Date of issue: 10 June 2025
Date of effect: Immediate
Related MAAs: MAA 2025-03
Attention
- Industry bodies – Australian Food and Grocery Council, Australian Honey Bee Industry Council
- Export establishments
- Exporters
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Central and Regional offices.
Purpose
This Market Access Advice (MAA) is to notify exporters of new palletisation requirements for container-based trade (including edible non-prescribed goods) intended for export to Saudi Arabia.
Key points
- This Market Access Advice (MAA) notifies stakeholders of new palletisation requirements for container-based trade (including edible non-prescribed goods) intended for export to Saudi Arabia.
- The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has been informed that the Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) has released a circular (No. 6 of 2025) mandating the use of pallets in the loading and stowage of imported goods via shipping container (including milk and milk products) to Saudi Arabia. MAWANI has implemented this new requirement to increase efficiency of port logistics services, streamline product transfer and to avoid cargo damage during handling.
- This new requirement came into effect on 1 June 2025 and will be implemented gradually over a period of one year. Following this period, pallet usage will become mandatory. Exporters need to ensure that consignments expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia on or after this mandatory period utilise pallets for product stowage. The department understands that penalties and fines will then apply to consignments which do not utilise pallets.
- The department encourages all exporters to work with their importer to ensure that product meets the current importing country requirements.
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.