Importing food products to Saudi Arabia: duty, certification and clearance
Customs duty on food products imported into Saudi Arabia is 0–25% depending on the product; many staples enter at 0–5%, with 15% VAT applied on CIF value plus duty. Certification requirement: SFDA registration of both the product and the foreign facility; halal certificates for meat and derivatives; Arabic labels with dates and origin. Main supply origins are Egypt, India, Turkey, Brazil and the UAE. Sanad Global, a customs brokerage operating in Saudi Arabia, clears this category through FASAH and prepares the certificates before shipment.
What does it cost to import food products?
Three components: duty at 0–25% depending on the product; many staples enter at 0–5%, VAT at 15% of CIF value plus duty, and clearance costs (port handling, broker fee, storage after the free period). Freight comes on top and depends on origin: sea freight from Asia takes 12–30 days, from Europe 12–25 days, road freight from the UAE 1–3 days.
The HS code decides everything in this category: two similar products can carry different rates. Sanad Global verifies classification against ZATCA tariff schedules before the supplier is paid, and issues a fixed written landed-cost quote within 30 minutes during working hours.
Certification before shipping
Sfda registration of both the product and the foreign facility; halal certificates for meat and derivatives; arabic labels with dates and origin.
The rule that saves money: certify while the factory produces. Certification prepared in parallel with production adds zero days to the timeline; certification started after arrival means storage fees and, in the worst case, re-export. Shelf-life rules are enforced at entry: products arriving with less than half their shelf life remaining are routinely rejected, so production dates must be aligned with sailing schedules.
How Sanad Global handles this category
Sanad Global manages the full chain for food products: supplier document checks in the origin country, SABER/SFDA certification, sea, air or road freight, FASAH customs declaration under power of attorney, duty payment and delivery to the warehouse. One contract, one point of contact, and a business club of importers working with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.
Related guides
- Importing furniture to Saudi Arabia
- Importing cosmetics to Saudi Arabia
- Importing electronics to Saudi Arabia
- Importing auto parts to Saudi Arabia
Get a clearance cost estimate
Leave your number. A licensed broker replies within 30 minutes during working hours (Sun–Thu, 9:00–18:00 KSA).
Frequently asked questions
What is the customs duty on food products in Saudi Arabia?
0–25% depending on the product; many staples enter at 0–5%, plus 15% VAT on CIF value and duty. The exact rate is set by the HS code; Sanad Global checks classification before you commit to a purchase.
What certification do food products need?
Sfda registration of both the product and the foreign facility; halal certificates for meat and derivatives; arabic labels with dates and origin.
Where do Saudi importers usually source this category?
Main origins: Egypt, India, Turkey, Brazil and the UAE. Sanad Global also verifies suppliers and inspects goods before loading.
How fast can I get a landed-cost quote?
Within 30 minutes during working hours (Sunday–Thursday, 9:00–18:00 KSA): freight, duty, VAT, certification and clearance in one written number.
Get a clearance cost estimate
Leave your number. A licensed broker replies within 30 minutes during working hours (Sun–Thu, 9:00–18:00 KSA).