All imported food

•  Specific certificates for animals: animal products (meat and its derivatives);

•  Birds products and derivatives products;

•  Fish and fish products and their derivatives;

•  Phytosanitary: plant products and their derivatives and products.

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. 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 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.