Unlocking Access to Food Markets in Qatar

Food and beverage imports to Qatar have risen by nearly 15.8% in comparison with 2023 figures. To ensure food products imported into Qatar are safe and conform to relevant standards, the Ministry of Public Health – Food Safety Department (MoPH-FSD) has implemented the Conformity Assessment of Food Scheme. What is the best way to seamlessly enter this competitive and prosperous market?

The Conformity Assessment of Food Scheme applies to a wide variety of food products, including:

• Meat and meat products
• Genetically modified ingredients and products (GMOs)
• Organic foods
• Enoki mushrooms
• Prepackaged food
• Spices
• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Seafood
• Processed food
• Dairy products
• Vegetable oil
• Honey

Before importing into Qatar, businesses must obtain certification for these products from an MoPH-FSD-approved certification body. Exporters need to apply for a certificate of conformity (CoC) with the certification body and provide the required documents for the corresponding shipments.

Required documents include:

• WATEQ registration
• Invoice/pro-forma invoice
• Packing list
• Quality management system (QMS)
• Internal CoA (certificate of analysis/test reports)
• Product label (artwork)
• Label inspection report
• Evidence that product samples are analyzed in an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory and show compliance with Qatari technical standards/Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) General Standard Organization requirements

Exporters should note that any meat, meat product or product containing ingredients of animal origin must also supply a Halal certificate alongside the mandatory CoC. In addition, while products manufactured in countries of the GCC do not require mandatory CoC, food products re-exported will require a CoC.