Frozen fish export from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia
Frozen hilsa, rui, katla, pangas and koi, block or IQF at minus twenty-five, shipped in reefer for buyers serving South Asian retail and foodservice. On the Saudi Arabia lane, clearance runs through SABER and FASAH.
| HS code | 0303.19 |
|---|---|
| Freight mode | Sea (reefer) |
| Transit time | 10-14 days |
| Gateways | Jeddah (JED), Riyadh (RUH) and Dammam (DMM) air; Jeddah Islamic Port sea |
| Temperature | -25 C core, unbroken cold chain |
| Packing | 10 kg or 20 kg master carton with inner poly liner |
| Minimum order | 1 x 20 ft reefer, approximately 20 MT |
| Season | Year round; hilsa peaks July to October |
| Entry system | SABER and FASAH |
| Regulator | Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) |
Compliance route into Saudi Arabia
SFDA product registration
Food products are registered with SFDA before first shipment. We prepare the technical file: specification, shelf life, label artwork and laboratory results.
SABER certificate of conformity
A shipment certificate of conformity is issued per consignment through the SABER platform, coordinated with your conformity assessment body.
Remaining shelf life
SFDA requires a minimum proportion of shelf life to remain at entry. Production dates are planned against the flight or sailing so consignments land well inside the window.
Arabic labelling
Arabic is mandatory on retail packs, with production and expiry dates in the prescribed format.
Why this lane works for frozen fish
Saudi Arabia buyers on this line are typically wholesale importers, supermarket chains, catering and labour-camp caterers. On the sea (reefer) route the consignment is 10-14 days from Dhaka, which for a product with a shelf life of 18 months at -18 c or colder leaves ample selling time on arrival. Supply runs year round, so a standing weekly or fortnightly booking is straightforward to hold.
Full grading, packing and variety detail is on the Frozen fish product page; the entry rules and document set for every line into this country are on the Saudi Arabia market page.
Documents that travel with the consignment
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Air waybill or bill of lading
- Certificate of origin
- Phytosanitary or health certificate
- Halal certificate where applicable
- SABER certificate of conformity
Questions on this lane
What paperwork does frozen fish need to enter Saudi Arabia?
Commercial invoice, Packing list, Air waybill or bill of lading, Certificate of origin, Phytosanitary or health certificate, Halal certificate where applicable, SABER certificate of conformity. Clearance runs through SABER and FASAH, administered by Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
What is the minimum order on this lane?
1 x 20 ft reefer, approximately 20 MT. First orders are often mixed with other lines so you can test several products in one consignment.
How long does the shipment take?
10-14 days on the sea (reefer) route, plus clearance at Jeddah (JED), Riyadh (RUH) and Dammam (DMM) air.
Import rules change without much notice. Use this as a working checklist and confirm the live position with us and your customs broker before contracting.