SFDA Does Not Issue Pre-Authorizations for Import or Clearance of Food Stuff Purchased via the Internet:

SFDA confirmed that it does not prohibit the transportation and courier companies from transportation of food shipments purchased via the internet, while it  emphasized that it does not issue pre-authorizations for import or clearance of food stuff. The normal legal procedure is to  refer the documentation of the imported food stuff shipments by customs to imported food inspection department at the point of entry or to the nearest imported food inspection department or center in the area .

SFDA announced that such consignments shall be subject to the necessary inspection procedures to ensure that they comply with SFDA requirements and regulations. All transportation and courier companies and respective recipients of such consignments shall coordinate with customs to refer the imported food documentation to SFDA inspectors at the point of entry or the nearest imported food inspection department or center in the area  to finish their procedures.

SFDA has warned earlier about purchase of drugs via the internet and that it shall not release any shipment containing drug or health or herbal product imported to the Kingdom via couriers without obtaining prior authorization from SFDA, according to the requirements and conditions of drug and medical products imports, broadcast on SFDA official website.

However, SFDA noticed that some transportation and courier companies were confused about this warning and applied it to food stuff as well, by asking citizens and expatriates to provide them with SFDA pre-authorization for transportation and delivery of food stuff purchased by them for personal or commercial purposes, through the internet .