What do you mean by Importer?
Importer is the commercial or industrial domain (trade file) or (industrial file) importing raw materials for processing food or ready-for-sale food products.
 
Why is it considered necessary to sign up for the registration system (importers – establishments – products)?
It is necessary for the following reasons:
  • • Provides a database for all importers, establishments, and products.
  • • Enables you to process your work easily and quickly.
  • • Improves communication between SFDA and importers as well as food establishment.
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    How to sign up for the system?
    You can sign up through the following steps:
  • 1. Go to the following link: http://frcs.sfda.gov.sa
  • 2. Click on "create a new account"
  • 3. Set up a user name and a password.
  • 4. Select the type of establishment.
  • 5. Fill out the registration form and click on "submit".
  • 6. A message will be sent to your email containing an activation code.
  • 7. After your account is activated, you can complete your registration.
  • 8. Submit the form.
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    What are the documents required to be available when you register in the system?
    Saudi Local Importer
  • 1. Commercial Certificate.
  • 2. Authentication Letter click here
  • Custom Broker
  • 1- Saudi Custom Broker License.
  • 2. Authentication Letter click here
  • Foreign Est.
  • 1. Registration Certificate.(Issued By the Governmental Health Authority)
  • 2. Industrial Certificate.(Issued By Ministry of Industry or Commerce)
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    After signing up, what shall I do next?
    Once registration is completed, a request to confirm registration will be sent to the applicant via email. The SFDA decision regarding the application will be emailed to the applicant and it shall take the following responses:
  • • Accepted: your request has been accepted.
  • • Incomplete: the applicant is requested to complete the missing information within a week to avoid cancellation.
  • • Rejected: your request has been rejected because it contains false information or because of non-compliance.
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    Is it possible for me to use SFDA logo or my right to sign up for the registration system as a means to promote a product?
    It is strictly prohibited to use SFDA's logo for these purposes, and such violation may result in legal prosecution and execution of severe penalties as stated in the law.
     
    Is it possible for me to sign up several times for the different services provided by SFDA?
    YES, if using different trade files.
     
    Is it possible to delete from my profile a registered product which I no longer import?
    You cannot delete a registered product, but you are not obliged to continue importing such product.
     
    Is it possible to add new types of products to my list of registered products?
    YES, even after while.
     
    What am I supposed to do in order to use the BIP clearance service?
    First, you have to open an account in the SFDA. Secondly, you need to register the type of product(s). Then, you can use the service.
     
    Is it possible to refer the consignments to the customs brokers I normally deal with?
    YES. You can refer each case to a different broker.
     
    Do my customs brokers have to sign up for the system?
    YES.
     
    What shall be done if the broker, to which the case is submitted by the importer, does not have an account?
    You should ask your broker to sign up. It is better to check whether he has registered before you assign him the case.
     
    Does the system allow for importing a commodity for which more than one bill is shown on the import statement?
    YES.
     
    What shall be done if the actual amount of consignment imported is inconsistent with the amount indicated in the bill of entry?
    The broker is requested to change it into the actual amount.
     
    What shall be done if a remaining amount is destined to arrive in a future shipment?
    Sign up as a new applicant using the same values you previously entered while changing the amounts upon the arrival of the shipment.
     
    When and where to apply for a clearance?
    This service is provided around the clock. All you need is to have an online access. The submission of documents and inspection takes place at BIP during the working hours of the respective port.
     
    What is the expected role of the customs broker?
    He links the importer's application with the date and statement of import and the designated port. He also processes, prints and submits the application, along with the necessary documents, to the inspection department at the port.
     
    Is it possible for me to have an online access to the imported product examination results?
    YES.
     
    Is the customs broker the only point of communication with SFDA?
    NO. SFDA will communicate directly with the importer.
     
    What shall I do when importing a food product for personal use and I do not have a trade file?
    You are required to sign up in SFDA website, entering your National ID or Iqama, the type of product(s) and then you can carry on with the inspection and examination procedures.
     
    Who should sign up for the establishment registration system?
    It must be done by a person who has sufficient background about the technical and administrative information necessary to complete the registration and is officially assigned by the establishment.
     
    Are all overseas exporting premises required to sign up?
    YES.
     
    Are overseas exporting premises required to register all the products they manufacture?
    NO. This is a requirement that only the importer must meet prior to importation.
     
    What is the point in registering overseas premises?
    It facilitates the flow of goods from overseas premises to the BIPs.
     
    What does importer registration e-service mean?
    It is an online service which aims at building up a database for all food establishments, including companies, manufacturers, agents, and local wholesale distributors.
     
    What entities are required to sign up for the establishment registration service?
    The following are required to sign up:
  • • Food companies.
  • • Food manufacturers.
  • • Domestic agents.
  • • Wholesale distributors.
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    If a food establishment has an existing registration account in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Municipality, does it still have to sign up for the service?
    YES.
     
    Why is it necessarily important to sign up for the service?
    For the following reasons:
  • • It enables registered establishments to use SFDA Food Sector E-services.
  • • It enhances communication between SFDA and those who benefits from E-services.
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    Does the profile of the registered establishment have to be updated from time to time?
    YES. If you change your contact details.
     
    Where can I get tariff item number (HS-CODE) of the product?
    You may be obtained from several sources (the manufacturing company - customs broker - Department of Customs).
     
    What is the HS CODE or tariff item?
    Is a number consisting of 8 digits and is used to define the classification of products with the Customs Department.
     
    Got a tariff item is less than 8 digits, Is it accepted by the system?
    System does not accept any item tariff is less than 8 digits.
     
    Do I need to enter the data described HS2 and HS4 and HS6 and HS8?
    No. Description will appear directly from the system.
     
    If the description does not appear HS8. What does it mean?
    This means that you've entered the wrong HS number.
     
    Is there any change of the tariff for the year 2012?
    Yes, have been modified by the Customs Department has been modified in the body system as well.
     
    Do I need to fill all the fields for the registration of products?
    Yes, as long as information is available to you or you can get from the manufacturer.
     
    What is the image of card product?
    Is the picture of the whole product data envelope before printing (ArtWork).
     
    How do I get the best picture of the card product?
    From the manufacturer.
     
    What do you mean in the product?
    Is just an image of the product after packaging (snap shot).
     
    What is the number of credit or the Approval No.?
    Is the number of adoption of the manufacturing company in the country issued by a governmental regulatory.
     
    What is the drained weight?
    Is the weight of solid food material of the net weight (solid + liquid) and are always less than the net weight.
     
    What are the fields of countries?
    Country of origin: the country that originated from the raw material. Country of production: the country that has been manufacturing the product. Packing country: the country that have been filling the product without any manufacturing processes on the product.
     
    What if the data differed in the mandate of the Registrar in the system?
    Application shall be rejected.
     
    Question
    Answer
     
    Where do I send my letter of authorization? And to whom?
    When you register on the site, download the letter electronically in the field provided.
     
    What if the product does not have a barcode number?
    Enter the number 0 in the field of barcode.
     
    Is the barcode changes with batch number or expiry date or batch?
    No, but it is fixed to the attributes of the product on production is not linked, there may sometimes variable bar code or batch by batch products, in this case do not write in this barcode.
     
    Is it possible to write the product name in English?
    No. It should be in Arabic as shown in the label.
     
    Do I write brand name with the product name?
    No.
     
    If I have one brand, what should I write in the field is the Trade Mark?
    If there is more than a trademark or brand name on the product. Write one of them in brand name field and the other on the trademark field. In the case of one Trademark or one brand, Name type them in both fields..
     
    Is it possible to write the country of origin, in the product name (class) field?
    No.
     
    Is it possible to write the Net weight , in the product name (class) field?
    No.
     
    What is the maximum file size of images?
    The fullest extent of the images is 1 MB.
     
    What is the field of warnings?
    Is a field that enables to write any warning written on the Label or the product. (ie, over-use of the product may cause allergic reactions - or not used for children less than 12 months - contains nuts etc. ........ ).
     
    What are the controls according to product registration fields?

    controls data recording products as follows:

  • 1- Name of the product field (product name)

  • a. Registering Food Items only.
  • b. Writing the product name in Arabic language.
  • c. Writing the product name as it’s written on the product label.
  • d. Do not write the product name in English language alongside Arabic (Arabic only).
  • e. Do not write the weight with the product name.
  • f. Do not write the brand name with the product name.
  • g. Do not write the Trade Mark with the product name.
  • h. Do not write the country of origin with the product name.
  • i. Do not write any description of the product on the label.

  • 2 - barcode field

  • a. Do not leave a space, or writing (-) between the barcode numbers.
  • b. In case of absence of bar code, please write (0).
  • c. Write the product barcode in the rest of the fields.

  • 3- Trade Mark Field.

  • a. If the company is not Arabic, write the Trade Mark in English.
  • b. Do not write the product name in the field of Trade Mark .
  • c. In case of absence of the Trade Mark , please write manufacturer name.
  • d. Do not merge more than one mark in the field of Trade Mark.
  • e. If there was only one Trade Mark, please write Trade Mark in the field of brand.

  • 4 - Brand field

  • a. If the company is not Arabic, write the Brand name in English.
  • b. Do not write the product name in the brand field.
  • c. In case of absence of the Brand name, please write manufacturer name.
  • d. Do not merge more than one Brand in the field of Brand name.
  • f. If there was only one Brand, please write the Brand name in the field of Trade Mark.

  • 5 – HS code field

  • a. Write HS code that matches the product to be registered.
  • b. In case if (HS8) for HS code does not appear, it means that the entered figure is wrong.

  • 6 - Drain Weight field

  • a. In the case of solid and liquid material in the product record Drain Weight.
  • b. Drained weight should be less than the net weight,

  • 7 - Type of packaging field

  • a. Choose the kind of packaging of the product that will be recording data and not for the outer or inside carton.

  • 8 – Producer or manufacturing company field

  • a. If the company not Arabic, write the company name in English.

  • 9 – Approval number for the Producer or manufacturing

  • a. You should write the approval number for the Producer or manufacturing for meat products, poultry and fish.

  • 10 - Food Label Image field

  • a. It should be a clear relationship between the food Label Image and the food image.
  • b. It should be a clear relationship between the food label image and the product data which recorded in all the fields
  • (weight - Type of packaging ..... etc).
  • c. Be a product card (class) contains the basic data (name of the product - the country of origin - Manufacturing - Packaging - weight -
  • plug-in Arabic - English language components - ... etc)
  • d. Food label imagee should be clear and from all sides.
  • e. Food label imagee should be clear to read.
  • f. You may obtain a copy of product card (class) of the manufacturer (Art Work).

  • 11 - food image field

  • a. It should be a clear relationship between the food Label Image and the food image.
  • b. It should be a clear relationship between the food label image and the product data which recorded in all the fields
  • (weight - Type of packaging ..... etc
  • c. Food image should shows the type of product packaging.
  • d. Food image should be clear.
  • e. Registering the product which relate it to the Food image of (the products) not for the carton.
  • f. Food image should for one product.
  • g. You may obtain a copy of the food image product from the manufacturer.
  • h. Do not download the food label image in the field of food image.
  • i. Do not repeat the download of the food label Image in the field of food image.
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    How do I get SHELF LIFE for all food products?
    You can get the SHELF LIFE of the food products by referring to GCC standard No. (GSO 150/2007) entitled (Expiration Periods of food Products)
     
    How do I get the food label requirements?
    You could do that by referring to GCC Standard No.(GSO 9/2007) entitled (Labelling of prepackaged food stuffs)
     
    How do I get these Standards?
    You could obtain these Standards using the following link: http://www.gso.org.sa/standards