← All guides

Guide

Importing food from Türkiye into the Gulf: registration, halal and labels

Lotvela · Gaziantep · Checked 28 October 2026

A Gulf buyer importing food from Türkiye needs each product registered, an Arabic label, and a commercial invoice, certificate of origin, health certificate, packing list and bill of lading, plus a halal certificate where the product or its label calls for one. The UAE registers food in its federal ZAD system through each emirate's food authority; in Saudi Arabia, the importer registers itself and each product on the SFDA's Ghad platform and clears through Fasah. Rules checked on 28 October 2026; confirm each with your clearing agent.

Trade agreements and duties

The Türkiye–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed on 3 March 2023 and entered into force on 1 September 2023. It removes or cuts duties on most tariff lines, not all; the UAE's CEPA page links a Market Access Dashboard showing the rate for each HS code. To claim it, the goods need a TR-UAE proof of origin, issued by the Turkish authorities on the exporter's application, or an origin declaration made out on the invoice by an approved exporter. Türkiye's Ministry of Trade announced that the UAE accepts these declarations from 1 March 2025. A proof of origin is valid for one year.

No free trade agreement is in force between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, or with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as a whole; the Ministry of Trade lists the GCC talks as ongoing. For Saudi duty rates, check your HS code in ZATCA's Integrated Tariff or ask your clearing agent.

United Arab Emirates

Registration

Under Ministerial Decree No. 239 of 2018, imported food must be registered in ZAD before it is handled in UAE markets, as must a product whose label, ingredients or composition changes. Registration runs through the emirate's food authority:

Halal

The UAE System for Control of Halal Products rests on Cabinet Resolution No. 10 of 2014 and is run by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). Halal certificates must come from certification bodies MoIAT has registered; it publishes the list. The food standard is UAE.S 2055-1, and the National Halal Mark is optional. Meat and poultry need an original halal slaughter certificate. For other foods, ask your agent whether your product or a halal claim on the label calls for a certificate.

Labels and attestation

MoIAT names UAE.S GSO 9 as the labelling standard. The US International Trade Administration's UAE guide (August 2025) says labels must be in Arabic, or Arabic and English; approved Arabic stickers are accepted; and production and expiry dates must be printed on the original label. Since 1 February 2023, imports worth AED 10,000 or more need a commercial invoice attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the UAE company submits it with the certificate of origin through MoFA's eDAS system, for a fee. Free-zone discharges are exempt.

Saudi Arabia

Registration

The importer must register its establishment and each food product on the SFDA's Ghad platform before importing. It also needs a licensed warehouse, unless it imports no more than five shipments and 2,000 kg a year. SFDA also applies its list of food establishments exporting to the Kingdom.

Halal

SFDA asks for a halal certificate for products that need one under its conditions, and for any product whose label carries a halal word or logo. Meat, poultry and raw gelatine also need a halal slaughter certificate. Both must come from bodies the Saudi Halal Center recognises and lists. A halal certificate is valid for three years; a consignment certificate goes with each shipment that needs one.

Labels and dates

Under SFDA.FD/GSO 9, labels must be in Arabic, and any other language must match the Arabic. English labels are allowed only for products imported for manufacturing or for restaurant kitchens, against a commitment filed on Fasah. Expiry dates follow SFDA.FD 150-1 (mandatory periods) and SFDA.FD/GSO 150-2 (voluntary periods). The invoice must show quantities, expiry dates and batch numbers.

Clearance

ZATCA asks for the customs declaration on Fasah at least 48 hours before arrival, with the commercial invoice, bill of lading and certificate of origin, unless origin is clearly established. SFDA's documents, such as health and phytosanitary certificates where required, also go through Fasah. SFDA may sample the shipment at the importer's cost.

Gulf standards and the other GCC states

The GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) issues technical regulations that member states adopt, sometimes under their own code (SFDA.FD/GSO, UAE.S). Current editions in the GSO store on 28 October 2026:

National editions can differ. Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain run their own registration, labelling and halal checks. Türkiye's agreement with Qatar entered into force on 1 August 2025; Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain have none in force.

Documents checklist

DocumentWho issues itWhen needed
Commercial invoiceExporter, usually the producerEvery shipment. UAE: MoFA attestation from AED 10,000. Saudi Arabia: with expiry dates and batch numbers
Certificate of originTurkish chamber of commerce or industry (TOBB network)UAE: attested in the UAE with the invoice. Saudi Arabia: unless origin is clearly established; ZATCA names no legalisation
TR-UAE proof of origin or origin declarationTurkish authorities, or an approved exporter on the invoiceTo claim the CEPA rate in the UAE
Health certificateMinistry of Agriculture and Forestry, provincial directorateUAE: food imports. Saudi Arabia: where SFDA's product conditions list it
Halal certificateBody registered by MoIAT (UAE) or recognised by the Saudi Halal CenterMeat and poultry; products whose rules or label call for it
Packing listExporterUAE: with weights, packing and HS code per item. Saudi Arabia: confirm with your agent
Bill of ladingShipping line or its agentSea freight; Saudi clearance requires a copy

The food export documents guide explains how each is issued.

Product notes

SFDA asks for proof of any halal logo or organic claim, as on tahini and pekmez. A gluten-free claim on nuts such as Antep pistachios and hazelnuts also needs proof. Additives such as sulphites in dried apricots or dried figs must comply with SFDA.FD/GSO 2500. For grains, SFDA lists a phytosanitary certificate and, from certain countries, a certificate of conformity; check this for bulgur and pulses. For olive oil and other oils, SFDA lists a certificate that the product is free from partially hydrogenated fats. See what we source.

Questions buyers ask

Does plant-based food from Türkiye need a halal certificate?

Not always. SFDA asks for one where its product conditions require it, such as foods with animal-derived ingredients like gelatine, rennet or animal fats, and whenever the label carries a halal word or logo. In the UAE, a halal claim needs a certificate from a MoIAT-registered body. Ask your importer whether its customers expect one anyway.

Must the label be in Arabic?

Yes, in both countries. Saudi Arabia requires Arabic, and any other language must match it; English labels are allowed only for goods imported for manufacturing or restaurant kitchens. The UAE accepts Arabic, or Arabic and English, and approved Arabic stickers. Print production and expiry dates on the original pack. Our private-label guide covers artwork approval.

Does the certificate of origin need legalisation?

In the UAE, the importing company has the certificate of origin and the invoice attested electronically by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for imports of AED 10,000 or more. Saudi customs asks for a certificate of origin unless origin is clearly established, and its import instructions name no legalisation. A letter of credit can add its own conditions.

Does the Türkiye–UAE agreement lower duties on food?

It can. The CEPA removes or cuts duties on most tariff lines, but each product depends on its HS code. Check the line on the UAE's Market Access Dashboard. The producer must then issue a TR-UAE proof of origin or, as an approved exporter, an origin declaration; without one, the preferential rate cannot be claimed.

Must products be registered before the first shipment?

Yes. In the UAE, food must be in ZAD before it is handled in the market, through Dubai Municipality, ADAFSA or the local municipality. In Saudi Arabia, the importer registers its establishment and each product on Ghad before importing. Ask the producer early for the label artwork and ingredient list.

Sending a brief to Lotvela

Lotvela is a sourcing intermediary in Gaziantep. Send a brief naming your product, whether it goes to the UAE or Saudi Arabia, and the certificates your importer needs. Lotvela approaches producers that fit, checks product fit, a free production window, export record and documents, and sends a dated shortlist with every claim marked confirmed or not confirmed. It is free for buyers: the producer pays a commission at the same rate for every producer, invoices and ships, and money never passes through Lotvela.

Sources