GCC Food Import Regulations

The Gulf Cooperation Council
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), is a coalition of countries bordering the body of water known as the Arabian (or Persian) Gulf. Member states includes Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

GCC member states are working towards harmonizing their food import standards. The food import regulations of GCC countries are based in large part on Islamic dietary law, formed in consult with the member countries' Ministries of Health and religious professionals. 

Understanding food import laws of GCC countries is a valuable tool to Muslims living in the West. In fact, from time to time, SPOTLIGHT HALAL consults the food import regulations of GCC country members. Because they are affluent, and import the majority of their food, GCC import regulations provide us with a good measuring stick against which to measure questionable foods such as glycerine and sugar alcohols that we encounter in America and other countries to determine whether these are permissible. 

Related Topics:
U.S. Law concerning kosher and halal food products
What is the market for halal products?

Food Import Regulations
Qatar:
USDA Gain Report #QA5002: "Qatar: Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards. Country Report: 2005." July, 2005. http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200507/146130306.pdf [PDF]

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
USDA Gain Report #SA3006: "Saudi Arabia Trade Policy Monitoring. Saudi Arabia Maintains High Import Tarrifs on Selected Ag Products Despite Joining the GCC Customs Union." 2003. http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200311/146085199.pdf [PDF]

USDA Gain Report #SA6006. "Saudi Arabia: Trade Policy Monitoring. Saudi Arabian Applied Tariff Rates for Agricultural Products." 2006. http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200605/146197877.pdf [PDF]

USDA Gain Report #SA6008. "Saudi Arabia: Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards." 2006. http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200610/146249408.pdf [PDF]

USDA Gain Report #SA6016. "Saudi Arabia: Retail Food Sector Update." 2006. http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200610/146249408.pdf [PDF]


USDA Gain Report #SA6017. "Saudi Arabia: Trade Policy Monitoring GCC Production Date Labeling." 2006. http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200610/146249213.pdf [PDF]