المملكة: From registration until receipt… unifying the path of clearing medicine and food imports at the ports
The Ministry of Transport and Logistics launched, in cooperation with Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, an introductory guide directed to beneficiaries in the logistics sector, clarifies the operational paths and procedures for imports of medicines and food under the current circumstances, while providing practical examples to facilitate their application.
The guide reviews the procedures starting from the stage before the shipment arrives, where the customer must register with the Food and Drug Authority as an importer according to the approved conditions, in addition to providing appropriate storage space, especially for medicines that require dedicated refrigerators, while uploading the necessary documents, including a health certificate and proof of Factory, before the import stage.
Clearance procedures
At the import stage, the guide indicates the importance of creating a bill of lading authenticated by the shipper, and installing a device to track the temperature inside the container before completing the process of shipping the goods.
As for the stage before arriving at the port, the procedures include reviewing and submitting documents, including the health certificate, proof of the factory, and product documents, in addition to obtaining advance clearance from the competent authorities, and conducting a pre-clearance of the shipment by the Food Authority. And medicine.
When the shipment arrives at the port, the container is handled and passed through x-ray machines, then stacked according to its type, whether they are dry containers in the station’s courtyards or refrigerated via electrical delivery platforms.
The x-ray results show the condition of the shipment; The container is transferred to the detection area in case of suspicion, or is brought close to take samples when needed, while it is prepared for delivery if the results are safe.
This includes transporting the container to the appropriate yard, whether near food warehouses for dry containers, or to cold storage warehouses for medicines and refrigerated materials, subjecting it to examination by customs, in addition to examination by the Food and Drug Authority when needed or in the event of requesting samples.
And in the event of referral to… The laboratory issues a temporary clearance until the results appear, while the procedures are completed after the final clearance, which includes paying customs duties, refilling the container when needed, transporting it to the delivery yard, then paying the port and operator fees, booking a pickup date, and entering the truck to receive the container.
Fulfilling the requirements
The guide confirms the necessity of fulfilling a number of requirements, including receiving the delivery permit, printing the customs declaration, and pre-registering as an importer with the Food Authority. And medicine, in addition to adhering to the requirements for storing medicines and submitting documents before import.
With regard to medical devices, the guide clarifies the existence of two types of pre-clearance: the first includes the device documents, the conformity certificate, and the “Saber” certificate, while the second type is limited to the “Saber” certificate only.
The guide indicated the possibility of rejecting shipments after inspection or sampling, with legal measures being taken, including re-export or destruction, while temporary clearance may be granted for some foods until the issuance of Test results, in accordance with approved controls.
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