Food Importers Guide

Food Importers Guide

English Version

 Food Importers Guide

1. Introduction

Ministry of public Health (MOPH), the competent authority responsible for imported food
controlinQatarrecognizethateffectiveandefficientinspectionandcertificationsystemsare
fundamentalcomponentsofthetradeinfood.

MinistryofpublicHealth(MOPH)hastheresponsibilityofensuringthatallfoodarrivinginQatar
complieswiththerelevantGCCrequirements1.QatarasamemberofGCCcountryfollowsthe
GCCregulationandrequirements.

2. Definitions:

FoodInspection

HalalCertificate

Examination of food or food safety systems by the competent authorities in the

importingcountry,forthepurposesofcontrolofproductioninputs,processesandfinal
productsthroughallstagesoffoodchain,toverifytheirconformitytothe technical
regulationsoftheGCC,orapprovedalternativeequivalentmeasures.

Certificate issued by the country of origin or country of exportation by an

accredited(GCC)Islamicagency(society),attestingthat:theproduct(suchas
meat, fat, gelatin, rennet, the broth) has been prepared , produced and
circulatedinaccordancewiththerulesofIslamicSharialaw;orthefoodwhich
contains animal products or byproducts is halal and has been produced in
accordance with therulesofIslamicSharialaw;andthatthefoodhasbeen
handledwithequipmentandinstrumentswhicharenotagainsttheteachings
ofIslamicSharialawandinaccordancewiththeGCCtechnicalregulations.

Halal Slaughtering Certificateissuedbythecountryoforiginbyanaccredited(GCC)Islamicagency

Certificate
(society),attestingthat:theanimalhasbeenslaughteredinaccordancewith
therulesofIslamicSharia.

Certificate (paper or electronic) issued by the competent authority in the

countryoforiginorthecountryofexportation,attestingthatthesafety(and
suitability) of the consignment of food is in accordance with the relevant
technical regulations of the GCC (including registration numbers of food
establishments),orapprovedalternativeequivalentmeasures.

Temporaryrelease Actiontakenbythecompetentauthority,underofficialcontrols,toallow,the
importer to transfer a consignment of food from the port of entry to a
warehouse,pendingissuanceofanofficialdecisiononrelease.
HealthCertificate

3. InspectionSteps:

1
All GCC food standards and technical regulations are available at GSO website:
http://www.gso.org.sa
2

 Food Importers Guide

1. CheckingofRequiredDocumentsandHealthCertificates

All consignments of imported food must be covered by appropriate documentation and

certification.
Allconsignmentsmustbeaccompaniedbyanoriginalhealthcertificateissuedbythecompetent
authorityinthecountryoforigin oranofficiallyrecognizedbody.
The health certificate should attest to compliance with the GCC requirements countries and,
whererelevant,animalandplanthealthrequirements.

Documentationissuedorapprovedinclude:

Customsdeclaration
Commerciallicense/Commercialregisterintherelevantfield.
HealthcertificatestampedfromQatarEmbassy.2
ListofContents.
HalalSlaughteringCertificateformeatandpoultry/Halalcertificateforfood
itemsthatcontainingredientsofanimalorigin.
Supporting documentation for any labeled claims (nutrition claims, health
claims,andotherclaims)asrequired.Nutritionandhealthclaimsforfoodshall
only be acceptable, if claim and wording thereof has been approved by
internationallyrecognizedscientificbodies

Temperaturerecordswhererequired
Anyadditionaldocumentationasrequested.
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
officialorofficiallyrecognizedcertificationsystem.
In case where a foreign Meat establishment (slaughterhouse/processing plant) is
interestedinexportingtoQatar,itshouldnotstartitsexportsunlessithasbeen
approvedbytheGCCortheGCChavetechnicalagreementswiththecompetent
authorityoftheexportingcountry.

2. InspectionandclearanceofimportedFoods:
1. Inspection and clearance of consignments of imported food carried out
accordingtoGCCrequirementsandwhererelevant,theprinciplesandstandards
ofrelevantinternationalorganizationse.g.Codex,OIE,IPPC
2. That includes: container check, temperature check, physical check, product
stability,labelingandsamplesforanalysis.
3. Reserve notification and detention of consignment: Situations where
consignmentswillbedetainedinclude:

Absenceofalistofcontents

Incompatibility of food items described in the certificate with those in the

consignment.

Thehealthcertificateisthekeyassurancecertificatethatmustbeissuedbytheconcernedcompetent
authority,HealthandHalalCertificatesmustincludecertainattestations(formsasexamplecanbe
foundattheendofthisdocument)

 Food Importers Guide

Absence of original copy of required health certificate and/or reference

numberofelectronichealthcertificate.

Therequiredhealthcertificatebeingdatedbeforetheproductiondateofthe
food

Thehealthcertificatebeingissuedafterthedateofshipmentofthefood

The food production date being before the date of the Halal slaughter
certificate.

Absence of original copy of Halal slaughtering certificate with the imported

meatorpoultryconsignments,andHalalcertificatefortherequiredfoodas
mentionedinsection3:Definitions.

Meatormeatproductsproducedinfoodestablishments/slaughterhousesnot
listed/approvedbytheGCCcountries.

Brokenorchangedsecurityseals/lockspriortoofficialinspection.

Evidenceofanyfraudulentcertification.

4. Temporaryrelease:Temporaryreleaseofaconsignmentmaybeallowedinthe
case of noncompliance with some import requirements not related to food
safety, Where allowable under GCC requirements for detained consignments,
theimportermayrequest:
Additionalinformationfromthemanufacturer/supplierorthecompetentauthorityin

countryoforiginand/orcountryofexporttosupportclaimsontheconformityofthe
product.
Repeatlaboratoryanalysisinanaccreditedlaboratoryandunderofficialsupervisionof
sample(s)thathavebeenfoundnoncompliant.
Reexporttheconsignment
Destructionunderthesupervisionofthecompetentauthority

5. AutomaticallydetainedFoods:Automaticallydetainedwhere:

Previousimportationshavebeenrepeatedlynoncompliant
ProhibitedfromentrytoGCCaccordingtothecompetentauthoritydecisionsintheGCC
members.
Hasalreadybeenrejectedbyanothercountry
Internationalhealth

 Food Importers Guide

HealthcertificatesForms

 Food Importers Guide

Healthcertificateforexportofprocessedfood
HealthCertificateforExportofProcessedFood
ProductstoGCCCountries

I.1
Consignor(Exporter)

Name

Address

( )

I.4

Consignee(importer)
Name

( )

Log

I.2

CertificateReferenceNo.
PlaceofIssue
DateofIssue

1.3

Competent/CertifyingAuthority
Address

Address

I.5

Countryoforigin

I.6

Countryof
Destination

I.7

Producer.

PackingEst.(ifapplicable)

I.8

Name

Address

HalalCertificate

ISOcode*

ISOcode*

( )

Name

Address

I.9

Source:

I.10

BorderofEntry/Countryof
Destination

CertificateNo:

I.11

BorderofLoading/Countryof
Dispatch

I.12

Meansoftransport/conveyance
ByAir

BySea

I.15

VehicleIdentificationNo.

I.14

TemperatureofFoodproduct

:
: HumanConsumptionDirectly:
Ambient
Chilled
Frozen

Other

IdentificationoftheFoodProducts

I.17

I.13

ByRoad

CommoditiesCertifiedfor:
AfterFurtherProcess

I.16

Name&DescriptionofFood

HSCode

TreatmentType

BrandName

ProductionDate

ExpiryDate

NoPackages

HealthAttestation
Food product is in conformity with the existing GCC requirements.
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 equivalent system.
Itheundersigned,authorizedperson,certifythatthegooddescribed
abovemeetsalltherequirementsmentionedinthiscertificate.

BatchNo.

TotalWeight

Responsiblebodyforsignature

OfficialStamp.
Name

Position

.

/
.

Date

 Food Importers Guide

HealthCertificateforExportofMeatandMeatProducts

HealthCertificateforExportofMeat
and MeatProductstoGCCCountries
I.1

Log

( )

Consignor(Exporter)
Name
Address

CertificateReferenceNo.
PlaceofIssue
DateofIssue

1.3

Competent/CertifyingAuthority
Address

I.2

I.4

Consignee(importer)
Name

( )

Address

I.5

Countryoforigin

I.6

Countryof
Destination

I.7

Producer/SlaughterhouseEst.

I.8

PackingEst.(ifapplicable)

Name

Name

Address

HalalSlaughteringCertificate

ISOcode*

ISOcode*

( )

Address

I.9

Source:

I.10

BorderofEntry/Countryof
Destination

CertificateNo:

I.11

BorderofLoading/Countryof
Dispatch

I.13

VehicleIdentificationNo.

I.14

TemperatureofFoodproduct

I.12

Meansoftransport/conveyance
ByAir

BySea

I.15

ByRoad

CommoditiesCertifiedfor:
AfterFurtherProcess

I.16

I.17

Name&DescriptionofFood

HSCode

TreatmentType

:
: HumanConsumptionDirectly:
Ambient
Chilled
Frozen

Other

IdentificationoftheFoodProducts

BrandName

ProductionDate

ExpiryDate

NoPackages

HealthAttestation
The meat/meat product is in conformity with the existing GCC
requirements.
ThesourceofmeatshallmeetOIEcriteriawhichrelatedtofitnessfor
humanconsumption.
Animalshavebeenslaughteredinaslaughterhousethatisapproved
bytheGCCauthoritiesandisunderthesupervisionoftheCompetent
Authorityofexportingcountry
Themeatisproducedfromanimalsthathavebeensubjectedtoante
mortemandpostmorteminspectionbytheCompetentAuthority,in
accordancewithGCCrequirements.
Themeatand/ormeatproductwashandledinaccordancewiththe
GCC requirements, at an establishment that has been subjected to
inspectionsbytheCompetentAuthorityandimplementsafoodsafety
management system based on HACCP principles or an equivalent
system.
Good veterinary practice has been applied in use of veterinary
medicines(includinggrowthhormones)andagriculturechemicalsin
liveanimals,andanyresiduesinmeatcomplywithGCCrequirements.

BatchNo

TotalWeight

.

.(OIE)

.

.


.
( )

.

Themeat/meatproductoriginatesfromanimalsthathavenotbeen
slaughteredforthepurposeofdiseaseeradication /control

Themeat/meatproducthasnotbeenderivedfromanimalsfedwith
processedanimalprotein,excludingfishmeal,accordingtotheGCC
requirements.
Responsiblebodyforsignature

OfficialStamp.
Name&Position

Date

 Food Importers Guide

HealthCertificateforExportof(milk,andMilkProducts)

I.1

HealthCertificateforExportofMilk,andMilkProducts
ToGCCCountries
( )
Consignor(Exporter)

Name

Address

Lo

I.4

Consignee(importer)
Name

( )

I.2

CertificateReferenceNo.
PlaceofIssue
DateofIssue

1.3

Competent/CertifyingAuthority
Address

Address

I.5

Countryoforigin

I.6

Countryof
Destination

I.7

Producer.

PackingEst.(ifapplicable)

I.8

Name

ISOcode*

ISOcode*

( )

Name

Address

Address

HalalCertificateforDairyProducts

I.9

Source:

CertificateNo:

I.10

BorderofEntry/Countryof
Destination

I.11

BorderofLoading/Countryof
Dispatch

I.13

VehicleIdentificationNo.

I.14

TemperatureofFoodproduct

I.12

Meansoftransport/conveyance
ByAir

BySea

I.15

ByRoad

CommoditiesCertifiedfor:
AfterFurtherProcess

I.16

IdentificationoftheFoodProducts

Name&DescriptionofFood

HSCode

TreatmentType

:
: HumanConsumptionDirectly:
Ambient
Chilled
Frozen

Other

BrandName

ProductionDate

ExpiryDate

NoPackages

BatchNo

TotalWeight

HealthAttestation
The milk/milk product is in conformity with the existing GCC
requirements
The milk /milk product has been derived from healthy animals that are
subject to the official veterinary service inspections and are compliant
with GCC requirements.
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.
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.
Responsiblebodyforsignature

OfficialStamp.
Name

Position

Date

I.17

.


.
( )

.

 Food Importers Guide

HealthCertificateforExportofTableEggsandEggProducts

I.1

HealthCertificateforExportofTableEggsand
EggProductstoGCCCountries

( )
Consignor(Exporter)

Name

Address

I.4

Consignee(importer)
Name

( )

Address

Lo

I.2

CertificateReferenceNo.
PlaceofIssue
DateofIssue

1.3

Competent/CertifyingAuthority
Address

I.5

Countryoforigin

I.6

Countryof
Destination

Producer.

I.8

PackingEst.(ifapplicable)

Name

Address

I.9

BorderofEntry/Countryof
Destination

I.10

BorderofLoading/Countryof
Dispatch

Meansoftransport/conveyance
ByAir

BySea

Address

I.12

VehicleIdentificationNo.

I.13

TemperatureofFoodproduct

IdentificationoftheFoodProducts

I.15

Name

ByRoad

CommoditiesCertifiedfor:
AfterFurtherProcess

I.16

I.14

:
: HumanConsumptionDirectly:
Ambient
Chilled
Frozen

Other

Name&DescriptionofFood

HSCode

TreatmentDerived
from(Domestic
flow,otherbirds)

)
(

ISOcode*

( )

I.11

ISOcode*

I.7

BrandName

ProductionDate

ExpiryDate

NoPackages

HealthAttestation

The eggs/egg products are in conformity with the existing GCC

requirements.
The source of eggs/egg products shall meet OIE criteria which related
to fitness for human consumption.
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 management
system based on HACCP principles or an equivalent system.
Eggs have not been derived from birds fed with processed animal
protein,excludingfishmealaccordingtotheGCCrequirements.

BatchNo

TotalWeight

.

.(OIE)


.


.

Responsiblebodyforsignature

OfficialStamp.
Name

Position

Date

 Food Importers Guide

HealthCertificateforExportofProductsofAquaticAnimalOrigin(Fishandfish
Products,includingmolluscs,crustaceans,andechinoderms)
HealthCertificateforExportofProducts
ofAquaticAnimalOrigin

Lo

I.1

Consignor(Exporter)
Name
Address

( )

I.4

Consignee(importer)
Name

( )

Address

I.2

CertificateReferenceNo.

PlaceofIssue

DateofIssue

1.3

Competent/CertifyingAuthority
Address

I.5

Countryoforigin

I.6

Countryof
Destination

Producer.

I.8

PackingEst.(ifapplicable)

Name

Address

I.9

BorderofEntry/Countryof
Destination

I.10

BorderofLoading/Countryof
Dispatch

Meansoftransport/conveyance
ByAir

BySea

Name

Address

I.12

VehicleIdentificationNo.

I.13

TemperatureofFoodproduct

I.14

ByRoad

CommoditiesCertifiedfor:
AfterFurtherProcess

I.15

IdentificationoftheFoodProducts

:
: HumanConsumptionDirectly:
Ambient
Chilled
Frozen

Other

Name&DescriptionofFood

HSCode

TreatmentDerived
from(Domestic
flow,otherbirds)

)
(

ISOcode*

( )

I.11

ISOcode*

I.7

BrandName

ProductionDate

ExpiryDate

NoPackages

BatchNo

TotalWeight

HealthAttestation
The products of aquatic animal origin are in conformity with the
existing GCC requirements.

The products of aquatic animal origin are derived from non toxic
species that do not cause any sign of disease.

Where aquatic animals are grown in farms or aquaculture production

areas, hygiene requirements are under the control of the Competent
Authority.
The products of aquatic animal origin shall meet OIE criteria which
related to fitness for human consumption.

I.16

.(OIE)

The aquatic animals have been fed from feed 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.
The cultured aquatic animals have not been fed with feed containing
animal protein excluding fish meal from different species than the
cultured one.
Responsiblebodyforsignature

OfficialStamp.
Name

Position

Date

10

 Food Importers Guide

PhytosanitaryCertificateforExportofPlantandPlantproducts
Logo

PhytosanitaryCertificateforExportToGCCCountries

:
CertificateNo.
: PlaceofIssue:
From:PlantProtectionOrganizationName: To:PlantProtectionOrganizationName:

Name&AddressofConsignee

Name&AddressofExporter

PointofEntry
( )
Quantity
Declared(kg)

PlaceofOrigin

: MeanofTransportation:

DescriptionofConsignment



Distinguishing
Number&
BotanicalNamesof
Marks
Descriptionof
thePlant
Packages

Nameof
Product

/ Disinfestationsand/orDisinfection
Treatment
: ( ) Chemical(active
ingredient):

:
Treatment:

:
Concentration:

Temperature
:
Date:

HealthAttestation

: Additional

Information:

/


.

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.
: NameofAuthorizedOfficer:
: DateofIssue:

: Signature:

11

:Stamp:

 Food Importers Guide

HalalCertificate/Halal
SlaughteringCertificateForms

12

 Food Importers Guide

HalalcertificateforExportofproductsofMeatOrigin
HalalCertificateforMeatProductsin

Lo

ProcessedFoodsexportingtoGCCCountries
1.
Certificatedetails

1.1 HalalCertificate
1.2
Source

ReferenceNo.

1.3 Date:

4
IdentificationofthemeatandprocessedfoodscontainingmeatProducts
Name&
Sourcefor
Descriptionof
Brand
Slaughteri
Expiry
No
meatand
BatchNo.
TotalWeight
Meat/Processed
Name
ngDate
Date
Packages
derivatives
Food

Fats&Meatderivatives(suchasgelatin)usedasoneof
the ingredients of the processed foods, have been
extractedunderthesupervisionofanIslamicAgencyin
themanufacturingcountryandapprovedbytheGCCon
the basis of the original Halal certificate of the
slaughtered animals issued by an Islamic Agency
approvedbytheGCCinthecountryoforigin;assurance
has been provided that the meat and fat derivatives
usedinthefoodprocessingarethesameonescovered
bytheoriginalHalalcertificates.

HalalAttestations

) (

Responsiblebodyforsignature

Name

Position

Signature

13

Official
Stamp
Date

 Food Importers Guide

HalalSlaughteringCertificateforExportofMeatandMeatProducts
HalalSlaughteringCertificateforexporting
toGCCCountries

Log

1.
1.1
1.3
2.
2.1
2.3

3.
3.1
3.3

HalalSlaughtering
CertificateReferenceNo.
Date:

slaughterhouse:
Nameofthe
Slaughterhouse
VeterinaryApprovalNo

NameoftheMeatCutting
Establishment
VeterinaryApprovalNo

Species(meat
carcass/cats)

)
( /

2.2

7.

AddressoftheSlaughterhouse

NameandAddressof
CompetentAuthorityIssuingthe

VeterinaryApproval
AuthorizedMeatCuttingEstablishment

2.4

3.2

AddressofMeatCuttingest.

NameandAddressof

CompetentAuthorityIssuing
theVeterinaryApproval
IdentificationofthemeatandmeatProducts

3.4

Brand
Name

Slaughtering
Date

ExpiryDate

NoPackages

BatchNo.

TotalWeight

HalalSlaughteringAttestations

6.

Source

TheAuthorized

5.
Name&
Descriptionof
Meat/Processed
Food

1.2

Certificatedetails

Slaughteringhasoccurredinanapprovedslaughterhouseand
underthesupervisionofthedesignatedIslamicAgencywhich
has been approved by the concerned authorities in the GCC
and in presence of the Islamic Agency representative, by
Muslimbutchersusingtheknifeandinaplacewhereswineis
notpermittedtobeslaughtered.
The fresh meat (chilled or frozen) originated from a country
andanestablishmentthatisauthorizedtoexportHalalmeat
toGCC;andtheanimalsourceisHalal.

.
) (
.

Responsiblebodyforsignature

Name

OfficialStamp

Position

Date

Signature

14