Halal certification is a mandatory requirement for Indian food and meat exports to all Gulf countries — UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. However, Gulf countries differ in which Halal certification bodies they recognize, and using the wrong certifying body can lead to customs rejection even if the product is genuinely Halal.
For exports to Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca, Medina, Al Khobar), the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) maintains a list of approved Halal certification bodies. Key SFDA-recognized Indian bodies include Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust, APEDA-approved certification bodies, Halal India, and several regional Islamic organizations. Certification must be in Arabic and English.
For exports to the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates), the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) regulates Halal requirements. ESMA maintains its own list of recognized Halal certification bodies. Internationally recognized bodies like IFANCA, HMC, and several Indian bodies are accepted. Dubai Municipality (DM) also has specific requirements for food imports.
For Qatar (Doha), Kuwait, and Bahrain, the Halal certification requirements are based on GCC standards, and major SFDA and ESMA-recognized bodies are generally accepted, though individual country food authorities should be confirmed.
At 3Hatz India Pvt. Ltd., we source Indian food products from manufacturers that hold Halal certification from Gulf-recognized bodies — ensuring that your Halal certificates will be accepted at UAE, Saudi, Qatari, and other Gulf customs without issues.