Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 10/1/2006

**GAIN Report Number:** JO6008

JO6008

**Jordan**

**Export Certificate FAIRS Report**

**Annual**

**2006**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Peter Kurz

U.S. Embassy

**Prepared by:**

Mohamed Khraishy/ Frederick Giles

**Report Highlights:**

Meeting the requirements of food export certificates required by the
Jordanian authorities is the most important step to facilitate trade
food, this report high lights the different documents needed from
different American agencies, what are the purposes of these documents
and what Jordanian authority require them.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Annual Report

Amman \[JO1\]

\[JO\]

Table of Contents

[I.      INTRODUCTION 3](#i.-introduction)

[II. LIST OF EXPORT CERTIFICATES REQUIRED BY JORDAN OF IMPORT AND THE
PRODUCTS THEY COVER.
4](#ii.-list-of-export-certificates-required-by-jordan-of-import-and-the-products-they-cover.)

[IV. SPECIFIC ATTESTTION REQUIRED ON THE EXPORT CERTIFICATE.
7](#iv.-specific-attesttion-required-on-the-export-certificate.)

[V. GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATE LEGAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS.
8](#v.-government-certificate-legal-entry-requirements.)

[VI. OTHER CERTIFICATION/ACCREDITATON REQUIREMENTS.
9](#vi.-other-certificationaccreditaton-requirements.)

[APPENDIX I. GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS
9](#appendix-i.-government-regulatory-agency-contacts)

[APPENDIX II: OTHER IMPORT SPECIALIST CONTACTS
10](#appendix-ii-other-import-specialist-contacts)

 **FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL IMPORT REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS (FAIRS)**

**EXPORT CERTIFICATE FAIRS REPORT**

DISCLAIMER: the Agricultural Trade Office of the USDA/Foreign
Agricultural Service in Amman, Jordan has prepared this report for U.S.
exporters of domestic food and agricultural products. While every
possible care has been taken in the preparation of this report, the
information provided might be dated, as some import requirements are
subject to frequent change. It is highly recommended that U.S. exporters
ensure that all necessary customs clearance requirements have been
verified with local authorities through your foreign importer before the
sale conditions are finalized. FINAL IMPORT APPROVAL OF ANY PRODUCT IS
ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS AS INTERPRETED BY THE
COUNTRY OF IMPORT AT THE TIME OF PRODUCT ENTRY.

# I.                   INTRODUCTION  

Jordan is a small Middle Eastern country with a population of 5,350,000
and limited natural resources. Jordan is a net food importing country
that depends on imports for some basic food items such as wheat, barley,
corn, dairy products, sugar, red meat, rice, legumes and canned food
items.

A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Jordan and the United States
entered into force in December 2001. Since that time, Jordan has been
eliminating trade barriers between the two countries, a process that
will be completed in 10 years. This has a direct effect on the creation
of new commercial opportunities for U.S. firms seeking to enter the
Jordanian market and the Middle East region.

Importers are required to insure for any human health hazards associated
with trade in a form of microbial, parasitical and fungal contamination.
Import consignments are routinely tested for radiation levels and
chemical contaminants, including heavy metals, hormones and residue from
medicines. Food additives are determined by testing. Less frequent
testing is done for pesticide residues.

Importers of food are required to meet the Ministry of Health's (MoH)
technical regulations. Importers of meat, animal feed, and seedlings are
required to meet Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) technical regulations. A
committee comprising officials from Jordan Institute of Standards and
Metrology (JISM), the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture
and the customs department carry out inspections of food and agriculture
products at the border, Jordan applies internationally recognized
standards when these are available.

Monitoring of imported food for compliance with Jordan's technical
regulations and other international standards is done on a risk-based
system (See GAIN Report Number: JO6006).

 

# II. LIST OF EXPORT CERTIFICATES REQUIRED BY JORDAN OF IMPORT AND THE PRODUCTS THEY COVER. 

Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Jordan Institute of Standards and
Metrology (JISM), Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA), Customs
Department (CA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food
Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS)

+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| **Produ | **Title of        | **A        | **Purpose** | **Req     |
| ct(s)** | Certificate**     | ttestation |             | uesting** |
|         |                   | Required   |             |           |
|         |                   | on         |             | **M       |
|         |                   | Cer        |             | inistry** |
|         |                   | tificate** |             |           |
+=========+===================+============+=============+===========+
| *       | Country of origin | US         | Custom      | MOA,      |
| *Powder | certificate       | Government | Valuation,  | JISM,     |
| Milk**  | (COOC).           |            | Health,     | JFDA, CA  |
|         |                   | Or Chamber | Risk        |           |
|         |                   | of         | control     |           |
|         |                   | commerce   |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | Sanitary and      | USDA-FSIS  | Human's     | MOA, JFDA |
|         | Phyto Sanitary    | or APHIS   | Health      |           |
|         | (SPS) Veterinary  |            |             |           |
|         | Animal health     |            |             |           |
|         | certificate       |            |             |           |
|         | (VAHC).           |            |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | Fitness for human | FDA or     | Human's     | JISM,     |
|         | consumption       | USDA-FSIS  | Health      | JFDA      |
|         | c                 |            |             |           |
|         | ertificate.(FHCC) |            |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | Product validity  | FDA or     | Human's     | JISM,     |
|         | for consumption   | USDA-FSIS  | Health      | JFDA      |
|         | in the country of |            |             |           |
|         | origin.(PVCCOOC)  |            |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| **F     | COOC, VAHC, FHCC, | FDA or     | Human's     | MOA,      |
| lavored | PVCCOOC, Approved | USDA-FSIS  | Health      | JISM,     |
| Milk**  | flavor and/or     |            |             | JFDA, CA  |
|         | coloring          |            |             |           |
|         | material.         |            |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| *       | COOC              | US         | Custom      | MOA,      |
| *Bovine |                   | Government | Valuation,  | JISM,     |
| Meat**  |                   |            | Health,     | JFDA, CA  |
|         |                   | Or Chamber | Risk        |           |
|         |                   | of         | control     |           |
|         |                   | commerce   |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | SPS-VAHC          | USDA-FSIS  | Free from   | MOA       |
|         |                   | or APHIS   | infectious  |           |
|         |                   |            | and         |           |
|         |                   |            | contagious  |           |
|         |                   |            | diseases-   |           |
|         |                   |            | food safety |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | *Halal*           | Supplier/  | The         | MOA, JISM |
|         | certificate (HC)  | Ma         | slaughter   |           |
|         |                   | nufacturer | observes    |           |
|         |                   |            | the Islamic |           |
|         |                   |            | traditions. |           |
|         |                   |            | Food        |           |
|         |                   |            | quality     |           |
|         |                   |            | consumers'  |           |
|         |                   |            | protection  |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | A hormone free    | JFDA or    | Meat should | MOA, JFDA |
|         | certificate       | USDA-FSIS  | be from     |           |
|         |                   |            | animals     |           |
|         |                   |            | that are    |           |
|         |                   |            | hormone     |           |
|         |                   |            | free. Food  |           |
|         |                   |            | safety      |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | Free from BSE     | USDA-FSIS  | Free from   | MOA       |
|         | high-risk tissues | or APHIS   | BSE         |           |
|         | certificate       |            | high-risk   |           |
|         |                   |            | tissues.    |           |
|         |                   |            | Food safety |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| **Pr    | COOC              | US         | Custom      | MOA,      |
| ocessed |                   | Government | Valuation,  | JISM,     |
| meat**  |                   |            | Health,     | JFDA, CA  |
|         |                   | Or Chamber | Risk        |           |
|         |                   | of         | control     |           |
|         |                   | commerce   |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | SPS-VAHC          | USDA-FSIS  | Free from   | MOA       |
|         |                   | or APHIS   | infectious  |           |
|         |                   |            | and         |           |
|         |                   |            | contagious  |           |
|         |                   |            | diseases-   |           |
|         |                   |            | food safety |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | *HC*              | Supplier/  | The         | MOA, JISM |
|         |                   | Ma         | slaughter   |           |
|         |                   | nufacturer | observes    |           |
|         |                   |            | the Islamic |           |
|         |                   |            | traditions. |           |
|         |                   |            | Food        |           |
|         |                   |            | quality     |           |
|         |                   |            | consumers'  |           |
|         |                   |            | protection  |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | A hormone free    | USDA-FSIS  | Meat should | MOA, JFDA |
|         | certificate       | or APHIS   | be from     |           |
|         |                   |            | animals     |           |
|         |                   |            | that are    |           |
|         |                   |            | hormone     |           |
|         |                   |            | free. Food  |           |
|         |                   |            | safety      |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | Free from BSE     | USDA-FSIS  | Free from   | MOA       |
|         | high-risk tissues | or APHIS   | BSE         |           |
|         | certificate       |            | high-risk   |           |
|         |                   |            | tissues.    |           |
|         |                   |            | Food safety |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| **      | COOC              | US         | Custom      | MOA,      |
| Poultry |                   | Government | Valuation,  | JISM,     |
| meat**  |                   |            | Health,     | JFDA,     |
|         |                   | Or Chamber | Risk        | Customs   |
|         |                   | of         | control     |           |
|         |                   | commerce   |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | *HC*              | Supplier/  | The         | MOA, JISM |
|         |                   | Ma         | slaughter   |           |
|         |                   | nufacturer | observes    |           |
|         |                   |            | the Islamic |           |
|         |                   |            | traditions. |           |
|         |                   |            | Food        |           |
|         |                   |            | quality     |           |
|         |                   |            | consumers'  |           |
|         |                   |            | protection  |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | Residues          | National   |             | MOA,      |
|         | monitoring        | Residue    |             | JISM,     |
|         | Program           | control    |             | JFDA      |
|         | certificate       | system     |             |           |
|         |                   | (FSIS-EPA  |             |           |
|         |                   | & FDA)     |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | Poultry meat from | FDA,       | Food safety | MOA, JFDA |
|         | flocks have not   | USDA-FSIS  |             |           |
|         | been fed on       | or APHIS   |             |           |
|         | bovine bone and   |            |             |           |
|         | meat meals        |            |             |           |
|         | certificate       |            |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| *       | Validity          | FDA,       | Shelf life. | MOA,      |
| *Pisces | certificate       | USDA-FSIS  | Food        | JISM,     |
| (Fish   |                   | or APHIS   | quality     | JFDA      |
| and sea |                   |            |             |           |
| fr      |                   |            |             |           |
| uits)** |                   |            |             |           |
|         |                   |            |             |           |
| *       |                   |            |             |           |
| *Frozen |                   |            |             |           |
| and or  |                   |            |             |           |
| Proc    |                   |            |             |           |
| essed** |                   |            |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | Processing        |            | Food        | MOA, JISM |
|         | procedures        |            | quality     |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | COOC              | US         | Custom      | MOA,      |
|         |                   | Government | Valuation,  | JISM,     |
|         |                   |            | Health,     | JFDA, CA  |
|         |                   | Or Chamber | Risk        |           |
|         |                   | of         | control     |           |
|         |                   | commerce   |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | SPS-VAHC          | USDA-FSIS  | Free from   | MOA       |
|         |                   |            | infectious  |           |
|         |                   |            | and         |           |
|         |                   |            | contagious  |           |
|         |                   |            | diseases-   |           |
|         |                   |            | food safety |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| **C     | COOC              | US         | Custom      | MOA,      |
| heese** |                   | Government | Valuation,  | JISM,     |
|         |                   |            | Health,     | JFDA, CA  |
|         |                   | Or Chamber | Risk        |           |
|         |                   | of         | control     |           |
|         |                   | commerce   |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | SPS-VAHC          | USDA-FSIS  | Free from   | MOA, JFDA |
|         |                   | or APHIS   | infectious  |           |
|         |                   |            | and         |           |
|         |                   |            | contagious  |           |
|         |                   |            | diseases.   |           |
|         |                   |            | Food safety |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | Hazard Analysis   | Accredited | Food        | JFDA      |
|         | and Critical      | by FDA,    | quality     |           |
|         | Control Point     | USDA-FSIS  |             |           |
|         | (HACCP)           | or APHIS   |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| **      | COOC              | US         | Custom      | MOA,      |
| Honey** |                   | Government | Valuation,  | JISM,     |
|         |                   |            | Health,     | JFDA, CA  |
|         |                   | Or Chamber | Risk        |           |
|         |                   | of         | control     |           |
|         |                   | commerce   |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | Residues free     | FDA,       | Food safety | MOA, JFDA |
|         | certificate       | USDA-FSIS  |             |           |
|         |                   | or APHIS   |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
| **Fresh | COOC              | US         | Custom      | MOA,      |
| fruits  |                   | Government | Valuation,  | JISM,     |
| and     |                   |            | Health,     | JFDA, CA  |
| Veget   |                   | Or Chamber | Risk        |           |
| ables** |                   | of         | control     |           |
|         |                   | commerce   |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+
|         | Quarantine pests  | USDA-FSIS  | Plant       | MOA       |
|         | free Sanitary and | or APHIS   | health      |           |
|         | Phyto Sanitary    |            |             |           |
|         | certificate SPS   |            |             |           |
+---------+-------------------+------------+-------------+-----------+

 

**III. PURPOSE OF SPECIFIC EXPORT CERTIFICATE (S).**

According to Article 31 of the Customs Law of 1998 and its amendments,
every customs declaration must include the following:

1.  Maritime or air bill of lading.

2.  Commercial invoice indicating value, weight, freight and insurance
    charges etc. All invoices should be notarized by the Jordanian
    diplomatic mission in the country of origin. Certification by the
    local chamber of commerce is sufficient, subject to the approval of
    the customs department director, in cases where a Jordanian
    consulate is not available.

3.  A notarized certificate of origin issued by the relevant authority
    in the exporter\'s local area.

4.  Value declaration form for shipments exceeding JD 2,000 (USD 2,820).

The customs department may request other documents related to the
shipment as needed. All unprocessed agricultural products are by law
under the mandate of Ministry of Agriculture while processed food is
under the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA).

All of meat and processed meat products imported into Jordan must be
accompanied with Sanitary and phyto sanitary certificate (SPS) from
proper authority indicating that the product is Free from infectious and
contagious diseases as a preliminary food safety requirement, also the
certificate shall state that the animal has not been fed feed that
contains bovine bone and meat meals.

Since Jordan classifies the United States as BSE controlled risk, and
until this status changes, the OIE recommendation for import from such
countries should be considered, these recommendations include the
following:

1\) Meat should be free of Glands and Bones.

2\) Meat should be from animals that are hormone free; a hormone free
certificate is required.

37\) Meat should be from animals that received antemortem inspection in
the country of origin.

4\) Bovine meat should be from animals that have not been subjected to
gas injection into fore cavity (nasal or mouth cavity) or upper
veritable column puncture (might cause nervous tissues rupture) before
slaughter.

5\) Consignment should be free of eyes, brains, spinal cords or meat
mechanically extracted from skull or vertebral column.

6\) Meat should be from cattle not exceeding 30 months of age.

All animal origin meat shall be accompanied with a Halal certificate to
indicate the slaughter process has observed Islamic traditions. This
general requirement is to serve religious of the consumers' beliefs.

A USDA FSIS certificate is necessary for meat products including poultry
products to cover the requirement (veterinary and sanitary certificate).

# IV. SPECIFIC ATTESTTION REQUIRED ON THE EXPORT CERTIFICATE.

All food consignment received at Jordan's border points for clearance
shall be accompanied with relevant documents as following: -

Raw plant material food shall be accompanied with:

-   Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary certificate from the country of origin

-   Vessel inspection certificate for the preparedness and ability to
    transport cereals.

Vegetable oils shall be accompanied with:

-   A certificate of preparedness to haul edible oils,

-   A certificate of type of metal used in the tanks lining,

-   Type of paint used for lining and

-   List of materials carried by the vessel for the last three trips
    prior to current one.

Meat products shall be accompanied with:

-   SPS certificates that attest it came from healthy animals that have
    been subjected to all required veterinary inspections under sanitary
    conditions.

-   The produced meat is fit for human consumption.

-   Since Jordan classify the US as BSE controlled risk, and until this
    status change the OIE recommendation for import from such countries
    should be considered.

# V. GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATE LEGAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS.  

Ministry of Agriculture requires a prior approval as a condition to
ensure that the animals and animal products meet local health standards
issued by JISM. The importation of special flour and powdered milk for
manufacturing purposes is subject to prior approval from the Ministry of
Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture. Importation of rice,
sugar, and wheat derivatives has been liberalized. The private sector
may import these items into Jordan if prevailing customs duties and
taxes are paid, and the product meets local quality standards. Alcoholic
beverages may be imported into Jordan, but high tariffs are applied
(50‑180 percent) -- as a revenue source for the government.

Usually when importing meats, fruits, fish and vegetables a prior
license of import should have been issued by the relevant authority. In
this case Ministry of Agriculture issues an import license to the trader
upon request and indicates the time validity of the license, which is
usually three months unless otherwise mentioned.

For transit shipment to a third country the license validity is usually
two months unless for chilled meat, one month.

The original certificate does not need to accompany the product at the
time of entry, instead a photocopy or fax copy would be considered
temporarily enough, especially with perishables like meat and fruits
consignments. The customs authority releases the consignment under bail,
or any acceptable form of securities until the original certificate has
been submitted.

The importer can import his shipment to Jordan on a multiple bases using
the same import license either until the license expiration date or the
quantity is fulfilled.

Jordan customs authority accepts U.S. state-issued export certificates,
it also accepts suppliers' or manufacturers' export declarations as
proof of compliance but retain the right to investigate it at any moment
without the need to justify.

#  VI. OTHER CERTIFICATION/ACCREDITATON REQUIREMENTS.  

Jordan Customs developed and launched the Customs Integrated Tariff
System (CITS) in Aug/2005 to assist importers. Web site:
[http://www.customs.gov.jo](http://www.customs.gov.jo/)

Importers can use this system to monitor commodity tariffs, import
conditions and commodity trade agreements.

The CITS system allows an importer to review all regulations and
requirements of the commodity trade; all CITS system information is in
Arabic and English.

All imported foods should conform to the Jordanian standards issued by
JISM. All agricultural products may be imported by the private sector
(with the exception of wheat and barley) if the products meet local
quality standards, which are set by JISM on the basis of the *Codex
Alimentarius*
([http://www.codexalimentarius.net](http://www.codexalimentarius.net/),
[www.jism.gov.jo](http://www.jism.gov.jo/)). In 2003, JISM instituted a
pre-shipment inspection program, which is entirely voluntary for food
importers. Import licenses are not required for most imported goods.
Some products require prior approval from either the Ministry of
Agriculture or the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Agricultural products
for which prior approval is required from the Ministry of Agriculture
are live animals, fresh, chilled and frozen meat and frozen animal
semen, and powdered milk for adults and babies.

Any imported agricultural or food product may be inspected and tested to
ensure that it is fit for human consumption. Virtually all prepared and
mixed foods are tested at the border.

The JFDA has the authority to inspect food products at the retail and
wholesale distribution levels. A representative may enter any place and
collect samples for testing. If a product fails to meet technical
requirements or is found unfit for human consumption, it is removed from
distribution channels and destroyed.

Food additives are regulated by JISM and JFDA. In general, permissible
additives and their concentrations are those approved by the *Codex
Alimentarius* Commission. However, the technical standards for foods
contain specific lists for food additive and their permissible levels of
use. These standards should be consulted to make sure that additives are
permitted.

Labeling requirements are set by the Institute of Standards and
Metrology. Legal requirements for labeling are fairly standard although
a statement of ingredients in order of preponderance is not required.
All labels must either be in Arabic or have a stick-on label in Arabic.
In general, the label should contain the name of the product, the
manufacturer's name and address, net weight, fortifying matter (like
added vitamins and minerals to powder milk), lot number and "use before"
or "best before" date. Local labeling requirements do not include
Recommended Daily Intake (RDIs). Nutritional labeling is mandatory in
certain categories of food including infant formula, food for dietary
use, etc. Web-site: [www.jism.gov.jo](http://www.jism.gov.jo/)

# 

# 

# APPENDIX I. GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS

Jordan Food & Drug Directorate

Tel: (962-6) 4612663

Fax: (962-6) 4612663

Web-site: [www.jfda.jo](http://www.jfda.jo/)

Ministry of Industry and Trade

Tel: (962-6) 560-7191/5663774

Fax: (962-6) 560-4691

Web-site: [www.mit.gov.jo](http://www.mit.gov.jo/)

Ministry of Agriculture

Veterinary Services Directorate

OR

Plant Protection Directorate

Tel: (962-6) 5686151

Fax: (962-6) 5686310

Web-site: [www.moa.gov.jo](http://www.moa.gov.jo/)

Jordan Institute of Standards and Metrology

Tel: (962-6) 5680139

Fax: (962-6) 5681099

Web-site: [www.jism.gov.jo](http://www.jism.gov.jo/)

Jordan Customs Department

P.O.Box 90, Amman, Jordan

Tel: (962-6) 462-3186/8; 462-4394/6

Fax: (962-6) 464-7791

E-mail: <Customs@Customs.gov.jo>

Web-site: [http://www.customs.gov.jo](http://www.customs.gov.jo/)

Ministry of Environment

Tel: + (962-6) 5560113

Fax: + (962-6) 5560288

Web-site: <http://www.moenv.gov.jo/>

Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority **\
**P.O.Box 2565**,** Aqaba 77110, Jordan**\
**Tel: + (962-6) 3 203 5757/8**\
**Fax: + (962-6) 3 203 0912

Web-site: <http://www.aqabazone.com/>

# APPENDIX II: OTHER IMPORT SPECIALIST CONTACTS 

For further help, please contact the Office of Agricultural Affairs,
American Embassy, POBox 354, Amman, Jordan, Phone: (962-6) 5906056, Fax:
(962-6) 5920146, E-Mail: [Mohamed.khraishy@usda.gov]{.underline}

#