Requirements for Exporting Sheep to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Picture credit: Zoetis

As Australia prepares for the resumption of live sheep exports to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the end of October, we are reminding all producers and livestock agents of the critical role they play to ensure sheep meet importing country requirements. 

Saudi Arabia has strict conditions that must be met, particularly around scabby mouth vaccination, treatment records, and accurate completion of National Vendor Declarations (NVDs). Failure to comply risks jeopardising individual consignments and the future of this key market. 

Mandatory Requirements 

Please ensure the following steps are strictly followed for the preparation of consignments for Saudi Arabia: 

• Vaccination: 

• All sheep must be vaccinated against scabby mouth. 

• The batch number and expiry date of the vaccine must be 100 per cent correct and clearly recorded on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Vaccination & Vendor Declaration for Slaughter Sheep. 

• Where vaccinations are completed over multiple days, record the full date range (DD/MM/YYYY – DD/MM/YYYY) or each date individually. 

• Documentation: 

• NVDs and Vaccination Declarations must be completed in full and correctly. 

• PIC numbers on both documents must match. 

• The property address must match the address registered to the PIC. 

• Use full names and full addresses wherever required. 

• Proof of purchase (invoice) for vaccines must accompany the documentation. 

• No whiteout is permitted. Amendments must be made with a strikethrough and initialed. 

• Where dates are required, use the full date format (DD/MM/YYYY). Batch expiries can be month/year.  

• Submission: 

• When returning documents, include the PIC number in the email subject line for traceability. 

• Send in PDF format wherever possible. 

Accurate documentation is critical. Exporters and the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry rely on the information provided by producers and agents to attest to the health status of livestock and to meet strict importing country conditions. Errors or omissions put market access at risk and can prevent sheep producers from participating in high-value markets. 

Ensuring all vaccination and NVD requirements are met in full helps protect the reputation of Australian sheepmeat in international markets.