Saudi Arabia and GCC Food Packaging Import Requirements 2026
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman — represents one of the most dynamic food packaging markets globally. The GCC packaging market is valued at approximately $16 billion in 2025, growing to over $20 billion by 2031, with Saudi Arabia commanding over 54% of regional demand. High per-capita food consumption, a booming food service industry driven by Vision 2030 tourism targets, and aggressive sustainability mandates (particularly the UAE’s 2026 plastic ban) make the GCC a high-priority export market.
This guide covers SFDA regulations, SABER certification, GCC food contact standards, halal packaging requirements, the UAE’s single-use plastic ban, and practical import procedures.
SFDA and GCC Food Contact Standards
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) leads food contact material regulation in Saudi Arabia, with harmonized standards shared across the GCC through the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO).
The core technical regulation is SFDA.FD/GSO 2231:2012, modeled heavily on EU Regulation 10/2011. GSO 1863:2013 is the specific plastic packaging standard, incorporating a positive list of approximately 885 substances from the EU framework with an overall migration limit of 10 mg/dm² or 60 mg/kg. Additional standards include GSO 839:1997 for general food packaging, SASO 2173/2003 for aluminum foil (purity of 99% or higher required), and GSO 1193/2002 requiring food-grade PE bags with recycled material prohibited.
All food contact packaging must display the glass-and-fork food-contact symbol. For Chinese manufacturers already producing to EU food contact standards, GCC compliance is relatively straightforward because the technical requirements largely mirror EU regulations.
SABER Certification: The Gateway to Saudi Market Entry
Every product imported into Saudi Arabia must pass through the SABER (previously SALEEM) electronic conformity assessment platform, fully operational since February 2020. The process has two steps.
First, a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) is obtained through an SASO-approved Conformity Assessment Body (CAB). The PCoC is valid for 12 months and covers the product type rather than individual shipments. The assessment includes documentation review, and in some cases factory inspection or product testing.
Second, a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) is required for each individual consignment. The SCoC is linked to FASAH, Saudi Arabia’s single-window customs system, and must be obtained before the goods can clear customs.
For food contact materials, the applicable technical regulation is M.A.-161-17-07-05. Working with an experienced Saudi CAB or a compliance service provider who handles SABER registration is strongly recommended — the process involves technical documentation that requires familiarity with SASO standards and the SABER platform interface.
Halal Packaging Requirements
Halal compliance for packaging has expanded significantly beyond food content. SFDA Circular 10130 AH (November 2023) broadened the Halal Shipment Certificate requirement to include all composite, dairy, confectionery, and ice cream products with animal derivatives, plus any product bearing a “Halal” logo on its packaging — even if the food itself contains no animal ingredients.
For packaging specifically, this means animal-derived substances in inks, adhesives, coatings, and lubricants must be halal-compliant. Problematic materials include pig-derived stearates in machinery lubricants, alcohol-based inks, and non-halal gelatin, tallow, or lard in any packaging component. Facilities producing halal-certified products must be segregated from non-halal production lines.
The Saudi Halal Center at SFDA is the sole scheme operator. Foreign certifiers must be accredited by the Gulf Accreditation Centre (GAC). The relevant standards are GSO 2055-1:2015, GSO 2055-2, and GSO 993.
For Chinese manufacturers, the practical step is to audit your production line for any animal-derived inputs — including seemingly innocuous items like machine lubricants and release agents — and obtain documentation confirming halal compliance. Many large Chinese packaging factories have already obtained halal certification; if yours hasn’t, the investment opens a significant market segment.
UAE’s Single-Use Plastic Ban: Final Phase January 2026
The UAE has implemented the GCC’s most aggressive single-use plastic restrictions. Federal Cabinet Resolution 380 of 2022 banned single-use plastic shopping bags nationwide on January 1, 2024. The January 1, 2026 expansion covers single-use plastic cups, plates, cutlery, food containers, and straws.
Dubai’s implementation under Executive Council Resolution 124 of 2023 has been particularly detailed, rolling out in four phases. The final Phase 4 on January 1, 2026 bans single-use plastic plates, cutlery, beverage cups and lids, food containers, and tableware. Penalties start at AED 200 and double on repeat violations.
For packaging exporters to the UAE, this ban creates substantial demand for compliant alternatives: bagasse and molded fiber clamshells and plates, paper and CPLA cups with compostable lids, wooden and bamboo cutlery, and certified compostable containers. Chinese manufacturers with established compostable product lines have a significant opportunity in the UAE market as restaurants and food service operators scramble to source alternatives.
GCC Customs and Tariffs
In January 2025, the GCC Customs Union Authority released the first-edition GCC Integrated Customs Tariff based on the WCO HS 2022 system. All member states now use a unified 12-digit HS code system, expanding tariff lines from 7,800 to over 13,400.
The standard GCC common external tariff remains 5% CIF for most goods including packaging materials (HS 3923 plastic packaging, HS 4819 paper/cardboard, HS 7010 glass containers). This relatively low tariff rate, combined with no income tax in most GCC states, makes the region attractive for importers.
Saudi VAT is 15% (raised from 5% in July 2020) with no low-value exemption — even small shipments pay VAT. UAE VAT is 5%, Bahrain 10%. Kuwait and Qatar have not yet implemented VAT. All imports require proper documentation through each country’s customs single-window system.
Market Opportunities by Country
Saudi Arabia: The largest GCC market at approximately $11.2 billion in packaging. Food service disposable packaging alone is worth over $1.6 billion. The Saudi Vision 2030 tourism expansion (targeting 150 million visits by 2030) is driving massive food service infrastructure development, with corresponding packaging demand. Local content requirements (“Saudi Made”) are rising to 85% by 2030, creating potential for Chinese-Saudi JV manufacturing partnerships.
UAE: The most regulated market with the strictest sustainability requirements. Premium positioning — compostable, certified, branded packaging commands strong margins. Dubai’s hospitality sector (hotels, restaurants, catering) is the primary demand driver.
Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman: Smaller markets individually but collectively significant. Generally follow Saudi/UAE regulatory trends with a 12–24 month lag. Lower regulatory complexity makes them good entry points for testing GCC market acceptance before scaling to Saudi Arabia.
Exporting to the GCC? GQ TH Pack supplies SABER-ready food packaging with halal-compliant production documentation, certified compostable alternatives for UAE market compliance, and full SFDA food contact certification support. Contact us for your GCC market requirements.