Transporting meat by air has become a crucial part of import chains to meet the high demand for various types of meat in the Kingdom, whether whole carcasses, cuts, or poultry like ducks and geese. Despite this, the process faces challenges that threaten the arrival of the product domestically with ideal freshness and quality. Therefore, we dedicate this guide to delving into the different aspects of the customs clearance process for these sensitive products, starting from understanding what customs clearance for meat at the airport means to the required procedures for completing the clearance process quickly.
What is Customs Clearance for Meat at the Airport?
Customs clearance for meat at the airport is a complex and precise process that ensures meat enters the Kingdom legally and safely. It consists of a set of procedures aimed at protecting public health and the country’s environment from diseases and pests for which meat is a fertile environment for reproduction.
Successful customs clearance for meat from the airport requires good control of the meat’s temperature during the journey, in addition to packaging and wrapping it perfectly to suit the nature of the products, as well as providing all necessary documents and certificates.
What is the Importance of Customs Clearance for Meat?
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority – the official body regulating the customs clearance process – aims to ensure the following by subjecting meat to a customs inspection process:
● Protecting Public Health: Customs inspection examines the suitability of meat for human consumption, ensuring that the meat is free from any diseases that may affect the final consumer’s health and that it does not pose a risk to public health.
● Ensuring Quality: The meat shipment should be fresh and of high quality until the moment it arrives at the airport and conforms to the health and technical standards in the Kingdom. This is where the role of ensuring the source’s reputation, adherence to hygiene and food safety standards, and strong experience in maintaining meat quality during transport comes in.
● Combating Smuggling: Smuggling opens the door for unlicensed animal products that may be harmful or prohibited from import, such as pork, mules, and donkeys. Here, customs clearance plays an important role in confronting smuggling operations that may occur in violation of regulations and systems.
What are the Procedures for Customs Clearance of Meat?
The procedures for customs clearance of meat in the Kingdom can be divided into 3 main stages, starting before the transport process and ending with the delivery of the shipment to the importer:
1. Preparing the Necessary Documents
Before the meat crosses the border, the importer must comply with the customs regulations and requirements of the Kingdom. These requirements include preparing shipping documents such as invoices, permits, and certificates, ensuring that all documents are accurate and complete to avoid any potential delays or penalties during customs clearance for meat from the airport. The authorities in the Kingdom require the preparation of 3 basic documents when importing meat, which are:
– Commercial invoice.
– Certificate of origin proving the source of the meat.
– Bill of lading containing shipment details such as quantity and value.
– Health certificate: Issued by the veterinary authorities in the country of origin and confirms that the meat is free from diseases, specifies the date of slaughter and the type of animals slaughtered, in addition to the average age for each shipment. The certificate must also contain a report stating that the slaughtered animals were examined 12 hours before the slaughter process.
– Halal certificate confirming that the slaughter was performed according to Islamic law.
2. Customs Inspection
Upon arrival of the shipment at the airport, it is inspected by customs and veterinary authorities. Samples of the meat may be taken for laboratory testing to ensure compliance with health standards.
3. Paying Customs Duties
The customs department may impose fees on the import of the meat shipment. The fees are determined based on the type and quantity of meat, and according to the customs tariff in the Kingdom, some types of meat are exempt from customs duties, such as fresh and chilled meat of the bovine species, whether whole carcasses or half carcasses with bone or boneless, while the customs tariff imposes fees ranging from 5-20% on other types of meat, such as frozen lamb, duck, and goose.
4. Customs Release
After completing all procedures and paying fees, if any, the customs authorities release the shipment and hand it over to the importer, who can from this moment easily transport their shipment to warehouses and customers.
How Can the Importer Ensure Smooth Customs Clearance for Meat from the Airport?
Effective communication and coordination are key to successful customs clearance for meat from the airport, as this ensures that all parties involved in the shipping and inspection process have the required information and that the readiness to respond to any obstacles that arise is high. These parties include both the importer and the exporter, in addition to the airline and customs authorities. Communication is through multiple channels that ensure quick information exchange and problem-solving, whether via phone or email. Packing, unpacking, and transportation activities also play an important role, as they should be coordinated to minimize delays, so that the meat spends the least possible time on the ground.
This requires importers to prepare scenarios to respond to unexpected situations such as equipment breakdowns and delays. Here, the customs clearance company Border Support plays an important role in coordinating between all parties in the customs clearance process and responding quickly to any scenario.
Border Support is a customs services and consulting company that pays special attention to perishable products such as meat and poultry, which has made it a trusted partner for companies dealing with time-sensitive shipments. It is also the ideal choice for companies looking for a reliable solution for customs clearance of meat from the airport, relying on a specialized team that provides the importer with relief from procedural complexities and expertise in regulations and systems.
