Saudi Arabia - Labeling/Marking Requirements Saudi-Arabia-Labeling
All markings pertaining to warnings and safety instructions must be in Arabic or in Arabic and English. Instruction manuals or pamphlets must be in Arabic language or in both Arabic and English.
All containers should be marked with the gross weight and with either the initials or the name of the consignee. If the consignment includes two or more containers, they should be numbered consecutively. All containers reportedly should be marked showing the country of manufacture (e.g., Made in U.S.A.).
All goods consigned to Saudi Arabia should be packed to withstand rough handling, extreme heat, and high humidity and to afford full protection against pilferage. These precautions are particularly necessary because many shipments from the United States to Saudi Arabia are transshipped enroute. Boxes should be waterproofed on the inside and outside and double strapped with metal bands. Simple crating of merchandise does not provide sufficient protection from the weather and from possible careless stevedoring at the ports.
Saudi Arabia is currently restructuring its Halal certification system. According to an announcement by the royal court, SASO will be responsible for accrediting Halal certifiers, and SFDA will be responsible for domestic certification. The text of the regulation has, however, not been published and there are many important details that need to be worked out. At this point port inspectors are accepting Halal certificates issued by certifiers accredited by SFDA and the World Muslim League. SFDA has established a Halal Center, but its eventual role for imported products is not clear at this point. As for drugs, the center may develop Halal and quality requirements for other products such as cosmetics, drugs, and medical devices.
Country of Origin
The country of origin (CoO) must be indicated on all imported goods in either Arabic or English unless it is not feasible to do so because of the size or the nature of the goods; in such cases, items may have the country of origin indicated on the package or box. The CoO must be indicated in such a way as to be unremovable, whether by printing, engraving, embossing, sewing, or other permanent method. A sticker is acceptable provided it cannot be removed. Shipments that do not comply with CoO requirements may be re-exported or destroyed at the importer's expense. Under certain circumstances, shipments that do not comply with CoO requirements may be corrected by the importer inside a customs zone or warehouse within two weeks, subject to the payment of a fine. Exporters are urged to consult with their customers in
Saudi Arabia.
CoO Format: “Made in xxx” or “Manufactured in xxx”
Other formats/text for marking the country of origin are not acceptable. Dual CoO marking such as:
“Designed in xxx, Made in yyy“ or “Assembled in xxx, Made in yyy“ or “Engineered in xxx, Made in yyy“ where xxx and yyy denote different countries of origin will not be accepted. It will only be accepted if the name of the manufacturer is clearly indicated in the dual CoO marking text, e.g., “Designed by [ Insert Manufacturer's Name]in xxx, Made in yyy” and likewise for the other two dual CoO variations.
Units of Measure
Generally, goods for sale in Saudi Arabia must be in containers labeled in metric measurements. However, goods imported from countries that do not use the metric system may be marked in units of the exporting country provided they are sold locally on the basis of the metric system. Articles not manufactured on the basis of length, weight, volume, or area need not be marked.
Prohibited Items
Goods bearing immodest or nude pictures or bearing a cross and pictures not consistent with Islamic morals are prohibited. There should be no Koranic or Islamic sayings written on packages, other than straight translations of product contents, when necessary. If human figures are shown on packages, they should be in good taste. Photographs or illustrations of pigs or wrappings simulating pigskin should be avoided. Permission must be obtained for goods to bear the Saudi Arabian emblem, which consists of crossed swords and a palm.
Animals and Animal Products
All fresh meat and poultry products must be labeled with the production and expiration dates, metric weight, the necessary storage temperature or range of temperatures, and attestation that the product meets Halal slaughtering requirements. Processed meat and poultry products labels must include net weight, a list of ingredients in descending order of weight, and name and address of the manufacturer and packer, and must identify any pork components, including lard. Animal feeds must be labeled “Unfit for human consumption” or “Special for animal feeding only.”
Food and animal products require “halal certificates for both food products and animals—imported meat and poultry in particular require “ halal slaughter certificates”.
For food and agricultural import regulations and standards and certification consult USDA report
Chemicals
The Ministry of Agriculture requires all importers of chemicals to mark the following information in Arabic on all insecticide cans and packages: (a) the phrase “agricultural insecticides”; (b) the trade name and mark of the insecticides, if any; (c) the ratio of the active agents in the insecticides; (d) the purpose for which the insecticide is used and the ratios and methods of its uses; (e) precautions necessary for the protection of public health, stating the period that should elapse after its application to crops before harvest; (f) date of manufacture and expiration date for effectiveness of the insecticide, if any; and (g) net weight of contents.
Cosmetics
Cosmetic products must be labeled in Arabic on the outer packaging with the name and brand name; name and address of the manufacturer or importer; expiration date given as month and year for products that expire in less than 30 months or the phrase “Period After Opening” with the number of months the product expires if more than 30 months; list of ingredients, which must conform to the international nomenclature for cosmetic ingredients; function of product; storage conditions; production date or batch number; usage instructions and precautions; country of manufacture; and volume. Medical claims are prohibited unless they conform to Gulf Standard GSO 1943/2009. English language labeling is permitted alongside the Arabic.
The Saudi authorities are expected to issue regulations for halal certifications and labeling on certain non-food items such as cosmetics. As of the latest update on by SFDA, no such Halal certificates and labeling are require for cosmetics.
The news on “Halal Center” is published on SFDA’s website (In Arabic). This initiative is still in the development phase.( https://www.sfda.gov.sa/ar/food/news/Pages/f22-7-2018a1.aspx )
Food Products and Beverages
Prepackaged foods are subject to the Gulf Cooperation Council standard GSO 9/2013, “Labeling of Prepackaged Food Stuff.” See labeling information for Food Products and Beverages in the GCC profile in Trade Blocs. Food containers: Plastic containers used to package food products must be labeled with the type of plastic material used; the weight, capacity, number, or dimensions of the container; statement of food grade; purpose; directions for use; and applicable warning statements.
Genetically Modified Organisms
The Gulf Cooperation Council has established labeling requirements for foods that contain genetically modified organisms. See labeling information for Genetically Modified Organisms in the GCC profile in Trade Blocs.
Medical Devices
Medical devices are subject to specific labeling guidelines. The device or the packaging, as appropriate, must be labeled with the name of the device, name and address of the manufacturer, special storage conditions, warnings and contra-indications, and batch code or lot number, along with many other requirements specific to the type of device. Complete labeling guidelines are available from the Medical Device department at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.
Pharmaceuticals
Specific labeling requirements apply to pharmaceutical products. Exporters should consult with their customers in Saudi Arabia or with the Drug Department of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority for specific guidelines.
Plants and Plant Products
Packages of barley, sorghum, or wheat seed must state in Arabic the type of seed, name of exporter, country of production, the phrase “Poisonous for both humans and animals,” date of production, and expiration date.
Textiles
Carpets: The following information must be repeated every five meters on carpet rolls and also must be shown on the sales invoice: thickness or weight per square meter, pile height, country of origin, and carpet quality (nylon, wool, acrylic, polypropylene, etc.). Carpet shipments without this information will not clear customs, and deviations from the requirements will be subject to legal penalty.
Other Products
Cigarettes: The following health warning, in Arabic, should be on all cigarette packs: “Government Warning: Smoking is a major cause of cancer and diseases of the lungs, heart, and arteries.” This warning can be printed by the agent. Certain types of cigarettes are banned.
For updated information, visit: https://www.customs.gov.sa/sites/sc/en/sRules.
Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.