English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
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GCC  Guide  for Control on  
Imported Foods  
(English)  
 
July 2014  
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Table of Contents  
1.  Introduction  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  3 
2. Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  3 
3. Definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  4 
4. Principles  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  9 
5. Risk-based Approach to food safety requirements  ................................ .......................  10 
5.1. Factors taken into account in application of the risk -based food control system  ........  10 
5.2. Risk -based food control system  ................................ ................................ ................  12 
6.  Required Documents and Health Certificates  ................................ ..............................  13 
6.1 Required Documents and Health certificates  ................................ ..............................  14 
6.2 Health Attestations:  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 14 
Health Certificate for Export of Processed Food  ................................ ................................ ..... 16 
Health Certificate for Export of Meat and Meat Products  ................................ ......................  16 
Health Certificate for Export of (milk, and Milk Products)  ................................ ......................  17 
Health Certificate for Export of Table Eggs and Egg Products  ................................ .................  17 
Health Certificate for Export of Products of Aquatic Animal Origin (Fish and fish Products, 
including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms)  ................................ ................................  18 
Phytosanitary Certificate for Export of Plant and Plant products  ................................ ...........  18 
6.3. Halal Certificate/Halal Slaughtering Certificate ................................ ..........................  19 
Halal Slaughtering Certificate for Export of Meat and Meat Products  ................................ .... 19 
Halal Certificate for Export of products of Meat Origin  ................................ ..........................  20 
7. Inspection and clearance of imported foods  ................................ ................................  20 
7.1. Reserve notification and detention of consignment  ................................ ..................  20 
7.2. Temporary release  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 21 
7.3. Automatically detained food  ................................ ................................ ....................  22 
8. Food imported for non -commercial purposes  ................................ ..............................  22 
9. Food prohibited from importation on food safety gro unds ................................ ...........  23 
10. Prohibition of importation of foods on sanitary or phytosanitary grounds  ..................  24 
Appendix (1) - GCC Imported food Control procedures  ................................ .....................  25 
Appendix (2)  Health Certificates Forms ……………………………………………………………… …............  27 
- Health certificate for export of processed food  ................................ ...............................  28 
- Health Certificate for Export of Meat and Meat Products  .......  Error! Bookmark not defined.  
- Health Certificate for Export of (milk, and Milk Products)  ................................ ................  30 
- Health Certificate for Export of Table Eggs and Egg Products  ................................ ...........  31 
- Health Certificate for Export of Products of Aquatic Animal Origin  (Fish and fish Products, 
including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms)  ................................ ................................  32 
-Phytosanitary  Certificate for Export of Plant and Plant products ....................... ....... ..........33  
Appendix (3)  Halal Certificate/Halal Slaughtering Certificate Forms  
……………….…… ……..Error! Bookmark not defined. ....34 
- Halal certificate for Export of products of Meat Origin  ................................ .........................  35 
- Halal Slaughtering Certificate for Export of Meat and Meat Products  ................................ . 36 English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
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1.  Introduction  
 
The competent authorities responsible for food control in the GCC countries recognize 
that effective and efficient inspection and certification systems are fundamental 
components of the trade in food. The competent authorities of the GCC have the 
common go al of an integrated and harmonized import inspection and certification 
system that is best practice, risk -based and meets without prejudice the obligations of 
the relevant World Trade Organization agreements. This system will be fit for purpose 
and will en sure consumer protection while facilitating trade.  
 
The competent authorities of the GCC have the responsibility of ensuring that all food 
arriving in the GCC countries complies with the relevant  GCC requirements1. 
The means of assurance provided by expor ting countries can be provided in a number 
of ways e.g. documentation and certification, reference to other assurances provided 
through inspection activities by the competent authority in the exporting country or an 
officially -recognized party, trading arr angements based on the history of compliance of 
previous shipments of known origin.   
 
This Guide documents a commitment to  science -based import control systems and 
clearance procedures that are: applied in proportion to potential risks to consumers 
from imported food ; responsive to new or emerging risks that may arise in the global 
food supply . They also address non -food safety2 (i.e. food suitability) requiremen ts in a 
transparent and objective manner .  
2. Scope  
 
This Guide  describes principles and regulatory requirements to be applied by the 
exporting country and the importing GCC countries in assuring the safety and 
suitability of shipments of imported food .3 Specific attestations for animal and plant 
health certification are also provided in the Guide . 
 
The Guide incorporates Codex , OIE, IPPC standards as international benchmarks where 
appropriate.  
 
There is ongoing work in the GCC countries to harmonize all regulatory requirements 
for imported foods and provide a coordinated and efficient border inspection and 
clearance system. While regulatory requirements and procedures for imported foods  
  
                                                           
1 All GCC food standards and technical regulations are available at GSO website: www.gso.org.sa   
2 The GCC food imports Guide tackles food suitability issues related to ethnic/religious considerations 
such as Halal food and labeling issues, which are considered as legitimate factors.  
 
3 Foods imported for personal use are not subject to the requirements in this guideline and are allowed 
where the packaging is intact and provides sufficient information to allow entry e.g. name and 
number of food establishment in the country of origin . 
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 are not as yet fully harmonized between the countries of the GCC, this Guide will 
contribute to the harmonization process. In particular, the countries of the GCC will 
continue to work towards a  fully  risk-based approach to  assure  the safety of imported 
foods .   
  
3. Definitions :         The following words and expressions shall, unless the context otherwise 
requires, have the meaning hereby assigned to them  
  
Food where certain materials have been added to its original 
ingredients for the purpose of reducing its quality and nutritional value, 
or where some of the nutrients have been removed partially or entirely 
without disclosing these c hanges on the food label .  
 Adulterated food  
 
Certificate issued by the concerned party (i.e. exporter, shipping 
agency or officially recognized third party) in the country of origin or 
exporting country that assures  the fitness of the vehicle used for 
transporting food and proves the suitability to transport the exported 
food .   
 Certificate of 
fitness for 
transport vehicle  
 
 
The official body or officially -recognized body that has regulatory 
jurisdiction for food control . 
  Competent 
authority  
 
The action taken by the competent regulatory authorities of the 
importing GCC countries to dispose rejected food proved unfit for 
human consumption .   
 Condemnation  
Action taken by the competent authority to allow release of a 
consignment of food to the importer under prescribed conditions .  
  Conditional 
release  
 
A defined collection of food products normally covered by a single 
certificate.  It may consist in either a portion of a lot, either a set of 
several lots.    Consignment  / 
Shipment  
 
  
Any substance not intentionally added to food, which is present in such 
food as a result of the production (including operations carried out in 
crop husbandry, animal husbandry and veterinary medicine), 
manufacture, processing, preparation, treatment, packing, packaging, 
transport or holding of such food or as a result of environmental 
contamination. The term does not include insect fragmen ts, rodent 
hairs and other extraneous matter .  
  Contaminant  
An official document that authorizes the transfer of goods from the 
port of entry to the area of food inspection .   
 Delivery notice  
 
A review of all documents accompanying the consignment.   Documentary  English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
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 Check  
 
The capability of different inspection and certification systems to meet 
the same objectives ; i.e. t he state where  in sanitary measures applied 
in an exporting country, though different from the measures applied in 
an importing country,  achieve, as demonstrated by the exporting 
country, the importing country’s appropriate level of sanitary 
protection . 
 Equivalence  
Food that is fit for human consumption according to its end use as 
specified by the technical regulations of the GCC, or ap proved 
alternative equivalent measures.    
 Fitness for 
human 
consumption  
Any substance, whether processed, semi -processed or raw, which is  
intended for human consumption, and includes drink, chewing gum 
and any substance which has been used in the manufacture, 
preparation or treatment of food but does not include cosmetics or 
tobacco  or substances used only as drugs    
 Food 
Mandatory, regulatory activity, carried out  by the competent control 
authorities, for the purposes of protecting the health of consumers and 
to ensure the safety of food during all stages of food chain . 
 Food Control  
 
All stages of food handling, including the primary production, 
importing, exporting,  manufacturing, preparation, processing, 
wrapping, packaging, transporting, storing, distributing, serving and 
selling.  
 Food chain  
 
 
Production  of food  or manufacturing , preparation , processing ,  
wrapping , packaging , catering , transporting , possessing , storing ,  
distributing , serving , selling or donating for the purpose of human 
consumption . 
 Food Handling  
 
All conditions and measures necessary to ensure the safety and 
suitability of food at all stages of the food chain.  
 Food Hygiene   
 
Examination of food or food safety systems by the competent 
authorities in the importing country, for the purposes of control of 
production inputs, processes and final products through all stages of 
food chain, to verify their conformity to the technical r egulations of the 
GCC, or approved alternative equivalent measures.  
 Food Inspection  
 
Any tag, brand, mark, pictorial or other descriptive matter, written, 
printed, stencilled, marked, embossed or impressed on, or attached to, 
a container of food.  
 Food label 
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Assurance that food will not cause harm to the consumer when it is 
prepared and/or eaten  according to its end ed use.   
  Food Safety  
 
Assurance that Food is acceptable for human consumption according 
to its ended  use.   Food Suitability  
 
A comprehensive system for all the procedures and control measures 
to ensure food safety, including the application of good hygiene 
practice (GHP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), and 
traceability .  
 Food safety 
management 
system  
 
The ability to  follow the movement of a food through all stage(s) of 
production, processing and distribution.   
 Food Traceability  
 
A scientific system  which identifies , evalua tes, and control s hazards 
which are significant  for food  safety .    
 Hazard Analysis 
and Critical 
Control Points  
(HACCP)  
 
Certificate issued by the country of origin or country of exportation by 
an accredited (GCC) Islamic agency (society), attesting that:  the product  
(such as meat, fat, gelatin, rennet, the broth)  has been  prepared , 
produ ced and circulated in accordance with the rules of Islamic Sharia  
law; or the food which contains animal products or by -products  is halal 
and has been produced in accordance with the rules of Islamic Sharia  
law; and that the food has been handled with equipment and 
instruments which are not against the teachings of Islamic Sharia  law 
and  in accordance with the GCC technical regulations .  
  
Halal Certificate  
 
Certificate issued by the country of origin by an accredited (GCC) 
Islamic agency (society), attesting that:  the animal  has been  slaughtered 
in accordance with the rules of Islamic Sharia .   
  
Halal 
Slaughtering 
Certificate  
 
A biological, chemical or physical agent in, or condition of, food with 
the potential to cause an adverse health effect  
  
Hazard  
 
 
Certificate (paper or electronic) issued by the competent authority in 
the country of origin or the country of exportation, attesting that the 
safety (and suitability) of the consignment of food is in accordance with 
the relevant technical regulations of t he GCC (including registration 
numbers of food establishments) , or approved alternative equivalent 
measures.  Health 
Certificate4 
 
                                                           
4 The certificate template should be in certain format approved by GCC which is  based on principles stated on 
codex.(Ref: codex CAClGL 38 -2001( 
   
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Any representation that states, suggests, or implies that a relationship 
exists between a food or a constituent of that food and health. It 
includes the following:  
Nutrient function claims – a nutrition claim that describes the 
physiological role of the nutrient in growth, development and normal 
functions of the body  
Other function claims – These claims concern specific ben eficial effects 
of the consumption of foods or their constituents, in the context of the 
total diet on normal functions or biological activities of the body. Such 
claims relate to a positive contribution to health or to the improvement 
of a function or to modifying or preserving health.  
Reduction of disease risk claims – Claims relating the consumption of a 
food or food constituent, in the context of the total diet, to the 
reduced risk of developing a disease or health -related condition.  
 Health claim  
 
A visual inspection verifying all documents accompanying the 
consignment and making sure they match the product itself.    
 Product Identity 
Check  
A person or legal entity importing food  to GCC .  
 Importer  
A packing List or invoice or any document issued by the exporting 
company in the country of origin or country of export, which describes 
and quantifies the food in the consignment .     List of contents  
 
A definitive quantity of a commodity produced essentially under the 
same conditions  have uniform characteristics such as origin, producer, 
packer, markings, consignor, batch No. etc  
 Lot/batch   
 
The presence of microorganisms, including pathogens and their toxins, 
accidentally in food during handling within the food chain . Microbial 
contamination  
 
Any representation which states, suggests or implies that a food has 
particular nutritional properties including but not limited to the energy value 
and  to the content of protein, fat and carbohydrates, as well as the content 
of  vitamins and minerals and inc ludes:  
Nutrient content claim is a nutrition claim that describes the level of a 
nutrient contained in a food.  
Nutrient comparative claim is a claim that compares the nutrient levels 
and/or energy value of two or more foods.  
   
 Nutrition claim  
 
Land, sea  or air port customs border which is designated as an entry 
point for shipments imported into any of the GCC countries.  
 Port of entry  
 
Action taken by the competent authority to detain a consignment of 
food at the port of entry when the food is suspected of not being 
compliant with GCC technical regulations.  
 Preventive 
detention  
 
An actual physical e valuation (using sight, sense and smell) of food , Phys ical English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
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label  and packaging at the border of entry  without the resource for 
laboratory analysis , includ ing the visual inspection  for general 
conditions of the consignment  and the product identity check of its  
contents . 
 examination / 
Check  
 
Action taken by the competent authority, under official controls, to 
allow an importer to re -export a consignment not presenting any 
health hazard of food in its entirety within a prescribed time limit, 
having met all documentary and customs requirements , provided that 
the food is not used during the holding time and availing documents 
that prove the re -export of such consignment .  
 Release for re -
export  
 
Where a consignment of food is found to be non -compliant with GCC 
requirements, the Competent Authority will issue a reserve notification 
that states the reason for the reservation and the product will be 
detained  under official control .   
 Reserve 
notification  
A function of the probability of an adverse health effect and the 
severity of that effect, consequential to a hazard(s) in food .  
  Risk 
 
Organized decisions making process related to food safety, based on a 
scientific basis and developing necessary precautions to manage a 
process consist ing of three components: risk assessment, risk 
management and risk communication . 
  Risk analysis  
Any measure applied to protect human life or health within the 
territory of the country from risks arising from additives, contaminants, 
toxins or disease -causing organisms in food or feedstuffs, or from risks 
arising from diseases carried by foods which are animals, plants or 
products thereof or from risks arising from any other hazards in foods.  
 Sanitary 
measures5 
The criteria set down  or required  by the competent authorities relating 
to trade in foodstuffs covering the protection of public health, the 
protection of consumers and conditions of fair trading.    
 Requirements  
A document   that lays down, for normal and frequent use, the ru les 
and instructions or characteristics of the products, operations or 
relevant methods of production thereof , the adherence to which shall 
not be compulsory. This document may include or examine in 
particular the terms, definitions, packing and the marki ng or labeling 
requirements to be applied to the products, operations or the methods 
of production .   
 Standards  
                                                           
5 Sanitary measures include all relevant laws, decrees, regulations, requirements and procedures 
including, inter alia , end product criteria; processes and production methods; testing, inspection, 
certification and approval procedures; provisions on relevant  statistical methods, sampling procedures 
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Document provided by the owner or his representative describing the 
food to be imported and that is in accordance with the relevant 
customs requirements of the GCC . 
 Statement of 
entry (customs 
declaration)  
Requirements issued by the GSO  (Gulf Standards Organization) which 
are mandatory .   
  Technical 
regulations  
Total reading (paper or electronic) of temperatures during the 
transport of refrigerated and frozen food, through the use of 
(Thermographs) devices to measure the circulating air temperature or 
food temperature  
 Temperature 
readings Record 
during transport  
 
Action taken by the competent authority, under official controls , to 
allow, the importer to transfer a consignment of food from the port of 
entry to a warehouse, pending issuance  of an official decision on 
release .   
 Temporary 
release  
 
Any means  including  any part thereof , designated to transport food  
whether by sea, land or air .   
   Vehicle  
4. Principles  
 
All food shipments /consignment  imported to the countries of the GCC shall be subject 
to harmonized regulatory requirements6. Regulatory requirements will be subject to 
continuous review as the countries of the GCC work towards a fully unified regulatory 
environment7.    
  
Inspection and certification requirements applying to food safety aspects of imported 
food will be risk -based to the greatest extent practicable, with control measures 
applied in proportion to like ly risks to the consumer. The type and frequency of 
inspection at the time of import of shipments of food, and clearance procedures, will 
reflect this approach.  
The technical regulations and standards of the GCC countries will be used as the 
primary basis for certification of food shipments by exporting countries. Where 
deemed appropriate by the GCC e.g. where current GCC technical regulations and 
standards are not comprehensive in terms of specific requirements for certain 
imported foods, the GCC may defer  to Codex, OIE and IPPC standards, guidelines and 
recommendations as the basis for certification (and other assurances).  
 
                                                           
6 The guide is considered a mandatory legal tool that will regulate the imports in a harmonized manner, 
thus o ptimizing resources and avoiding redundancy of procedures in the inter -trade between the GCC 
countries.    
 
7 The GCC member countries are currently developing an “implementation guide” that will provide more 
operational dimension to the means of conducting  the inspection and scenario based tools to ensure 
consistency in decision making.  
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All aspects of the GCC inspection and certification systems will be documented and 
transparent, with details of regulatory requiremen ts and operational procedures being 
made available to exporting countries and other stakeholders as requested.  
 
The competent authorities of the GCC countries will strive for uniform implementation 
of regulatory requirements and operational procedures in t he advent of multiple entry 
points for imported foods   
 
Certification of shipments, accompanied by full documentation of the details of each 
food shipment, are key components of import food controls applied by the countries 
of the GCC;  the exporting coun try should take all measures to ensure the authenticity 
and accuracy official certification, and certification by officially -recognized bodies.  
 
The legislation of the GCC countries provides for flexible certification and other 
alternative measure where the food control system applied by the exporting country’s 
competent authority is officially recognized by the GCC. This flexibility can be a 
consequence of a range of activities e.g. through audit of systems in exporting 
countries, recognizing registratio n of approved premises in exporting countries, 
memoranda of understanding, mutual recognition agreements, and equivalence 
agreements.  
 
The GCC recognizes three levels of arrangements:   
- Replication of the GCC requirements  
- Recognition of an importing cou ntry system as “comparable” in terms of food safety 
outcomes even if different systems/requirements  
- Systems /measures Equivalence following a formal evaluation of exporting country’s 
system / measures .  
 
As far as practicable, regulatory  requirements for i mported food will be applied equally 
to domestically -produced food.    
The competent authorities of the GCC countries will provide for effective interchange 
of information on inspection and certification systems with competent authorities in 
other countries, and provide a mechanism for exchange of information in emergency 
situations . 
 
5. Risk -based Approach to food safety requirements  
 
This Guide aims at promoting the application of risk -based food control systems 
through the systematic identification and classification of health risks associated with 
different foods in accordance with their intended use, therefore enabling effective and 
efficient allocation of government and industry resources in ensuring food safety.  
 
5.1. Factors taken  into account in application of the risk -based food control system  
 
Classification of imported foods  English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
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Foods will be classified according to their potential to transmit food borne disease 
relative to their intended end use. This classification will be developed from generic 
risk profiles for different types of food and generally will be independent of country of 
origin or the particulars of a consignment  
 
Risk profiles for classification of foods will include reference to:  
 Likelihood of contamination w ith biological, chemical and/or physical hazards  
 Likelihood of significant levels of contamination persisting throughout the food 
chain  
 Potential risks to human health for the general population  
 Potential risks to human health for susceptible sub -populatio ns 
 Effect of consumer food suitability demand on modifying risks8. 
 
Food will be classified into three general categories: high, medium or low potential risk 
to human health. GCC food classifications may change on the basis of new scientific 
evidence of po tential food borne risks to human health . 
 
Compliance history of imported foods  
 
The GCC countries will systematically document the compliance history of imported 
foods that have been certified or otherwise assured as meeting relevant GCC 
requirements . Evaluation of compliance history will primarily be based on the data 
collected from documentary checks , physical check  including Product Identity checks  
and laboratory tests of imported food shipments from a particular country of origin.  
 
Compliance information provided by the competent authority in the exporting countr y 
may also be taken into account. Evaluation of compliance history  (of food producers  
and country of origin)  may  also relate specifically to food types of particular interest 
e.g. high risk foods or foods with characteristics that are of particular concern to 
consumers.  
 
Documentation of compliance history will include reference to:  
 Correctness of all documentation accompanying a food consignment, including 
attestations  
 Results of physic al checks / examination  including product identity check . 
 Results of targeted laboratory testing.  
 
 
 
Elements of compliance history include;  
1- Number of non -compliances observed for the food product/supplier/country in 
a given year;  
                                                           
8 The risk factor will not prohibit food from being imported but will rather assist the competent 
authorities in the GCC members to determine whether certain food item will  be subjected to higher 
risk category and hence higher control measures applied  English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
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2- Severity of the non-compliance in terms of human health and consumer 
protection;  
3- Published or confidential reports from other food control authorities on similar 
non-compliances;  
4- Results of on -site inspection carried out by food control authorities in the 
exporting countr y; 
5- Other relevant information from various sources (including media).  
 
Evidence of new or emerging hazards in the food supply  
 
The competent authorities of the GCC countries will interact with competent 
authorities in other countries in the identification and risk management of new or 
emerging hazards in the food supply.    
Where the GCC countries do not have the technical ability  to monitor imported foods 
for new or emerging hazards, it is expected that the competent authority in the 
exporting country will have applied the same tests and safeguards as for food in their 
domestic market.  
 
Whole of food chain approach to food safety      
 
The GCC countries recognize that the most effective and efficient means of mitigating  
food borne risks to the consumer are often achieved by application of control 
measures during primary production and processing in the country of origin. Further, 
port-of-entry inspection is recognized as a very limited means of assuring the safety 
and suitability of imported food.  
 
Special arrangements with competent authorities in exporting countries that assure 
the safety of food during primary production and  across the food chain are 
encouraged by the GCC countries.  
 
These can include alternative measures based on:  
 Food being certified as being produced in registered or otherwise officially - 
recognized food premises in the exporting country, and subject to audit  by the 
GCC countries or their agents .  
 Memorandum of understanding ( MoU’s ) between competent authorities  
 Equivalency  agreements  Include Para on “Equivalency”  
 Broader trade agreements e.g. mutual recognition of inspection and 
certification systems .  
5.2. R isk-based food control system  
 
Port -of-entry inspection under the risk -based food control system  will be based on:   
 Certification , exporting country alternative  assurances , and import inspection 
requirements for all consignments of foods, being those specified in GCC 
technical regulations . 
 Type and frequency of inspections including  documentary checks , physical 
examination /check including Product Identity Checks  and sampling  that are English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
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developed from the criteria taken into account in application of the risk -based 
food control system  
 Application of a performance -based border of entry inspection system based 
on the level of compliance with GCC requirements over time . Once the 
compliance level is established through historical data compilation and analysis, 
more targeted risk factors may  be included (i.e . Importer, 
Manufacturer/producer, Brand name and country of origin).   
 Special import inspection arrangements that recognize assurances provided by 
the competent authority in the exporting country . 
 
Food products are classified into three categories according to the degree / extent of 
their potential risk to human health; the se categories include high, medium and low 
risk foods .  
 
The GCC Food Safety Committee will establish the list of foods under each of the above 
categories for approval by the GCC Ministerial Council. The lists shall also determine 
the frequency of  various  inspections (i.e.  physical checks and samples for laboratory 
testing)  to be carried out for the different risk categories of food  and shall be adjusted/ 
updated to take into account new information or scientific data concerning food types 
and/or  potential  hazards.  
Operational components of the risk -based food control system are:  
- Documentary checks of  all consignments  
- Physical checks/ examination  including product identity check  as required . 
- Sampling and laboratory analysis of food as required  
- Harmonized r ules for determining the type and frequency of inspection   
- Mechanisms for information exchange with the competent authority in the 
exporting country . 
- Verification of quality assurance systems operated by importers where they 
contribute to official requirements  
 
Each GCC member country shall apply harmonized, risk -based rules in determining the 
frequency and type of inspection procedures to be followed to ensure food safety. This 
includes incentives for high levels of compliance.   
 
6.  Required Documents and Health Certificates  
 
All consignments of imported food must be covered by appropriate documentation 
and certification. The authenticity and accuracy of official certification and certification 
by officially -recognized bodies will be periodica lly verified and audited by the countries 
of the GCC . 
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6.1 Required Documents and Health certificates9  
All consignments must be accompanied by an original health certificate  issued by the 
competent authority in the country of origin  or an officially  recognized body. The 
health certificate should attest to compliance with the GCC  requirements  countries  
and, where relevant, animal and plant health requirements.    
 
Documentation issued or approved by the relevant competent authority or officially 
recognized bodies  or other designated entities  in the co untry of origin  must include :  
 Customs declaration   
 Permit delivery10  
 Commercial license /  Commercial register  in the relevant field .  
 Health certificate11 
 List of Contents.  
 Halal Slaughtering Certificate for meat and poultry / Halal certificate for 
food items that contain ingredients of animal origin according to the 
requirements stated in section 6.3  
 Supporting documentation for any labeled claims (nutrition claims, health 
claims, and other  claims) as required . Nutrition and health claims for food 
shall only be acceptable, if claim and wording thereof has been approved by 
internationally recognized scientific bodies   
 Temperature records where required   
 Any additional documentation as reques ted by the competent authorities 
of the GCC , in case of incidents and emergency management   
 
Electronically -transmitted health certificates  are an acceptable alternative to paper 
certificates accompanying an imported food consignment where the electronic 
certification system has been accepted by the GCC count ries as legitimate documents .   
 
6.2 Health Attestations:  
Health attestations should be declared in the relevant section of the standard form s of 
health certificate s as listed in  (Appendix  2), by the competent authority in the country 
                                                           
9 The GCC have no prior formal approval mechanism; hence certification remains the key means of 
assuring compliance of the system & product with food safety requirements. Still , the GCC recognize 
the applicability of “alternative measures” with trading partners through the various availed 
arrangements  
 
10 The document that is issued by the shipping agency to the clearance agent/broker at the country of 
destination with general in formation on the vessel/ vehicle and its contents. Once the agent/broker 
receives this document, he/she can commence the customs paperwork and registration of the 
declaration form.  
 
11 The health certificate is the key assurance certificate that must be iss ued by the concerned competent  
authority, whereas the remaining of the documents entail flexibility as they can be issued by the 
relevant entities , The  health  certificate template should be in certain format approved by GCC which based on 
principles stated on codex.  (Ref: codex CAClGL  38-2001(.  
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of origin / country of dispatch  as the main assurance of system compliance and 
product safety . The GCC req uirements will be issued as annexes to this Guide . 
 
An exporting country needs to certify or otherwise assure that the food meets the 
requirements of the importing country. The certification from the exporting country 
should indicate that the food meets the importing country (i.e. GCC) requirements.  
 
In ca se where arrangements are applied (including Recognition of an importing 
country system as “comparable” in terms of food safety outcomes even if different  
systems/requirements and systems Equivalence following a formal evaluation of 
exporting country’s sys tem, the relevant competent authority in the exporting country, 
under equivalence or other agreements, shall be able to certify establishments that 
wish to export to GCC countries.   This, however, does not preclude the GCC country’s 
right to periodically a udit the exporting countries relevant inspection system, including 
a sampling of the certified establishments .  
 
 
In case where a certification of compliance has been issued by a third party operating 
in the country of origin/dispatch, the competent authority in the exporting country 
should ensure integrity, impartiality and independence of the official or officially 
recognized certification system .  
 
 
In case  where  a foreign  Meat establishment  (slaughterhouse /processing plant ) is 
interested in exporting to GCC , it should not start its exports to the GCC unless it has  
been  approved by the GCC or the GCC have technical agreements with the com petent 
authority  of the exporting country .    
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Health Certificate for Export of Processed Food  
 
إنالمنتج الغذائي مطابقا للمتطلبات الخليجية .   Food product  is in conformity with the existing GCC  
requirements.    
 
تم إجراء عمليات تداول للمنتجات الغذائية وفقا للمتطلبات
الخليجية وفي منشأه غذائية خاضعة للرقابة من قبل الجهة 
الرقابية المختصة و/ او الجهة المخولة رسميا، وتطبق 
نظام إدارة سلامة الغذاء استنادا إلى مبادئ نظام الهاسب 
أو ما يماثله. The food product(s) was handled in accordance 
with the GCC requirements, at an establishment 
that has been subjected to inspections by the 
competent authority an d/or officially recognized 
body and implements a food safety management 
system based on HACCP principles or an equivalent 
system .   
Health Certificate for Export of Meat and Meat Products  
 
إن اللحوم أو منتجات اللحوم مطابقة للمتطلبات الخليجية.  The meat/meat product is in conformity with the 
existing GCC requirements.  
إن مصدر اللحوم مطابق لمعايير الصلاحية للاستهلاك الآدمي
المحددة بواسطة المنظمة الدولية لصحة الحيوان.  The source of meat shall meet OIE criteria which 
related to fitness for human  consumption.  
 
تم ذبح الحيوانات في مسلخ مرخص ومعتمد من قبل الجهات  
المختصة في دول المجلس وتحت إشراف  الجهة الرقابية 
المختصة للدولة المصدرة.   Animals have been slaughtered in a slaughterhouse 
that is approved by the GCC authorities and is 
under the supervision of the Competent Authority 
of exporting country.  
  
أن اللحوم منتجة من حيوانات خضعت للفحص قبل الذبح وبعده
من قبل الجهة الرقابية المختصة وذلك وفقاً للمتطلبات الخليجية.  The meat is produced from animals that have been 
subjected to ante -mortem and post - mortem 
inspection by the Competent Authority, in 
accordance with GCC requirements.  
تم إجراء عمليات تداول اللحوم ومنتجاتها وفقا للمتطلبات 
الخليجية وفي منشأه خاضعة للرقابة من قبل الجهة الرقابية  
المختصة، وتطبق نظام إدارة سلامة الغذاء استنادا إلى مبادئ 
نظام الهاسب أو ما يماثله.  The meat and/or meat product was handled in 
accordance with the GCC requirements, at an 
establishment that has been sub jected to 
inspections by the Competent Authority and 
implements a food safety management system 
based on HACCP principles or an equivalent 
system.  
تم تطبيق الممارسات البيطرية الجيدة في استخدام الأدوية 
البيطرية (بما فيها محفزات النمو ) والكيماويات الزراعية في 
الحيوانات الحية، وإن أية متبقيات في اللحوم متوافقة مع 
المتطلبات الخليجية. Good veterinary practice has been applied in use  of 
veterinary medicines (including growth hormones) 
and agriculture chemicals in live animals, and any 
residues in meat comply wit h GCC requirements.  
أن مصدر اللحوم ومنتجاتها لم يتم ذبحها بقصد القضاء على 
الأمراض أو التحكم فيها. The meat/meat product originates from animals 
that have not been slaughtered for the purpose of 
disease eradication  /control  
أن مصدر اللحوم ومنتجاتهاحيوانات لم يتم تغذيتها بالبروتين  
الحيواني المصَنع، باستثناء تلك من الأسماك، ووفقاً للمتطلبات 
الخليجية. The meat/meat product has not been derived from 
animals fed with processed animal protein, 
excluding fish meal, according to the GCC 
requirements.  
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Health Certificate for Export of  (Milk, and Milk Products )12     
 
إن الحليب أو منتجات الحليب مطابقة للمتطلبات الخليجية.  The milk/milk product is in conformity with the 
existing GCC requirements .  
أن مصدر الحليب أو منتجات الحليب حيوانات سليمة 
وخاضعة للفحص البيطري من قبل الجهة الرقابية 
المختصة ومتوافقة مع المتطلبات الخليجية. The milk /milk product has been derived from 
healthy animals that are subject to the official 
veterinary service inspections and are in compliant 
with GCC req uirements . 
تم إجراء عمليات تداول ال حليب أو منتجات ال حليب وفقا 
للمتطلبات الخليجية وفي منشأه خاضعة للرقابة من قبل 
الجهة الرقابية المختصة، وتطبق نظام إدارة سلامة الغذاء 
استنادا إلى مبادئ نظام الهاسب أو  ما يماثله . The milk/milk product was handled in accordance 
with the GCC requirements, at an establishment 
that has been subjected to inspections by the 
Competent Authority and implements a food safety 
management system based on HACCP principles or 
an equivalent system.  
تم تطبيق الممارسات البيطرية الجيدة في استخدام الأدوية  
البيطرية (بما فيها محفزات النمو ) والكيماويات الزراعية 
في الحيوانات الحية، وإن أية متبقيات في ال حليب أو 
منتجات الحليب متوافقة مع المتطلبات الخليجية. Good veterinary practice has been applied in use of 
veterinary medicines (including growth hormones) 
and agriculture chemicals in live animals and any 
residues in milk or milk product comply with GCC 
requirements.  
 
 
Health Certificate for Export of Table  Eggs and Egg Products  
 
إن البيض أو منتجات البيض مطابقة للمتطلبات الخليجية . The eggs/ products are in conformity with the 
existing GCC requirements.  
إن مصدر البيض أو منتجات البيض مطابق لمعايير الصلاحية
للاستهلاك الآدمي المحددة بواسطة المنظمة الدولية لصحة  
الحيوان. 
 The source of eggs/egg products shall meet OIE 
criteria which related to fitness for human 
consumption . 
تم إجراء عمليات تداول البيض أو منتجات البيض وفقا 
للمتطلبات الخليجية وفي منشأه خاضعة للرقابة من قبل الجهة 
الرقابية المختصة، وتطبق نظام إدارة سلامة الغذاء استنادا إلى 
مبادئ نظام الهاسب أو  ما يماثله. 
 The eggs/egg products were handled in 
accordance with the GCC requirements, at an 
establishment that has been subjected to 
inspections by the Competent Authority and 
implements a food safety manage ment system 
based on HACCP principles or an equivalent 
system.  
  
أن مصدر البيض من طيور لم يتم تغذيتها بالبروتين الحيواني
المصَنع، باستثناء تلك من الأسماك، ووفقاً للمتطلبات الخليجية.  Eggs have not been derived from birds fed with 
processed animal protein, excluding fish meal 
according to the GCC requirements.   
 
  
                                                           
12  Dairy terms  means names, designations, symbols, pictorial or other devices which refer to or are suggestive, dire ctly 
or indirectly, of milk or milk products  (CAC STAN 206 -1999).  
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Health Certificate for Export of Products of Aquatic Animal Origin13 (including Fish 
and fish Products , molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms ) 
إن المنتجات البحرية ذات ألأصل الحيواني مطابقة للمتطلبات
الخليجية.  The products of aquatic animal origin are in 
conformity with the existing GCC requirements.  
 
إن مصدر المنتجات البحرية ذات الأصل الحيواني من فصائل
غير سامة ولا تُسبب أي علامات مرضية.  The products of aquatic animal origin are derived 
from non toxic species that do not cause any sign 
of disease.  
في حال تربية الأحياء البحرية ذات الأصل الحيواني ضمن 
مزارع أو مناطق إنتاج بحرية، فان هذه المناطق خاضعة 
للرقابة على المتطلبات الصحية من قبل الجهة الرقابية 
المختصة. Where  aquatic animals are grown in farms or 
aquaculture production areas, hygiene 
requirements are under the control of the 
Competent Authority.  
إن المنتجات البحرية ذات الأصل الحيواني مطابقة لمعايير 
الصلاحية للاستهلاك الآدمي المحددة بواسطة المنظمة الدولية  
لصحة الحيوان.  The products of aquatic animal origin shall meet 
OIE criteria which related to fitness for human 
consumption.   
 
تم تغذية الأحياء البحرية ذات الأصل الحيواني على أعلاف 
 صنعت وفقا لمتطلبات الت صنيع الجيد ونظام تحليل المخاطر 
والتحكم بالنقاط الحرجة  او ما يكافؤه  وخالية من أية ملوثات 
فيزياوية او كيميائية أو بيولوجية محظورة دولية. The aquatic animals have been fed from feed that 
is produced in compliance with GMP & HACCP 
principles  or its equivalen t and is free from any 
physical, chemical or   biological contaminants that 
are prohibited internationally.  
لم يتم تغذية الأحياء البحرية ذات الأصل الحيواني المستزرعة
على بروتين حيواني، باستثناء مسحوق السمك شريطة ان لا 
يكون من أسماك مستزرعة من نفس الجنس.   The cultured aquatic animals have not been fed 
with feed containing animal protein excluding fish 
meal from different species than the cultured one.  
تم إجراء عمليات تداول المنتجات البحرية ذات الأصل 
الحيواني وفقا للمتطلبات الخليجية وفي منشأه خاضعة للرقابة 
من قبل الجهة الرقابية المختصة، وتطبق نظام إدارة سلامة 
الغذاء استنادا إلى مبادئ نظام الهاسب أو  ما يماثله. The products of aquatic animal origin were 
handled in accordance with the GCC requirements, 
at an establishment that has been subjected to 
inspection by the Competent Authority and 
implements a food safety management system 
based on HACCP principles or an equivalent 
system.  
 
Phytosanitary Certificate for Export  of Plant and Plant products  
 
تصادق هذه الشهادة على أن النباتات والمنتجات النباتية أو
المواد الأخرى المذكورة هنا قد تم فحصها و/أو اختبارها  
وفقا للإجراءات المعتمدة المناسبة ووجدت خالية من آفات 
الحجر الزراعي التي حددها البلد المستورد، وتتفق مع 
الوضع الحالي لمتطلبات الصحة النباتية لدى دول مجلس 
التعاون الخليجي، بما في ذلك تلك الآفات غير الحجرية 
الخاضعة للوائح. This is to certify that the plants, plant products or 
other regulated articles described herein  have 
been inspected and/or tested according to 
appropriate official procedures , and are considered 
to be free from the quarantine pests specified by 
the importing country  and to conform with the 
current phytosanitary requirements of the GCC 
countries , inc luding those for regulated non -
quarantine pests.   
                                                           
13 Aquatic Animals  means all life stages (including eggs and gametes) of fish, molluscs, crustaceans and 
amphibians originating from aquaculture establishments or removed from the wild, for  human 
consumption.  (Aquatic Animal Health Code -2012 -OIE)  English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
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6.3. Halal Certificate/Halal Slaughter ing Certificate  
Verification14 of the Halal certificate/Halal slaughtering certificate must be undertaken 
for all relevant consignments of food. In the case of meat and  meat products, the 
Muslim agency15 (Societies  and Islamic councils ) in the exporting country that 
approved by the GCC  will supervise the slaughter process and provide documentation 
according to GCC requirements.    
 
Where meat  is manufactured in a country different to the origin of that meat, the 
competent authority in the country of manufacture must provide certification that the 
meat used in the manufacturing is the same as that described in the original Halal 
slaughtering certificate provided by the country of dispatch .  
  
Attestations set forth below must be recorded under the standardized form for Hal al 
certificate and Halal slaughtering certificate  as listed in (Appendix 3):   
 
 
Halal Slaughtering Certificate for Export of Meat and Meat Products  
 
تم الذبح بمسلخ مجاز من قبل الجهات المختصة بدول 
المجلس وتحت إشراف هيئة إسلامية مصرحة من قبل 
الجهات المختصة بدول مجلس التعاون الخليجي  
وبحضور مفوضها، وذلك باستخدام السكين وبأيدي 
قصابين مسلمين وفي مكان لا يسمح فيه بذبح الخنازير.  Slaughtering has occurred in  an approved 
slaughterhouse and under the supervision of the 
designated Islamic Agency which has been approved 
by the concerned authorities in the GCC and in 
presence of the Islamic Agency representative, by 
Muslim butchers using the knife and in a place w here 
swine is not permitted to be slaughtered.  
أن منشأ اللحوم الطازجة(مبردة او مجمدة ) من دولة 
ومسلخ مسموح لهما التصدير إلى دول مجلس التعاون 
الخليجي و مصدرها حيوانات حلال. 
 The fresh meat (chilled or frozen)originated from a 
country and an establishment that is authorized to 
export Halal meat to GCC; and the animal source16 is 
Halal.  
  
                                                           
14 GCC joint team that conducts audits at the various countries in collaboration with the Islamic associations at the 
countries of origin and publish list of approved Halal slaughterhouses.  
15 Muslim Agencies (Islamic associations) to be in compliance with the GSO standard No 2055/2010, The previously 
approved Halal slaughterhouses and Islamic  associations  at the countries of origin are automatically eligible to 
certify Halal products for export  to all the GCC member countries. List of approved slaughterhouses and Islamic 
association will be updated as per harmonized requirements.     
16 The meaning of “the animal source is “Halal” is that the animal is permitted by the Islamic religion  to be 
consumed as food  according to  the relevant GSO technical regulations  which have mentioned the type s of the 
animals that are not permitted by Islamic religious to be eaten as food source such e.g. pork  Wild animals, toxic 
plants, genetically modified food products, alcohol….etc, and it is slaughtered as per the Islamic regulations (Halal)     English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
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Halal Certificate for Export of products of Meat Origin  
 
أنالأغذية  المحتوية على منتجات ذات أصل حيواني 
كالدهون ومشتقات اللحوم المستخدمة كأحد مكونات  
المواد الغذائية المصنعة (مثل الجيلاتين ) قد تم 
استخلاصها تحت إشراف هيئة إسلامية معتمدة من قبل 
الجهات المختصة لدول مجلس التعاون الخليجي في بلد  
الصنع بناءاً على شهادة الذبح الحلال الأصلية الصادرة 
من هيئة إسلامية معتمدة من قبل ال جهات المختصة لدول  
مجلس التعاون الخليجي في بلد المنشأ للحوم ، مع التأكيد 
على أن مشتقات اللحوم المستخدمة في التصنيع هي ذات 
اللحوم المذكورة بشهادة الذبح الحلال الأصلية.   Food Product of animal origin including fats & 
Meat derivatives (such as ge latin) used as one of 
the ingredients of the processed foods, have been 
extracted under the supervision of an Islamic 
Agency in the manufacturing country and 
approved by the GCC on the basis of the original 
Halal certificate of the slaughtered animals issu ed 
by an Islamic Agency approved by the GCC in 
the country of origin; assurance has been 
provided  that the meat and fat derivatives used in 
the food processing are the same ones covered by 
the original Halal certificates.   
 
 
7. Inspection and clearance of imported foods  
 
Steps in the inspection and clearance process for consignments of imported food are 
summarized in Annex 1. Inspection and clearance of consignments of imported food 
will be carried out according to GCC requirements and where relevant, th e principles 
and standards of relevant international organizations e.g.  Codex, OIE, IPPC  
 
7.1. Reserve notification  and detention of consignment  
 
Where a consignment of food is found to be non -compliant with GCC requirements, 
the Competent Authority will issue a reserve notification  that states the reason for the 
reservation and the product will be detained17 under official control.  
Situations where  consignments will be detained include:  
- Absence of a list of content s    
- Incompatibility of food items described in the certificate with those in the 
consignment . 
- Absence of original copy of required  health certificate  and/or reference 
number of electronic health certificate . 
- The required health certificate  being  dated before the production date of the 
food   
- The health certificate  being  issued after the date of shipment of the food   
- The food production date  being  before the date of the Halal slaughter 
certificate.    
                                                           
17 The detention/holding of food consignment does not necessarily result in rejection; yet, as GCC have 
no prior approval/registration system in place to approve countri es and associated manufacturers 
for certain food items, they have the right in such cases to retain the consignment under the custody 
of the Department of Customs until fully inspected by the concerned food safety authority officer. 
Further actions may inc lude, but are not limited to, extended sampling, request for/verification of 
information by the competent authority at the country of origin/dispatch.  
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- Absence of original copy of Halal slaughtering certificate with the imported 
meat or poultry consignments , and Halal certificate for the required food  as 
mentioned in section 3: Definitions .  
- Meat or m eat products produced in food establishments/slaughterhouses not 
listed/ approved by the GCC countries . 
- Broken or changed security seals/ locks prior to official inspection . 
- Evidence of any fraudulent certification.  
 
7.2. Temporary release  
 
Temporary release18 of a consignment may be allowed in the case of non -compliance 
with some import requirements not related to food safety, as long as the food is not 
beyond its use by date or banned. Arrangements for control during temporary release 
may include provision o f a financial security by the importer and a declaration that the 
consignment will only be released after official clearance.  
 
Temporary release of the consignment may be allowed , if the food is not spoiled, has 
not passed its shelf -life, or is not banned (nationally or internationally); the decision 
must be accompanied by a financial guarantee or written engagement not to dispose 
of the consignment until full release.  
 
Temporary release of the consignment may be allowed in the case of violations  that do 
not affect the safety of the food. In this case, the consignment must be appropriately 
handled and the decision accompanied by a financial guarantee or written 
engagement not to dispose of the consignment until full release , taking into account 
the consignments present in regional land/water.  
 
Where allowable under GCC requirements  for detained consignments, the importer  
may request:  
a. Additional in formation from the manufacturer/ supplier or the competent 
authority in country of origin and/or countr y of export  to support claims on the 
conformity of the product . 
b. Repeat laboratory analysis in an accredited laboratory and under official 
supervision of sample(s) that have been found non -compliant .   
c. Re-configuration of the consignment so as to meet GCC technical regulations  
d. Re-designation of the consignment as “not for human consumption . 
e. Re-export the consignment  
f. Destruction under the supervision of the competent authority  
 
 
                                                           
18 Temporary release refers to having the imported consignment under the custody of the food importer 
against an undertaken and/or financial guarantee where the consignment contents can be stored at 
the importer warehouses, yet it will be prohibited from being sold or consumed until complete 
rectification of the violation  (e.g. missing documents, extended sam pling). It is obvious that care 
would be taken by the importer to ensure the integrity and safety of the product during the custody 
period.    English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
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In case of non -provision of import documents, other than health or Halal certificates, 
the consignment may be detained under financial security, signed undertaken or 
temporary release for of 15 days, or other suitable period determined by competent 
authori ty until the relevant documentation is provided.  In case of non -provision of 
import documents within the specified timeframe, the importer will be required to 
return the consignment to the country of origin or other country as per international 
trade guid elines .  
 
The Competent Authority reserves the right to take all temporary precautionary 
measures on the consignment to protect consumers’ health19  (i.e. lack of sufficient 
scientific evidence)  including rejection and/or  re-export of the consignment.    
 
7.3. Automatically detained food  
Food is automatically detained under the custody of the import ing country  /Customs 
Department, where:    
-  Previous importations of the type of food have been repeatedly non -compliant  
- Foods are prohibited from entry to GCC  according to the competent authority 
decisions  in the GCC members . 
- The food has already been rejected by another country  
- Food from countries or regions subject to international health warnings.   
 
8. Food imported for non -commercial purposes  
 
Foods imported for non -commercial purposes are designated as:  
 Food of personal use - as determined by harmonized rules of the GCC countries  
 Food samples for scientific research that will not be used for human 
consumption .   
 Food promotion samples for non -commercial distribution for human 
consumption, accompanied by a health certificate and labeled with the term 
(free  sample)   
 Food samples for use in seasonal exhibitions and festivals where:  
-  the importer provides assurance as to the fitness of the food s for their 
intended purpose  
-  sale or distribution of the food is prohibited outside of or after the end of the 
event.  
 
Foods imported for non -commercial purposes are exempt from some of the imported 
food requirements in this guide, as stated in GCC technical regulations and standards. 
These foods may be sampled for laboratory examination to confirm fitness for purpose 
if deemed necessary by the competent authority . 
                                                           
19 The WTO SPS under article 5 -7 allows for temporary precautionary measures. The GCC is aware and 
keen not to abuse such right. However, the inclusion of the “precautionary” provision is necessary to 
deal with cases where scientific evidence is lacking, as means of protecting the consumer from any 
possible health risks . English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
23 | P a g e  
 
 
9. Food prohibited from importation on food safety grounds  
 
The following foods are prohibited from entry and will not be inspected:  
- Food not provided with food safety assurances by the competent authority in the 
country of origin/ country of dispatch . 
- Food from countries or regions subject to international health warnings20 
- Food reje cted by other countries on food safety grounds  where the decision of 
rejection provides  scientific evidence  or sufficient information to indicate that the 
food is not safe for human consumption21.  
- Food religiously forbidden  as per GSO technical regulations . (from food suitability 
perspective ).      
- Food with ingredients or additives that are not permitted  based on scientific evidence 
or GCC requirements  and international standards . 
- Food from wild animals and plants that are not permitted  base d on scientific 
evidence or GCC requirements and international  standards .   
- Food designated as prohibited for health reasons as notified by the GCC.    
 
 
Foods requiring special attention:  
 
The following foods require special attention22 during the inspection at the port of 
entry:  
- Foods entering the border crossing point for the first time  
- Foods not compliant with food safety sta ndards in the country of origin/ country of 
dispatch . 
- Foods with history of repeated violations of GCC food safety standards . 
- Foods rejected from other countries because of non-compliance with some import 
requirements not related to food safety . 
  
                                                           
20 The key international health -warning source on which GCC depend, are the INFOSAN, OIE, in addition 
to warnings and alerts from regional networks. Meanwhile, GCC is currently working on deve loping 
its regional rapid alert system between the competent authorities of the member countries to 
ensure rapid and responsive information sharing and management .   
 
 21 GCC (being the importing countries) legal requirements supersede other requirements, w hile in line 
with Codex, OIE and IPPC, relevant to food safety and suitability (i.e. Halal)  
 
22 The “special attention” procedures include, but  are not limited to, higher inspection, detention, 
extended laboratory analysis and information request/verificati on from the competent authority at 
the country of origin/dispatch  
 English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
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10. Prohibition of importation of foods on sanitary or phytosa nitary grounds  
 
Any consignment of imported food may be prohibited23 from importation on sanitary 
or Phytosanitary grounds so as to protect the life and health of humans, animals, 
plants and the environment, as deemed appropriate by the countries of the GCC.    
 
Any such ban is subject to the following provisions:  
 Imposing  and l ifting of the prohibition will be based on scientific evidence and 
reference to international standard -setting bodies and other international 
authorities .   
 Any prohibition or lifting of a prohibition by an individual country of the GCC 
will be reported immediately to the GCC secretariat and the GCC will confirm a 
harmonized decision as soon as practicably possible  
 While the GCC will strive for a harmonized approach to imposing and lifting a 
ban, each GCC country reserves the right to impose or lift a pro hibition on an 
individual basis. Other countries of the GCC will ensure that the prohibited 
foods will not enter that individual country.  
 The GCC countries will only publish official statements on such matters after 
the decision to ban or lift a ban has be en agreed  upon  and the statements will 
be in the form of official statement s from  the GCC secretariat or individual 
country(s) which issued the prohibition .   
 
                                                           
23 Banning food is based on scientific evidence and referenced to international standard setting bodies.   
      The GCC are keen, as all countries, to protect their consumers in case of reported 
incidents/emergency cases and provide harmonized management response plan and consistent with 
the international published ale rts. In addition , all bans decisions will be notified to WTO/SPS secretaries.  
 English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
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Appendix (1)  
 GCC Imported food Control 
procedures  Flow Chart  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
26 | P a g e  
 
Flowchart - Control procedures on imported food 
across GCC countries  Borders
Food consignment arrives to the border port of the importing country
Importer arranges for customs declaration by filling appropriate form manually or 
electronically
Define Inspection type for food by the 
competent authority according to risk- based approach
Complete information for  each food item in the consignment and review the consignment 
associated Health certificates and documents Importer submit all required information, documents & certificates
Physical inspection and sensory examination 
for the food consignment (according to the 
percentage and frequency of inspection in 
each country)- Either accepts an undertaking to complete the 
documents and certificates
- Or detention of the consignment until the 
completion of the documents and certificatesCompliantNon- 
Compliant
Sampling and laboratory 
analysisCompliant Non- 
Compliant-Either detention of the consignment & sampling 
for laboratory analysis
- Or reject the consignment and request re- 
export/ disposition
CompliantNon- 
CompliantRejecting the consignment & requesting re-
export/ disposition
Documenting the results & final signature on the 
form by authorized food inspector
Consignment release
Documenting the results & final signature on the form by authorized 
food inspectorFor electronic certificate- 
Follow up in e-cert. office 
with the number of 
certificate issued from 
authorized entity in country 
of originEnglish Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
27 | P a g e  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Appendix (2)  
Health certificates Forms  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
28 | P a g e  
 
- Health certificate for export of processed food  
الشهادة صحية  لتصدير الأغذية المصنعة إلى دول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية   
Health Certificate for Export of Processed Food  
 Products to GCC  Countries  
  
الرقم المرجعي للشهادة الصحية Certificate Reference No.  I.2 المرسل(المصدر ) Consignor (Exporter)  I.1 
مكان الإصدار Place of Issue   الاسم Name   
تاريخ الإصدار Date of Issue   العنوان Address   
      
      
      
      
الجهة الرقابية المختصة  Competent/Certifying Authority  1.3 المرسل إليه(المستورد ) Consignee (importer)  I.4 
العنوان  Address   الاسم Name   
      
رمز الأيزو  ISO code*  بلد المنشأ  Country of origin  I.5 العنوان Address   
        
        
رمز الأيزو  ISO code*  بلد الوصول  Country of 
Destination  I.6    
        
        
الشركة المعبأة(إن وجد )  Packing Est. (if applicable)  I.8 الشركة الصانعة Producer . I.7 
      
الاسم Name   الاسم Name   
      
العنوان Address   العنوان Address   
      
شهادة الحلال 
 I.9 Halal Certificate   
رقم الشهادة Certificate  No:                مصدرها: Source:                             
      
بلد المغادرة/موقع التحميل  Border of Loading/Country of 
Dispatch  I.11 بلد الوصول/منفذ الدخول  Border of Entry/Country of 
Destination  I.10 
      
      
الرقم التعريفي/هوية وسيلة النقل Vehicle Identification No.  I.13 وسيلة النقل  Means of transport/conveyance  I.12 
   جوي  By Air   
       
درجة حرارة حفظ المادة الغذائية Temperature of Food product  I.14 بحري  By Sea   
       
درجة حرارة الغرفة Ambient   بري  By Road   
مبرد Chilled       
مجمد Frozen       
  تم ترخيص البضائع لاستخدامها في:  Commodities Certified for : I.15 
الاستهلاك الآدمي مباشرة:                   Human Consumption  Directl y:  بعد معالجة إضافية        After Further Process       أخرى          Other   
توصيفوتصنيف الأغذية  Identification of the Food Products  I.16 
Total Weight   Batch /Lot 
No.24 No Packages  Expiry Date  Production Date  Brand Name  Treatment Type  HS-Code  Name & Description of 
Food   
الوزن الكلي  رقم 
التشغيلة/الدفعة  عدد الطرود  تاريخ الانتهاء  تاريخ الإنتاج  العلامة التجارية  نوع المعالجة   بند التعرفة 
الجمركية  اسم ووصف المادة الغذائية  
الإفادة الصحية  Health  Attestation  I.17 
إن المنتج الغذائي مطابقا للمتطلبات الخليجية.   Food product is in conformity with the existing GCC requirements.    
تم إجراء عمليات تداول للمنتجات الغذائية وفقا للمتطلبات الخليجية وفي منشأه غذائية خاضعة
للرقابة من قبل الجهة الرقابية المختصة و/ او الجهة المخولة رسميا، وتطبق نظام إدارة 
سلامة الغذاء استنادا إلى مبادئ نظام الهاسب أو ما يماثله. The food product(s) was handled in accordance with the GCC 
requirements, at an establishment that has been subjected to 
inspections by the competent authority and/or officially recognized 
body and implements a food safety management system based on 
HACCP principles or an equivale nt system .    
أنا الموقـع أدنـاه المسئول المختص أفيد بأن البضاعـة الواردة أوصافها أعـلاه تستوفي جميع
الشروط الصحية الواردة في الشهادة. I the undersigned, authorized person, certify that the good described 
above meets all the requirements mentioned in this  certificate.   
الجهة الرسمية المختصة المخولة بالتوقيع  Responsible body for signature   
الختم الرسمي  Official Stamp25  
  الاسم Name   
     
التاريخ  Date  الوظيفة  Position   
     
     
 
 
 
                                                           
24 This information is necessary for traceab ility and in case of food recall. The manufacturer can initially 
fill in the information to be completed and issued by the competent authority in the country of origin. 
In the GCC, Traceability is a requirement (one step forward - one step backward) inclusi ve of the key 
information provided  by the food business across the food chain, noting that the requirements are to 
ensure capacity for trace back which may be different in the domestic versus trade situation.  
25 The official stamp requirement can be waived provided that alternative means to guarantee the 
authentication of the health certificate and prevent possible forgery.  Logo  English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
29 | P a g e  
 
- Health Certificate for Export of Meat and Meat Products  
الشهادة صحية لتصدير اللحوم و منتجاتها إلى دول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية   Health Certificate for Export of Meat  
 and Meat Products  to GCC Countries  
الرقم المرجعي للشهادة الصحية Certificate Reference No.  I.2 المرسل(المصدر ) Consignor (Exporter)  I.1 
مكان الإصدار Place of Issue   الاسم Name   
تاريخ الإصدار Date of Issue   العنوان Address   
      
      
الجهة الرقابية المختصة  Competent/Certifying Authority  1.3 المرسل إليه(المستورد ) Consignee (importer)  I.4 
العنوان  Address   الاسم Name   
      
رمز الأيزو  ISO code*  بلد المنشأ  Country of origin  I.5 العنوان Address   
        
        
رمز الأيزو  ISO code*  بلد الوصول  Country of 
Destination  I.6    
        
        
الشركة المعبأة(إن وجد )  Packing Est. (if applicable)  I.8 الشركة الصانعة/المسلخ  Producer/Slaughterhouse Est.  I.7 
      
الاسم Name   الاسم Name   
      
العنوان Address   العنوان Address   
      
شهادةالذبح الحلال  
 I.9 Halal Slaughtering Certificate26  
رقم الشهادة Certificate  No:                مصدرها: Source:                             
      
بلد المغادرة/موقع التحميل  Border of Loading/Country of 
Dispatch  I.11 بلد الوصول/منفذ الدخول  Border of Entry/Country of 
Destination  I.10 
      
      
الرقم التعريفي/هوية وسيلة النقل  Vehicle Identification No.  I.13 وسيلة النقل  Means of transport/conveyance  I.12 
   جوي  By Air   
       
درجة حرارة حفظ المادة الغذائية Temperature of Food product  I.14 بحري  By Sea   
       
درجة حرارة الغرفة Ambient   بري  By Road   
مبرد Chilled       
مجمد Frozen       
  تم ترخيص البضائع لاستخدامها في:  Commodities Certified for : I.15 
الاستهلاك الآدمي مباشرة:                   Human Consumption  Directl y:  بعد معالجة إضافية        After Further Process       أخرى          Other   
توصيف وتصنيف الأغذية  Identification of the Food Products  I.16 
Total Weight   Batch /Lot No. No Packages  Expiry Date  Production Date  Brand Name  Treatment Type  HS-Code  Name & Description of Food  
 الوزن الكلي  رقم 
التشغيلة/الدفعة  عدد الطرود  تاريخ الانتهاء  تاريخ الإنتاج  العلامة التجارية  نوع المعالجة   بند التعرفة 
الجمركية  اسم ووصف المادة الغذائية  
الإفادة الصحية  Health Attestation  I.17 
إن اللحوم أو منتجات اللحوم مطابقة للمتطلبات الخليجية.  The meat/meat product is in conformity with the existing GCC 
requirements.   
إن مصدر اللحوم مطابق لمعايير الصلاحية للاستهلاكالآدمي المحددة بواسطة المنظمة الدولية  
لصحة الحيوان (OIE.) The source of meat shall meet OIE criteria which related to fitness for 
human consumption.   
تم ذبح الحيوانات في مسلخ مرخص ومعتمد من قبل الجهات المختصة  في دول المجلس وتحت 
إشراف الجهة الرقابية المختصة للدولة المصدرة.   Animals have been slaughtered in a slaughterhouse that is approved 
by the GCC authorities and is under the supervision of the Competent 
Authority of exporting country   
أن اللحوم منتجة من حيوانات خضعت للفحص قبل الذبح وبعده من قبل الجهة الرقابية المختصة
وذلك وفقاً لمتطلبات الخليجية. The meat is produced from animals that have been subjected to ante -
mortem and post - mortem inspection by the Competent Authority, in 
accordanc e with GCC requirements.   
تم إجراء عمليات تداولاللحوم ومنتجاتها  وفقا للمتطلبات الخليجية وفي منشأه خاضعة للرقابة من 
قبل الجهة الرقابية المختصة، و تطبق نظام إدارة سلامة الغذاء استنادا إلى مبادئ نظام الهاسب أو 
ما يماثله.  The meat and/or meat product was ha ndled in accordance with the 
GCC requirements, at an establishment that has been subjected to 
inspections by the Competent Authority and implements a food safety 
management system based on HACCP principles or an equivalent 
system.   
تم تطبيق الممارساتالبيطرية الجيدة في استخدام الأدوية البيطرية  (بما فيها محفزات النمو ) 
والكيماويات الزراعية في الحيوانات الحية، وا ن أية متبقيات في اللحوم متوافقة مع المتطلبات 
الخليجية. Good veterinary practice has been applied in use  of veterinary 
medicines (including growth  hormones) and agriculture chemicals in 
live animals, and any residues in meat comply with GCC requirements.   
أن مصدر اللحومومنتجاتها حيوانات لم يتم ذبحها بقصد القضاء على الأمراض أو التحكم فيها . The meat/meat product originates from animals that have not  been 
slaughtered for the purpose of disease eradication  /control   
أن مصدر اللحومومنتجاتها حيوانات لم يتم تغذيتها بالبروتين الحيواني المصَنع، باستثناء تلك من 
الأسماك، ووفقاً للمتطلبات الخليجية. The meat/meat product has not been derived from animals fed with 
processed animal protein, excluding fish meal, according to the GCC 
requirements.   
الجهة الرسمية المختصة المخولة بالتوقيع  Responsible body for signature   
الختم الرسمي  Official Stamp .  
التاريخ  Date  الاسم والوظيفة  Name  & Position   
     
                                                           
26 Halal certificate serial number is issued by Halal certifiers (Islamic association)   Logo  English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
30 | P a g e  
 
- Health Certificate for Export of (milk, and Milk Products) 27 
الشهادة صحية لتصدير الألبان ومنتجاتها إلى دول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية   
Health Certificate for Export of Milk , and Milk Products   
 To GCC Countries   
الرقم المرجعي للشهادة الصحية Certificate Reference No.  I.2 المرسل(المصدر ) Consignor (Exporter)  I.1 
مكان الإصدار Place of Issue   الاسم Name   
تاريخ الإصدار Date of Issue   العنوان Address   
      
      
      
      
الجهةالرقابية المختصة  Competent/Certifying Authority  1.3 المرسل إليه(المستورد ) Consignee (importer)  I.4 
العنوان  Address   الاسم Name   
      
رمز الأيزو  ISO code*  بلد المنشأ  Country of origin  I.5 العنوان Address   
        
        
رمز الأيزو  ISO code*  بلد الوصول  Country of 
Destination  I.6    
        
        
الشركة المعبأة(إن وجد )  Packing Est. (if applicable)  I.8 الشركة الصانعة Producer . I.7 
      
الاسم Name   الاسم Name   
      
العنوان Address   العنوان Address   
      
شهادة الحلاللمنتجات الالبان  
 I.9 Halal Certificate  for Dairy Products   
رقم الشهادة Certificate  No:                مصدرها: Source:                             
      
بلد المغادرة/موقع التحميل  Border of Loading/Country of 
Dispatch  I.11 بلد الوصول/منفذ الدخول  Border of Entry/Country of 
Destination  I.10 
      
      
الرقم التعريفي/هوية وسيلة النقل  Vehicle Identification No.  I.13 وسيلة النقل  Means of transport/conveyance  I.12 
   جوي  By Air   
       
درجة حرارة حفظ المادة الغذائية Temperature of Food product  I.14 بحري  By Sea   
       
درجة حرارة الغرفة Ambient   بري  By Road   
مبرد Chilled       
مجمد Frozen       
  تم ترخيص البضائع لاستخدامها في:  Commodities Certified for : I.15 
الاستهلاك الآدمي مباشرة:                   Human Consumption  Directl y:  بعد معالجة إضافية        After Further Process       أخرى          Other   
توصيف وتصنيف الأغذية  Identification of the Food Products  I.16 
Total Weight   Batch /Lot No. No Packages  Expiry Date  Production Date  Brand Name  Treatment Type  HS-Code  Name & Description of 
Food   
الوزن الكلي  رقم 
التشغيلة/الدفعة  عدد الطرود  تاريخ الانتهاء  تاريخ الإنتاج  العلامة التجارية  نوع المعالجة   بند التعرفة 
الجمركية  اسم ووصف المادة الغذائية  
الإفادة الصحية  Health Attestation  I.17 
إن الحليب أو منتجات الحليب مطابقة للمتطلبات الخليجية.  The milk/milk product is in conformity with the existing GCC 
requirements   
أن مصدر الحليب أو منتجات الحليب حيوانات سليمة وخاضعة للفحص البيطري من قبل 
الجهة الرقابية المختصة ومتوافقة مع المتطلبات الخليجية. The milk /milk product has been derived from healthy animals that 
are subject to the official veterinary service inspections and are 
compliant with GCC requir ements .  
تم إجراء عمليات تداول ال حليب أو منتجات ال حليب وفقا للمتطلبات الخليجية وفي منشأه 
خاضعة للرقابة من قبل الجهة الرقابية المختصة، وتطبق نظام إدارة سلامة الغذاء استنادا إلى 
مبادئ نظام الهاسب أو  ما يماثله . The milk/milk product was handled in accordance with the GCC 
requirements, at an establishment that has been subjected to 
inspections by the Competent Authority and implements a food 
safety management system based on HACCP principles or an 
equivalent system.   
تم تطبيق الممارسات البيطريةالجيدة في استخدام الأدوية البيطرية  (بما فيها محفزات النمو ) 
والكيماويات الزراعية في الحيوانات الحية، وإن أية متبقيات في ال حليب أو منتجات الحليب 
متوافقة مع المتطلبات الخليجية. Good veterinary practice has been applied in use of veterinary 
medicines (includin g growth hormones) and agriculture chemicals in 
live animals and any residues in milk or milk product comply with 
GCC requirements.   
الجهة الرسمية المختصة المخولة بالتوقيع  Responsible body for signature   
الختم الرسمي  Official Stamp .  
  الاسم Name   
     
التاريخ  Date  الوظيفة  Position   
     
     
 
 
 
 
                                                           
27 Dairy terms  means names, designations, symbols , pictorial or other devices which refer to or are suggestive, 
directly or indirectly, of milk or milk products  (CAC STAN 206 -1999).  
 Logo  English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
31 | P a g e  
 
- Health Certificate for Export of Table Eggs and Egg Products  
الشهادة صحية لتصدير بيض المائدة ومنتجاته المعدة للاستهلاك الآدمي  إلى دول 
مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية  Health Certificate for Export of Table Eggs and  
Egg Products to GCC Countries  
  
الرقم المرجعي للشهادة الصحية Certificate Reference No.  I.2 المرسل(المصدر ) Consignor (Exporter)  I.1 
مكان الإصدار Place of Issue   الاسم Name   
تاريخ الإصدار Date of Issue   العنوان Address   
      
      
      
      
الجهة الرقابية المختصة  Competent/Certifying Authority  1.3 المرسل إليه(المستورد ) Consignee (importer)  I.4 
العنوان  Address   الاسم Name   
      
رمز الأيزو  ISO code*  بلد المنشأ  Country of origin  I.5 العنوان Address   
        
        
رمز الأيزو  ISO code*  بلد الوصول  Country of 
Destination  I.6    
        
        
الشركة المعبأة(إن وجد )  Packing Est. (if applicable)  I.8 الشركة الصانعة Producer . I.7 
      
الاسم Name   الاسم Name   
      
العنوان Address   العنوان Address   
      
      
بلد المغادرة/موقع التحميل  Border of Loading/Country of 
Dispatch  I.10 بلد الوصول/منفذ الدخول  Border of Entry/Country of 
Destination  I.9 
      
      
الرقم التعريفي/هوية وسيلة النقل  Vehicle Identification No.  I.12 وسيلة النقل  Means of transport/conveyance  I.11 
   جوي  By Air   
       
درجة حرارة حفظ المادةالغذائية  Temperature of Food product  I.13 بحري  By Sea   
       
درجة حرارة الغرفة Ambient   بري  By Road   
مبرد Chilled       
مجمد Frozen       
  تم ترخيص البضائع لاستخدامها في:  Commodities Certified for : I.14 
الاستهلاك الآدمي مباشرة:                   Human Consumption  Directl y:  بعد معالجة إضافية        After Further Process       أخرى          Other   
توصيف وتصنيف الأغذية  Identification of the Food Products  I.15 
Total Weight   Batch /Lot No. No Packages  Expiry Date  Production Date  Brand Name  Treatment 
Derived from 
(Domestic flow, 
other birds)  HS-Code  Name & Description of 
Food  
 
الوزن الكلي  رقم 
التشغيلة/الدفعة  عدد الطرود  تاريخ الانتهاء  تاريخ الإنتاج  العلامة التجارية  البضاعة ناتجة من 
(طيور داجنة، طيور  
اخرى)   بند التعرفة 
الجمركية  اسم ووصف المادة الغذائية  
الإفادة الصحية  Health Attestation  
 I.16 
إن البيض أو منتجات البيض مطابقة للمتطلبات الخليجية . The eggs/egg products are in conformity with the existing GCC 
requirements.   
إن مصدر البيض أو منتجات البيض مطابق لمعايير الصلاحيةللاستهلاك الآدمي المحددة  
بواسطة المنظمة الدولية لصحة الحيوان(OIE.) The source of eggs/egg products shall meet OIE criteria which 
related to fitness for human consumption .  
تم إجراء عمليات تداول البيض أو منتجات البيض وفقا للمتطلبات الخليجية وفي منشأه 
خاضعة للرقابة من قبل الجهة الرقابية المختصة، وتطبق نظام إدارة سلامة الغذاء استنادا إلى 
مبادئ نظام الهاسب أو  ما يماثله. 
 The eggs/egg products were handled in accordance with the GCC 
requirements, at an establishment that has been subjected to 
inspections by th e Competent Authority and implements a food 
safety management system based on HACCP principles or an 
equivalent system.   
أن مصدر البيض من طيور لم يتم تغذيتها بالبروتين الحيواني المصَنع، باستثناء تلك من
الأسماك، ووفقاً للمتطلبات الخليجية.  Eggs have not been derived from birds fed with processed animal 
protein, excluding fish meal according to the GCC requirements.    
الجهة الرسمية المختصة المخولة بالتوقيع  Responsible body for signature   
الختم الرسمي  Official Stamp .  
  الاسم Name   
     
التاريخ  Date  الوظيفة  Position   
     
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Health Certificate for Export of Products of Aquatic Animal Origin  (Fish and fish 
Products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms) 28 
الشهادة صحية لتصدير المنتجات البحرية ذات أصل حيواني   إلى دول مجلس التعاون 
لدول الخليج العربية 
  Health Certificate for Export of Products  
 of Aquatic Animal Origin  
الرقم المرجعي للشهادة الصحية Certificate Reference No.  I.2 المرسل(المصدر ) Consignor (Exporter)  I.1 
مكان الإصدار Place of Issue   الاسم Name   
تاريخ الإصدار Date of Issue   العنوان Address   
      
      
      
      
الجهة الرقابية المختصة  Competent/Certifying Authority  1.3 المرسل إليه(المستورد ) Consignee (importer)  I.4 
العنوان  Address   الاسم Name   
      
رمز الأيزو  ISO code*  بلد المنشأ  Country of origin  I.5 العنوان Address   
        
        
رمز الأيزو  ISO code*  بلد الوصول  Country of 
Destination  I.6    
        
        
الشركة المعبأة(إن وجد )  Packing Est. (if applicable)  I.8 الشركة الصانعة Producer . I.7 
      
الاسم Name   الاسم Name   
      
العنوان Address   العنوان Address   
      
      
بلد المغادرة/موقع التحميل  Border of Loading/Country of 
Dispatch  I.10 بلد الوصول/منفذ الدخول  Border of Entry/Country of 
Destination  I.9 
      
      
الرقم التعريفي/هوية وسيلة النقل  Vehicle Identification No.  I.12 وسيلة النقل  Means of transport/conveyance  I.11 
   جوي  By Air   
       
درجة حرارة حفظ المادةالغذائية  Temperature of Food product  I.13 بحري  By Sea   
       
درجة حرارة الغرفة Ambient   بري  By Road   
مبرد Chilled       
مجمد Frozen       
  تم ترخيص البضائع لاستخدامها في:  Commodities Certified for : I.14 
الاستهلاك الآدمي مباشرة:                   Human Consumption  Directl y:  بعد معالجة إضافية        After Further Process       أخرى          Other   
توصيف وتصنيف الأغذية  Identification of the Food Products  I.15 
Total Weight   Batch /Lot No. No Packages  Expiry Date  Production Date  Brand Name  Treatment 
Derived from 
(Domestic flow, 
other birds)  HS-Code  Name & Description of 
Food  
 
الوزن الكلي  رقم 
التشغيلة/الدفعة  عدد الطرود  تاريخ الانتهاء  تاريخ الإنتاج  العلامة التجارية  البضاعة ناتجة من 
(طيور داجنة، طيور  
اخرى)   بند التعرفة 
الجمركية  اسم ووصف المادة الغذائية  
الإفادة الصحية  Health Attestation  I.16 
إنمنتجات الأحياء  البحرية ذات ألأصل الحيواني مطابقة للمتطلبات الخليجية.  The products of aquatic animal origin are in conformity with the 
existing GCC requirements.  
  
إن مصدرمنتجات  الأحياء البحرية ذات الأصل الحيواني من فصائل غير سامة ولا تُسبب أي 
علامات مرضية. The products of aquatic animal origin are derived from non toxic 
species that do not cause any sign of disease.   
في حال تربية الأحياء البحرية ذات الأصل الحيواني ضمن مزارع أومناطق إنتاج بحرية،  
فان هذه المناطق خاضعة للرقابة على المتطلبات الصحية من قبل الجهة الرقابية المختصة. Where  aquatic animals are grown in farms or aquaculture production 
areas, hygiene requirements are under the control of the Competent 
Authority.   
إنمنتجات الأحياء  البحرية ذات الأصل الحيواني مطابقة لمعايير الصلاحية للاستهلاك 
الآدمي المحددة بواسطة المنظمة الدولية لصحة الحيوان (OIE .) The products of aquatic animal origin shall meet OIE criteria which 
related to fitness for human consumption.   
  
تم تغذية الأحياء البحرية ذات الأصل الحيواني على أعلاف صنعت وفقا لمتطلبات التصنيع 
الجيد ونظام تحليل المخاطر والتحكم بالنقاط الحرجة  او ما يكافؤه  وخالية من أية ملوثات 
فيزياوية او كيميائية أو بيولوجية محظورة دولية. The aquatic animals have been fed from fee d that is produced in 
compliance with GMP & HACCP principles  or its equivalent and is 
free from any physical, chemical or   biological contaminants that are 
prohibited internationally.   
لم يتم تغذية الأحياء البحرية ذات الأصل الحيواني المستزرعة على بروتين حيواني، باستثناء
مسحوق السمك شريطة ان لا يكون من أسماك مستزرعة من نفس الجنس.   The cultured aquatic animals have not been fed with feed containing 
animal protein excluding fish meal from different species than the 
cultured one.   
الجهة الرسمية المختصة المخولة بالتوقيع  Responsible body for signature   
الختم الرسمي  Official Stamp .  
  الاسم Name   
     
التاريخ  Date  الوظيفة  Position   
     
     
 
                                                           
28 Aquatic Animals  means all life stages (including eggs and gametes) of fish, molluscs, crustaceans and amphibians 
origin ating from  Logo  English Version (July 2014) النسخة الإنجليزية: يوليو 1024                                                             
 
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 Phytosanitary Certificate for Export of Plant and Plant products  
الشهادة الصحية النباتية للتصديرإلي دول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية  
Phytosanitary Certificate for Export To GCC Countries  
 
مكان الإصدار:     Place of Issue:                                                 
                        رقمالشهادة                                                       :Certificate No .  
From:  Plant Protection Organization Name :                      
من الجهة الرسميةلوقاية النبات في بلد المصدر  To: Plant Protection Organization Name :                          
إلى الجهة الرسمية لوقاية النبات في البلد المستورد  
 اسم وعنوان المستورد Name & Address of Consignee                 
  
جهة التصدير وعنوانهاName &  Address of Exporter              
 
نقطة الدخول                                           Point of Entry وسيلة النقل:                                  Mean of Transportation: 
وصف الشحنة          Description of Consignment   
الكمية المعلنة(كجم)  
Quantity 
Declared (kg)  جهة المنشأ  
Place of Origin  العلامات المميزة  
Distinguishing 
Marks  عدد الطرود ووصفها  
Number & 
Description of 
Packages  الأسماء العلمية للنبات  
Botanical Names of 
the Plant  
 اسم المنتج  
Name of 
Product  
 
المعاملة للتطهير من التلوث و/أو الإصابة                                                         Disinfestations and/or Disinfection Treatment 
الكيماويات(المادة الفعالة ) :           Chemical (active ingredient):                                                     المعالجة:                                                          Treatment :                             
درجة الحرارة:                                                        Temperature  التركيز:                                                           Concentration: 
التاريخ:                                                                 Date:                                                       معلومات أخرى:                        Additional Information:                                                           
 
Health Attestation   
الإفادة الصحية  
 
This is to certify that the plants, plant products or other 
regulated articles described herein have been inspected 
and/or tested according to appropriate official procedures, 
and are considered to be free from the quarantine pests 
specified by the importing country and to conform with the 
current phytosanitary requirements of the GCC countries, 
including those for regulated non -quarantine pests.  تصادق هذه الشهادة على أن النباتات والمنتجات النباتية أو المواد الأخرى 
المذكورة هنا قد تم فحصها و/أو اختبارها وفقا للإجراءات المعتمدة المناسبة  
ووجدت خالية من آفات الحجر الزراعي التي حددها البلد المستورد، وتتفق مع 
الوضع الحالي لمتطلبات الصحة النباتية لدى دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي، بما  
في ذلك تلك الآفات غير الحجرية الخاضعة للوائح. 
تاريخ الإصدار:          Date of Issue:    
 
                 اسم المختص:            Name of Authorized Officer:  
                                                              
التوقيع :                                                     Signature: 
         الختم:               Stamp:   
                 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Appendix (3)  
Halal Certificate/Halal 
Slaughtering Certificate Forms 
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 Halal certificate for  Export of products of Meat Origin  
  شهادة الحلال لمشتقات اللحوم في الأغذية المصنعة  
المصدرة  لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية  Halal Certificate for Meat Products in  
Processed Foods exporting to GCC Countries   
تفاصيل الشهادة Certificate details  1. 
مصدرها  Source  1.2 الرقم المرجعي للشهادة
الحلال Halal Certificate   
Reference No.  1.1 
   تاريخها Date:  1.3 
 
توصيف وتصنيف الأغذية المصنعة التي تحتوي على منتجات اللحوم  
Identification of the meat and processed foods containing meat Products  4 
Total Weight   Batch /Lot No. No 
Packages  Expiry 
Date  Slaughteri
ng Date  Brand 
Name  Source for 
meat and  
derivatives  Name & 
Description of 
Meat/Processed 
Food  
الوزن الكلي رقم التشغيلة/الدفعة  عدد الطرود تاريخ 
الانتهاء تاريخ الذبح العلامة 
التجارية مصدر اللحوم و 
مشتقاتها اسم ووصف المادة 
الغذائية 
       
 
 
إفادة الحلال                                                                                                                          Halal Attestations  
5 
أنالأغذية المحتوية على منتجات ذات أصل حيواني ك الدهون ومشتقات 
اللحوم المستخدمة كأحد مكونات المواد الغذائية المصنعة (مثل الجيلاتين ) 
قد تم استخلاصها تحت إشراف هيئة إسلامية معتمدة من قبل الجهات 
المختصة لدول مجلس التعاون الخليجي في بلد الصنع بناءاً على شهادة 
الذبح الحلال الأصلية الصادرة من هيئة إسلامية معتمدة من قبل ال جهات 
المختصة لدول مجلس التعاون الخليجي في بلد المنشأ للحوم ، مع التأكيد 
على أن مشتقات اللحوم المستخدمة في التصنيع هي ذات اللحوم المذكورة 
بشهادة الذبح الحلال الأصلية.  Fats & Meat derivatives (such as gelatin) used as one of 
the ingredients of the processed foods, have been 
extracted under the supervision of an Islamic Agency in 
the manufacturing country and approved by the GCC 
on the basis of the original Halal certificate of the 
slaughtered animals issued by an Islamic Agency 
approved by the G CC in the country of origin; assurance 
has been provided  that the meat and fat derivatives 
used in the food processing are the same ones covered 
by the original Halal certificates.   
  
 
 Responsible body for signature        الجهة الرسمية المختصة المخولة بالتوقيع                                        
  6 
الختم الرسمي   Official 
Stamp    الاسم Name   
التاريخ   Date   الوظيفة  Position   
     التوقيع  Signature   
 
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 Halal Slaughtering Certificate for Export of Meat and Meat Products  
نموذج شهادة الذبح الحلال للحوم  
المصدرة  لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية    
Halal Slaughtering Certificate for exporting  
to GCC Countries  
 
تفاصيل الشهادة Certificate details 1. 
مصدرها  Source  1.2 الرقم المرجعي للشهادة 
الذبح الحلال Halal Slaughtering  
Certificate   Reference No.  1.1 
تاريخها    Date:  1.3 
    المسلخ المرخص                                                                                       The Authorized slaughterhouse:                      2. 
عنوان المسلخ                  Address of  the Slaughterhouse  2.2 اسم المسلخ Name of  the  
Slaughterhouse  2.1 
اسم و عنوان الجهة
الرسمية المانحة 
للتصريح البيطري  Name and Address of 
Competent Authority Issuing the 
Veterinary Approval  2.4 رقم التصريح  البيطري Veterinary Approval No  2.3 
مركز تقطيع اللحوم المرخص                                                              Authorized Meat Cutting Establishment 3. 
عنوان مركز تقطيع اللحوم Address of Meat Cutting est.                   3.2 اسم مركز تقطيع اللحوم Name of  the Meat Cutting 
Establishment    3.1 
اسم و عنوان الجهة الرسمية 
المانحة للتصريح البيطري  Name and Address of 
Competent Authority Issuing 
the Veterinary Approval  3.4 رقم التصريح  البيطري Veterinary Approval No  3.3 
توصيف وتصنيفاللحوم و منتجاتها                                                                           Identification of the meat and meat Products 5. 
Total Weight   Batch /Lot No. No Packages  Expiry Date  Slaughtering 
Date Brand 
Name  Species (meat 
carcass/cats)  Name & 
Description of 
Meat/Processed 
Food  
الوزن الكلي  رقم التشغيلة/الدفعة  عدد الطرود  تاريخ الانتهاء  تاريخ الذبح  العلامة 
التجارية  الانواع )   ذبائح 
كاملة/ قطع )  اسم ووصف المادة 
الغذائية  
 
        
إفادة الذبح الحلال                                                                                      Halal Slaughtering Attestations   
6. 
تم الذبح بمسلخ مجاز من قبل الجهات المختصة بدول المجلس وتحت إشراف 
هيئة إسلامية مصرحة من قبل الجهات المختصة بدول مجلس التعاون الخليجي 
وبحضور مفوضها، وذلك باستخدام السكين وبأيدي قصابين مسلمين وفي مكان لا 
يسمح فيه بذبح الخنازير.  Slaughtering has occurred in an approved slaughterhouse and 
under the supervision of the designated Islamic Agency which 
has been approved by the concerned authorities in the GCC 
and in presence of the Islamic Agency representative, by 
Muslim butchers using the knife and in a place where swine is 
not permitted to be slaughtered.   
أن منشأ اللحوم الطازجة(مبردة او مجمدة ) من دولة ومسلخ مسموح لهما التصدير 
إلى دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي و مصدرها حيوانات حلال . The fresh meat (chilled or frozen) originated from a country 
and an establishment that is authorized to export Halal meat 
to GCC; and the animal source is Halal.29  
 Responsible body for signature                                                                                  الجهة الرسمية المختصة المخولة بالتوقيع                                                 
               7. 
الختم الرسمي   Official Stamp    الاسم Name   
التاريخ   Date   الوظيفة  Position   
     التوقيع  Signature   
 
 
 
                                                           
29 The meaning of “the animal source is “Halal” is that the animal is permitted by the Islamic religion to be 
consumed as food according to the relevant GSO technical regulations which have mentioned the types of the 
animals that are not permitte d by Islamic religious to be eaten as food source such e.g. pork  Wild animals, toxic 
plants, genetically modified food products, alcohol….etc, and it is slaughtered as per the Islamic regulations (Halal)    Logo