Abu Dhabi unveils a priority list of food items for expedited customs clearance at their ports.

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority and Abu Dhabi Customs have partnered to launch the Golden List of Food Products Initiative. This innovative mechanism aims to enhance trade flow and stimulate the business environment while maintaining food safety standards.

Under this initiative, companies whose products have an excellent compliance record will benefit from simplified procedures. Prior submission of an import application through the advanced trade and logistics platform "Atlab" is required 24 hours before the shipment's arrival. Food items with such a record will receive expedited entry through Abu Dhabi's border crossings.

For products to be included on the Golden List, five consecutive shipments must comply with approved standard specifications and technical regulations. A health certificate approved by the country of origin must be attached to shipments on the Golden List. It's important to note that food safety standards are not compromised due to the expedited entry.

Companies whose products are included on the list are granted priority for pre-release. This means that a pre-audit of documents is sufficient for shipments on the Golden List, without the need for visual inspection or sampling.

However, violations of product standards or food notifications against a product on the Golden List result in its immediate removal and subject it to usual control procedures.

The Golden List represents a means to enhance regulatory efficiency and achieve a balance between food safety and expediting customs clearance procedures for food shipments. Dr. Tariq Al Ameri, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, has stated this clearly.

This initiative is part of the emirate's efforts to improve trade flow and foster a favorable business environment. It's worth mentioning that food items not on the Golden List may still be imported, but they will undergo standard customs clearance procedures.

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Abu Dhabi unveils a priority list of food items for expedited customs clearance at their ports.