Lentils

Country
Saudi Arabia (SA)
Scientific Name
Lens culinaris
Group
Grains / Seeds
End use
Consumption
NPPO Details
Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
Relevant Web Addresses
https://www.mewa.gov.sa/en/
Criteria Criteria Required?
Import Permit No
Phytosanitary Certificate Yes
Additional Declaration/Endorsement Yes
Protocol Market No
Consignments are to be free from pests, soil, weed seeds and extraneous material.


Laboratory testing

Consignments of lentils for export to Saudi Arabia must be presented for inspection. Each consignment presented for inspection must have certification from an accredited laboratory confirming through PCR test that it is lentils (Lens culinaris) and not vetch (Vicia sativa).

The department will issue a Certificate as to Condition (GX46) confirming the consignment is real lentil (Lens culinaris) and not vetch (Vicia sativa) based on the PCR test results presented to the Authorised Officer at the time of inspection.

Non-GMO certification

If certification is required (refer to import permit/NPPO notification), the exporter is responsible for ensuring that the consignment is accompanied by a Certificate as to Condition attesting that the consignment has not been genetically modified.

If requested, a Certificate as to Condition (Grain - GX46/Horticulture - HX46) may be issued for the consignment if specifically supported from information supplied by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) and where it is a government requirement of the importing country for non-GMO certification (refer to import permit/NPPO Notification).

The following text must be added to the additional declaration field when a GX46/HX46 template is added to the RFP:

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has advised the department that there has been no intentional release into the Australian environment of genetically modified product(s) listed on this certificate.


Saudia Arabian Lentil Standards

Consignments of lentils to be exported to Saudi Arabia are to meet Saudi Arabian Lentil Standards (GSO 1357/2002). The standard have tolerance for ergots, foreign matter and defective seeds as follows:
DefectsMaximum permissible limits, %

Foreign matter

  • Mineral materials and stones must not exceed 0.25%
  • Dead insects and their fragments and remain and other impurities of animal origin not exceed 0.01%
1
Serious defects1
Minor (slight) defects (Broken seed not exceed 3%)7
Seed from same type with different colour6
Seed from different type with same colour3
Seed from different type with different colour3
Seeds from different sizes3
Ergots0.05

Note: Total defects shall not exceed 75% of total maximum allowance of defects

Lentil consignments must not contain pesticide residues in excess of maximum allowable limits (GSO 382/1994 and GSO 383/1994). The MRLs used in Australia have to be used for export of lentils to Saudi Arabia as GSO 382/1994 and GSO 383/1994 do not specify tolerance specifically for lentils or pulses.

Exporters are to provide evidence attesting to the Saudi Arabian Lentil Standards (GSO 1357/2002).

Consignments of lentils exported to Saudi Arabia in shipping containers must be sealed prior to export.

Consignments of lentils intended for export to Saudi Arabia must be shipped directly to the Kingdom and not opened and repackaged in a third country.

Grain Trade Australia standards are to be used for the presence of vetch seeds in consignments of Lentils exported to Saudi Arabia.
Option 1 (EXDOC Endorsement 3187)

1) Consignment of lentils complies with GSO1357/2002 requirements.

NPPO Notification No. 11/2/5/297533 dated 12August 2015
06/07/2022 - Updated general requirements to include new non-GMO requirements.
Initial Uploaded: 29/07/2014
Reviewed Uploaded: 18/07/2026