Saudi Arabia (SA)

Australia regained freedom from High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) as of 13 June 2025 and information is available on the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) website. 

The department is working closely with industry and trading partners to re-establish trade to affected markets where trade is not already restored. Despite the return of Australia’s HPAI freedom status, export certification for some poultry and ratite meat, meat products, rendered meals, pet food, eggs and egg products may continue be affected for Australian product while trading partners undertake their own risk assessment processes. 

The Department will issue regular Market Access Advices (MAAs) to advise exporters of relevant trade developments and the status of export certification. Exporters are advised to refer to the latest MAAs for the most up-to-date information. MAAs can be viewed on the department’s website here: Egg export industry notices - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au).

The MAAs include an Attachment which shows countries and products affected. The Attachment specifically states which export health certificate templates for egg and egg products have been affected. Exporters should ensure they are reviewing the most up to date MAA and attachment with current market access information.

Markets that are not listed in the Attachment to the MAA should not have certification affected. The department recommends that all exporters of egg and egg products work closely with their importers to ensure any exported product will be accepted at border clearance.

For all enquiries, please email exportstandards@aff.gov.au.

Exporters are reminded that it is an offence to provide false or misleading information to the Australian Government.

1.1 Establishment registration

Establishments are required to be export registered to export eggs from Australia to Saudi Arabia.

Exceptions to establishment list and overseas registration

Preparation of goods at an export registered establishment and an export permit is not required if you are exporting the following, as these goods are not prescribed under the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021:

  1. (a) eggs from a species other than Gallus gallus;
  2. (b) egg products derived from eggs from a species other than Gallus gallus;
  3. (c) eggs or egg products that are animal food or pharmaceutical material;
  4. (d) liquid egg products exported in a consignment of not more than 10 litres;
  5. (e) eggs or egg products not covered by paragraphs (a) to (d) exported in a consignment of not more than 10 kilograms;
  6. (f) egg products in the form of a tablet or capsule;
  7. (g) eggs or egg products for export to New Zealand.
Note
However, if Saudi Arabia requires a government certificate for the entry of the above goods, a certificate can be issued by the department – provided that the goods have been prepared in an export registered establishment.

1.2 Overseas listing

Establishments are required to be establishment listed to export eggs from Australia to Saudi Arabia.

Initial listing procedure
Export registrationYes
Establishment listing required for Saudi ArabiaYes

To export eggs and egg products to Saudi Arabia, establishments require listing approval by the Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).

A list of approved establishments is published on the SFDA website.

Export registered establishments and exporters that currently export, or are intending to export, to Saudi Arabia should ensure the correct establishment details appear on the list prior to export.

Export registered establishment wishing to be added to the SFDA list can contact the Department at dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au.

1.3 General information

An import permit is required for eggs exported from Australian to Saudi Arabia.

The validity of the permit is subject to change as determined by Saudi Arabia.

2.1 Operational requirements additional to Australia’s export legislation

Saudi Arabia has no known additional requirements that differ from those required in the Export Control (Egg and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

2.2 Microbial and residue sampling and maximum acceptable limits

Saudi Arabia has no known additional requirements for microbial sampling of egg and egg products that differ from those required in the Export Control (Egg and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

Saudi Arabia residue standards

Maximum residue limits (MRLs) or import tolerances for residues of specific agricultural and veterinary chemicals approved for use in Australia may not exist in Saudi Arabia or may be established at levels lower than those established in Australia. Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants may also vary between Saudi Arabia and Australia.

Food business operators should note that:

  • These differences can be interrogated case-by-case by considering the Saudi Arabia standards and the Australian standards.
  • Any detection of a residue above the Saudi Arabia MRLs/MLs (as applicable) at the border may result in rejection of the consignment.
Note
Importing country residue standards can usually be found via the official webpages of their competent authority. Links to a limited number of export markets and Australia are provided on the DAFF website.

3.1 Cage, barn and free-range table eggs

For eggs and egg products produced for human consumption, use EX46SA certificate with additional endorsement 5132.

EX46SA Embedded endorsement 5132

The egg/egg products are safe and fit for human consumption. The eggs/egg products were handled in an establishment that has been subjected to inspections by the competent authority in the country of origin and implements a food safety management system based on HACCP principles or an equivalent system. Good veterinary practices have been applied in the use of veterinary medicines (including growth promoters) and agriculture chemicals in poultry, and any residues in eggs/egg products comply with importing country requirements.

3.2 Egg products that are not heat treated

There is no agreed certificate for the import of not heat-treated egg and egg products into Saudi Arabia.

3.3 Egg products that are heat treated

There is no agreed certificate for the import of heat-treated egg and egg products into Saudi Arabia.

3.4 Manufacturing grade products

There is no agreed certificate for the import of manufacturing grade products into Saudi Arabia.

3.5 Consignments under 10kg and trade samples

There is no agreed certificate for the import of consignments under 10kg and trade samples into Saudi Arabia.

4.1 Import permit

An import permit is required for eggs exported from Australian to Saudi Arabia.

The validity of the permit is subject to change as determined by Saudi Arabia.

4.2. Port of entry inspection and testing

Saudi Arabia has no known additional requirements for port of entry inspection and testing of egg and egg products that differ from those required in the Export Control (Egg and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

5.1 Packaging

Saudi Arabia has no known specific requirements for packaging in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

5.2 Labelling

Saudi Arabia has no known specific requirements for labelling in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

5.3 Shelf life

Saudi Arabia has no known specific requirements for shelf life restrictions in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

5.4 Use-by date

Saudi Arabia has no known specific requirements for use-by date in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

5.5 Shipping marks

Saudi Arabia has no known specific requirements for shipping marks in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

6.1 Refrigeration, transfer and loadout

Eggs and egg products must be transported to ensure their condition and integrity is maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Export Control (Eggs and Eggs Products) Rules 2021.

No additional documents required.

Not applicable.

31/05/2024 - Added High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza certification alert.
03/01/2024 - Updated information on establishment listing (section 1.2).
20/06/2023 - Updated residue statement to refer to importing country standards (section 2.2).
01/06/2023 - Major review of all content.