Date of issue: 10 November 2026
Date of effect: Immediate
Reference Number: MAA2026-13
Related MAAs: MAA2024-01
Attention
- Industry bodies – Seafood Industry Australia, Seafood Trade Advisory Group, Seafood Export Consultative Committee
- Seafood Product Export Establishments
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Central and Regional offices
- Exporters, AEPI and NEXDOC users
Purpose
This Market Access Advice (MAA) notifies industry of an update to the establishment listing process for non-viable seafood products exported to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Summary of key points
Since 2021, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has required fish processing establishments to be listed and approved, prior to export. In late 2023, changes to importing country requirements to this market were introduced and the department has been working to clarify and streamline requirements to support the continued progression of establishment listings.
To obtain listing approval to export non-viable seafood to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, fish processing establishments, including registered vessels, are now required to complete a self-audit form and submit the completed form to the department for progression to SFDA.
Establishments seeking listing approval should email dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au to request a copy of the self-audit form, titled Health Conditions in Food Establishments and their Personnel Inspection Form.
Once completed, the form must be returned to dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au for review and endorsement.
The department will verify that all required information has been provided, endorse the form, and submit it to SFDA together with a formal listing request.
Establishments that have previously requested listing approval but have not yet been included on the SFDA establishment list, as well as establishments seeking listing approval for the first time, should contact the department to commence the updated listing process.
Micor
The Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) will be updated to reflect this market access advice. The department encourages users of Micor to subscribe to the Micor update service for a commodity-specific email that lists changes that have been made the preceding week.
Further information
Contact exportstandards@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.
The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.