Northwest Horticultural Council

Export Manual

SAUDI ARABIA

Capital: Riyadh
Population: 36,544,431 (2024)
Currency: Saudi Riyal
Official Language(s): Arabic

I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLs)

Please click on the above link for a list of chemical MRLs.

Pear MRLs in Top Markets

II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION

A. Chemical residue standards:

Saudi Arabia maintains a national MRL list. In the absence of an established national MRL, Saudi Arabia defers first to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) MRLs, then to Codex MRLs, then to the lower of the U.S. or EU MRLs, even if the limit is a default limit. Saudi Arabia does not apply a default MRL.

B. Monitoring chemical residues:

Chemical residues are monitored.

C. Restrictions on use of waxes:

Saudi Arabia permits the use of beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, and shellac wax on fresh fruits as approved under Gulf Cooperation Council technical regulations 2500/2015 (E).

III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS

No information.

IV. TARIFFS

Saudi Arabia is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) and adheres to the GCC Unified Customs Law. Apple, pear, and cherry imports enter duty-free under GCC import rules.

V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

A. Labeling requirements:

The Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) imposes labeling requirements. The labeling information has been provided by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) following consultations with SFDA and Saudi importers. Shippers are advised to consult closely with their customers to avoid problems on arrival.

The following labeling information must be written in Arabic as well as a foreign language such as English:

1. Fruit Name (e.g., apple)
2. Quality grade
3. Brand
4. Exporter Name
5. Exporter Address
6. Importer Name
7. Importer Address
8. Gross Weight/Net – in kilograms
9. Count
10. Country of origin
11. Packing Date

For an example of a label see here.

Regarding a carton’s weight, SFDA collects random samples from multiple pallets and takes an average weight. Some suppliers estimate reduced weights due to moisture loss and write less than actual weight when shipping to Saudi Arabia to avoid discrepancies between the weight of the carton as taken at the shipping point versus the weight of the carton at the port of entry.

B. Licenses and quotas:

None.

C. Currency Issues:

None.

D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:

A phytosanitary certificate is required. Imports must be free of Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (San Jose Scale).

VI. MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY:

Washington Apple Commission:

Nina Halal
Arab Marketing & Finance Inc. (AMFI)
Beirut, Lebanon
Voice: 011-961-1 740378
Fax: 011-961-1-740393
E-mail: [email protected]

Pear Bureau Northwest:

Masood Ahmed
Seven Circle Marketing
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Voice: 011-966-2-631-8541
Fax: 011-966-2-631-8558
E-mail: [email protected]

VII. OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:

Governmental:

VIII. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Saudi Arabia is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which includes five other countries in the Arabian Peninsula: United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar. The GCC is working to create a common set of food standards and import requirements.