Indian spices for importers in Saudi Arabia

Import rules are set by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). Your Saudi importer confirms the current rules for each order, but these points come up again and again:

• The importer holds an SFDA account, and the food items are registered with the SFDA.
• Foreign food establishments that export to Saudi Arabia are registered with the SFDA.
• Labels carry Arabic text as a minimum, and the country of origin is marked; see the US Commercial Service labelling guide.
• A certificate of origin is required, and the invoice may need to be certified by the competent authority in the country of origin; your importer confirms the exact format.
• Depending on the food item, the SFDA may also ask for a Halal certificate. Bibhakar does not currently hold one, so confirm with your importer whether your product needs it.
• Some food categories, including spices from listed countries, go through the SFDA pre-shipment consignment certification programme run by appointed inspection bodies.

Saudi Arabia is not yet one of our active markets, so we confirm the SFDA registration steps with your importer before a first order is confirmed. Rules change, so treat this page as a checklist and not as legal advice.

Spices ship in bulk packs of 5, 10, 30 and 40 kg with a food-grade inner liner, palletised for export, or in PET jars of 10 to 500 g for retail. Brands in Saudi Arabia can also order private label jars from 5 kg per product, with Arabic labels or stickers on request.