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Food Importers Guide
Food Importers Guide
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
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
1. CheckingofRequiredDocumentsandHealthCertificates
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
Thehealthcertificateisthekeyassurancecertificatethatmustbeissuedbytheconcernedcompetent
authority,HealthandHalalCertificatesmustincludecertainattestations(formsasexamplecanbe
foundattheendofthisdocument)
Therequiredhealthcertificatebeingdatedbeforetheproductiondateofthe
food
Thehealthcertificatebeingissuedafterthedateofshipmentofthefood
The food production date being before the date of the Halal slaughter
certificate.
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
HealthcertificatesForms
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
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
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
.
.
( )
.
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
BatchNo
TotalWeight
.
.(OIE)
.
.
Responsiblebodyforsignature
OfficialStamp.
Name
Position
Date
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.
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
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:
/
.
: Signature:
11
:Stamp:
HalalCertificate/Halal
SlaughteringCertificateForms
12
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
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