United Arab Emirates (AE)
Fish products for human consumption
1.1 Establishment registration
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (“the Department") is the Australian government authority responsible for export registration, inspection and certification of Australian food and agricultural exports.
All premises involved in the production of fish and fish products for export, including fishing vessels where fish is prepared for export must be registered with the Department. For more information or assistance with the export registration process contact the Departments Dairy, Eggs and Fish program at dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au.
Exceptions to establishment 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 (Fish & Fish products) Rules 2021;
- liquid fish and liquid fish products exported in a consignment of not more than 10 litres;
- dried fish and dried fish products (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 2 kilograms;
- fish products where fish or fish products are not the major component;
- fish or fish products that are animal food or pharmaceutical material;
- fish or fish products not covered by paragraphs (a) to (d) (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 10 kilograms;
- fish or fish products in the form of a tablet or capsule;
- Note
- However, if the importing country 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
| Initial listing procedure for fish products for human consumption | Required? |
|---|---|
| Establishment listing for United Arab Emirates | No |
1.3 Prohibited products
Australia does not have access for live and non-viable farmed seafood that has been fed porcine (pig) products.
1.4 Access for fish products for human consumption
| Product | Access? |
|---|---|
| |
| Finfish | Yes1 |
| Bivalves (for example, oysters, scallops, mussels, oysters, clams, cockles) | Yes* |
| Crustaceans (for example, crab, prawn, lobster, scampi, crayfish) | Yes* |
| Echinoderms (for example, sea urchins, sea cucumber) | Yes* |
| Gastropods (for example, abalone, periwinkles) | Yes * |
| Cephalopods (for example, squid, cuttlefish, octopus) | Yes* |
| Tunicates (for example, sea squirts) | Yes* |
| Crocodile | No agreed certification2 |
2.1 Harvest
Sourcing of fish and fish products
United Arab Emirates has no known specific requirements for sourcing of fish and fish products that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
Sourcing, slaughter and post-mortem inspection of crocodiles
Australia does not have access for crocodile to United Arab Emirates.
2.2 Microbial and residue sampling
United Arab Emirates has no known additional requirements for microbial sampling of fish and fish products that differ from those required in the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates or may be established at levels lower than those established in Australia. Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants may also vary between United Arab Emirates and Australia.
Food business operators should note that:
- These differences can be interrogated case-by-case by considering the United Arab Emirates standards and the Australian standards.
- Any detection of a residue above the United Arab Emirates 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.
2.3 Operational requirements additional to Australia's export legislation
United Arab Emirates has no known specific operational hygiene requirements that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
2.4 Premises and equipment
United Arab Emirates has no known specific premises and equipment requirements that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.1 Live fish
United Arab Emirates has no known specific requirements for the preparation of live fish that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.2 Non-viable fish
United Arab Emirates has no known specific requirements for the preparation of non-viable fish that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.3 Crocodile
Australia does not have access for crocodile to United Arab Emirates.
3.4 Packaging
United Arab Emirates has no known specific requirements for packaging that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.5 Labelling
Processed foods labelled as 'GMO-free' (or similar term)
It is a UAE requirement for foods labelled as 'GMO-free' (or similar term) to be accompanied by a statement from an Australian government agency in support of this claim.
Under the Export Control Act 1982, the Department does not regulate the use of GMO in processed foods. Therefore, the Department is currently unable to provide certification to support such labelling claims. Exporters intending to ship processed food to the UAE should consider the potential impact a 'GMO-free' or similar labelling claim may have on their market access.
Exporters should work closely with their UAE importers to determine importing country requirements and ascertain what documentation may be accepted by UAE authorities in relation to GMO-free labelling claims.
3.6 Shelf life
United Arab Emirates has no known specific requirements for Shelf life that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
4.1 Shipping marks
United Arab Emirates has no known specific requirements for shipping marks, that differ from of the relevant Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
4.2 Refrigeration, transfer and loadout
United Arab Emirates has no known specific requirements for refrigeration, transfer and loadout, that differ from of the relevant Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
5.1 Import permit
Exporters should confirm with their importer if an import permit is required for their product.
5.2 Port of entry inspection and testing
6.1 Live fish
Live finfish, bivalves, crustaceans, echinoderms, gastropods, cephalopods and tunicates
Aquaculture and wild-caught
For live seafood (excluding bivalve molluscs), use an FX46 Certificate as to Condition with endorsement 5116.
The FX46 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act & have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are:
- In sound condition
- Fit for human consumption
- Of Australian origin
'The animal product(s) herein described, complies/y with the relevant UAE standards and requirements which have been recognised as equivalent to the Australian standards and requirements as prescribed in the UAE/DAWR Memorandum of Understanding.'
Live aquaculture only (excluding bivalve molluscs)
Farmed seafood products (excluding bivalve molluscs) are required to be accompanied by a certificate issued / notarized by a UAE-accredited Halal certification body declaring that:
“The fish products of aquaculture origin have only been fed on feed material free from porcine animal protein"
These products also need to comply with documentation requirements under the Live Seafood section above.
Live bivalve molluscs
For export of live bivalve molluscs, use an FX46 Certificate with endorsement 5116.
The FX46 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are:
- In sound condition
- Fit for human consumption
- Of Australian origin
Endorsement 5116
The animal product(s) herein described, complies/y with the relevant UAE standards and requirements which have been recognised as equivalent to the Australian standards and requirements as prescribed in the UAE/DAWR Memorandum of Understanding.'
6.2 Non-viable fish
Non-viable finfish, bivalves, crustaceans, echinoderms, gastropods, cephalopods and tunicates
Non-viable fish (aquaculture and wild-caught)
For non-viable seafood (excluding bivalve molluscs), use an FX46 Certificate as to Condition with endorsement 5116.
The FX46 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are:
- In sound condition
- Fit for human consumption
- Of Australian origin
Additional Endorsement 5116
'The animal product(s) herein described, complies/y with the relevant UAE standards and requirements which have been recognised as equivalent to the Australian standards and requirements as prescribed in the UAE/DAWR Memorandum of Understanding.'
Non-viable aquaculture only (excluding bivalve molluscs)
Farmed seafood products (excluding bivalve molluscs) are required to be accompanied by a certificate issued / notarized by a UAE-accredited Halal certification body declaring that:
“The fish products of aquaculture origin have only been fed on feed material free from porcine animal protein”
List of certification bodies currently approved to provide halal certification for red meat.
These products also need to comply with documentation requirements under the Non-Viable Seafood section above.
Non-viable bivalve molluscs
For export of non-viable bivalve molluscs, use an FX46 Certificate with endorsement 5116.
The FX46 Certificate as to Condition contains the following attestations:
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the particular inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are:
- In sound condition
- Fit for human consumption
- Of Australian origin
Endorsement 5116
'The animal product(s) herein described, complies/y with the relevant UAE standards and requirements which have been recognised as equivalent to the Australian standards and requirements as prescribed in the UAE/DAWR Memorandum of Understanding.'
6.3 Crocodiles
There is no agreed certification for import of crocodile meat into United Arab Emirates. Exporters should confirm documentation requirements with their importer or agent prior to export.
Fish products not for human consumption
1.1 Establishment registration
The Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021 does not regulate fish and fish products not for human consumption. Establishments processing such products are not required to be export registered with the Department unless it is a requirement of the importing country. Exporters are encouraged to confirm the eligibility and import requirements of their product with their importer, or directly with the importing country competent authority prior to export.
Importing countries may require a health certificate be provided for fish and fish products not for human consumption. If a health certificate is required, contact the Department's non-prescribed goods program at NPGExports@aff.gov.au for further information.
1.2 Overseas listing
| Initial listing procedure for fish products not for human consumption | Required? |
|---|---|
| Establishment listing for United Arab Emirates | No |
1.3 Prohibited products
The Department is not aware of any prohibited fish products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check with their importers to determine if the products are permitted for import to United Arab Emirates.
1.4 Access for fish products not for human consumption
| Product | Access? |
|---|---|
| |
| Aquaculture feed | No agreed certification* |
| Animal feed | No agreed certification* |
| Crocodile skins and hides | No agreed certification* |
| Technical products and pharmaceutical material (for example, fish oil capsule) | No agreed certification* |
| Rendered products | No agreed certification* |
| Shells | No agreed certification* |
The Department is not aware of the requirements for animal feed. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check requirements with their importer or the United Arab Emirates competent authority prior to shipping any animal feed to United Arab Emirates.
The Department is not aware of the requirements for crocodile skins and hides. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check requirements with their importer or the United Arab Emirates competent authority prior to shipping any crocodile skins and hides to United Arab Emirates.
The Department is not aware of the production requirements for rendered products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check production requirements with their importer or the United Arab Emirates competent authority prior to shipping any Rendered products to United Arab Emirates.
The Department is not aware of the production requirements for technical grade and pharmaceutical products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check production requirements with their importer or the United Arab Emirates competent authority prior to shipping any technical products or pharmaceutical material to United Arab Emirates.
29/08/2023 - Updated residue statement to refer to importing country standards (section 2.2).
30/03/2023 - Content on this page may have changed location to conform to standard Fish headings.
30/03/2023 - Content on this page may have changed location to conform to standard Fish headings.