with regulators and consumers.

5- Reduces the risk of penalties, fines, or shipment losses that may occur when products do not have the required certification.

6- Guarantees that all Saudi Arabia food imports are safe, properly labeled, and aligned with national health standards.

7- For all Saudi Arabia food importers, the CoC is not just a legal requirement but also a key tool for smooth operations and long-term success.

Risks of Saudi Arabia Food Import Without a Certificate of Conformity

1- Food shipments without a CoC are often stopped at Saudi ports. In many cases, goods are rejected or returned to the country of origin, leading to significant financial losses.

2- Importing without meeting Saudi Arabia food import requirements can result in fines, penalties, and in some cases, suspension of import licenses for repeat offenders.

3- Storage fees, re-export costs, and wasted products due to expiration can all impact profitability when shipments are not cleared.

4- For companies on the Saudi Arabia Food Importers List, non-compliance damages trust with regulators and customers, reducing future business opportunities.

5- Without a CoC, there is no guarantee that products meet safety standards. This increases the risk of unsafe, mislabeled, or poor-quality food reaching consumers.

6- Non-compliance can result in stricter scrutiny or even bans, making it harder for Saudi Arabia food importers to operate smoothly in the future.

How Tabseer Helps in Saudi Arabia’s Food Imports.

Navigating the strict regulations and procedures for Saudi Arabia food import can be challenging for exporters and importers alike. That’s where Tabseer steps in as a trusted partner, ensuring smooth and compliant entry of food products into the Saudi market.

1- Pre-Shipment Food Inspection

Tabseer conducts thorough pre-shipment inspections to verify that food products meet all quality and safety standards before they leave the country of origin. This minimizes the risk of rejection at Saudi ports.

2- Assisting in Preparing and Reviewing Documentation

One of the biggest challenges in food import is proper paperwork. Tabseer assists companies in preparing and reviewing all required documentation to meet Saudi Arabia food import requirements, reducing costly errors or delays.

3-Issuance of Food Import Certificate of Conformity

As an accredited body, Tabseer is authorized to issue the mandatory Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for food imports, which is essential for customs clearance and compliance with Saudi regulations.

4- Expert Guidance to Ensure Compliance with SFDA

Tabseer’s team provides expert advice to help businesses align with the strict standards of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). From labelling to safety standards, Tabseer ensures full compliance.

How importers/ Exporters and manufacturers contact Tabseer

1- Visit the Contact Page

To get in touch with Tabseer, stakeholders first head to Tabseer’s website and navigate to the contact page “call us”. This is the dedicated portal for submitting inquiries, requests, or getting more information. The URL is: tabseer.co/call us/.

2- Fill Out the Contact Form

On the “call us” page, you’ll typically find a contact form. Importers, exporters, or manufacturers fill in their details (name, company, contact information such as email and phone) and describe their request—whether it’s about pre-shipment inspections, CoC issuance, document review, or compliance matters.

3- Specify Your Needs

When contacting through the form, it’s helpful to clearly specify what type of service you need from Tabseer:

1- Pre-shipment food inspection
2- Assistance with documentation
3- Issuance of Certificate of Conformity
4- Guidance on compliance with Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) regulations

4- Submit & Await Response

Once the form is submitted, Tabseer’s team reviews the request and gets back to the stakeholder with follow-up instructions, clarifications or quotes. Exporters, importers, and manufacturers can expect a response via email or phone, depending on how they provided their contact details.

5- Additional Contact Options

Apart from the contact form, “call us” pages often list alternative methods like direct phone numbers, email addresses, or physical office addresses. Those allow companies to reach Tabseer more directly, especially for urgent or complex queries.