I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS
(MRLs)
II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION
A. Chemical residue standards:
Saudi Arabia has developed its own maximum
residue levels based mainly on CODEX Alimentarius Commission
standards.
B. Monitoring chemical residues:
C. Restrictions on use of waxes:
None. (The Northwest Horticultural Council
specifically asked the U.S. Embassy to comment on any religious
restrictions which could be enforced. The response was
"none.")
III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS
No information.
IV. TARIFFS
Saudi Arabia is a member of the Gulf
Cooperation Countries (GCC) and adheres to the GCC Unified Customs
Law. Apple, pear and cherry imports enter duty free under
GCC import rules.
V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS
A. Labeling requirements:
Per Saudi standard no. 617/1990 (general
requirements for fresh fruits and vegetables), the following
labeling information must be written in Arabic language as well
as a foreign language such as English.
1. Type and variety
2. Quality grade
3. The name of exporter, his trade mark and address.
4. Gross (total) weight and net weight at packing in
international units, or the number
of fruits.
5. Country of origin.
6. Date of packing.
7. The height of letters and numbers shall not be less
than 2 cm.
B. Licenses/quotas:
C. Currency Issues:
D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:
A phytosanitary certificate is required.
Imports must be free of Quadraspidiotus perniciosus
(San Jose Scale).
E. Other:
A country of origin certificate must be
presented at time of importation. This certificate may be
issued by a local chamber of commerce and industry located in
the area where the product was shipped.
VI. SUBSIDIES
Saudi Arabia produces a very limited quantity
of apples and pears. There is no domestic cherry production.
VII. MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES FOR PACIFIC
NORTHWEST TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY
Washington Apple Commission:
George Smith
Hertfordshire, UK
Voice: 011-44-1727-862074
Fax: 011-44-1707-226176
E-mail: wac@midsummermarketing.com
Northwest Cherry Growers/Washington State Fruit
Commission:
Simon Bakht
Arab Marketing & Finance Inc. (AMFI)
Beirut, LEBANON
Voice: 011-961-1-740378
Fax: 011-961-1-740393
E-mail: amfime@cyberia.net.lb
Pear Bureau Northwest:
Masood Butt/Wasif Hussani
Arab Circle Marketing
Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA
Voice: 011-966-2-631-8541
Fax: 011-966-2-631-8558
E-mail: ac.marketing@arab.net.sa
VIII. OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:
Governmental:
IX. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Saudi Arabia is a member
of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which includes five other
countries in the Arabian Peninsula: United Arab Emirates,
Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. The GCC is working to
create a common set of food standards and import requirements.
